160th special operations aviation regiment (AIRBORNE)
The 160th SOAR (A): The Night Stalkers
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is the Nation's premier military aviation unit. Operating under the motto "Night Stalkers Don't Quit," the regiment provides highly specialized rotary-wing support in the most challenging environments around the globe for the Department of Defense's elite special operations forces engaged in no-fail missions.
Unit Organization & Locations
The 160th SOAR is structurally aligned to rapidly deploy worldwide. The 1st and 2nd Battalions are primarily located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 3rd Battalion is situated at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, where they operate MH-47 Chinook heavy assault helicopters and MH-60 Black Hawk assault helicopters. Additional detachments and recruitment nodes operate across various global installations.
The Making of a Night Stalker
Joining the ranks of the 160th SOAR requires passing one of the most rigorous selection pipelines in the U.S. military. Prospective members must volunteer, submit a detailed application, and pass a comprehensive assessment phase.
Selected soldiers—whether enlisted, warrant officers, or commissioned officers—must first complete the demanding initial combat skills training known as Green Platoon. For flight-rated aviators and crewmembers, progression involves a grueling 15-to-17-week Basic Mission Qualification (BMQ). This advanced flight training covers specialized environments (mountain, desert, urban, and overwater/shipboard operations), aerial gunnery, aquatic dunker training, and multi-mode radar and aerial refueling procedures. Non-flight personnel, including maintainers, undergo formalized courses such as the AH/MH-6 Maintainer Course or CAAS Avionics, ensuring they can service heavily modified, highly classified special mission equipment.
Combat Lineage
Born from the ashes of Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, the unit was established to provide the U.S. military with an elite, night-capable aviation force. They have spearheaded some of the most complex operations in modern history:
- 1983: Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) The unit's first major combat test, where Night Stalkers executed combat assaults and close air support under heavy enemy fire.
- 1987–1989: Operation Prime Chance (Persian Gulf) Night Stalkers pioneered the use of heavily armed OH-58D Kiowas and AH-6 Little Birds flying from Navy frigates to protect maritime shipping from Iranian attacks.
- 1993: Operation Gothic Serpent (Somalia) During the Battle of Mogadishu, the 160th provided critical fast-rope insertions, close air support, and MEDEVAC under intense urban fire—a battle famously documented in Black Hawk Down.
- 2001–2021: The Global War on Terror The 160th SOAR was the backbone of special operations aviation in Afghanistan and Iraq, executing operations like the Battle of Takur Ghar and providing the infiltration platform for Operation Neptune Spear (the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden).
- 2026: Operation Absolute Resolve (Venezuela) On January 3, 2026, the 160th SOAR, flying alongside Delta Force, penetrated hostile Integrated Air Defense Systems and navigated dense jungle valleys to execute a highly complex infiltration into Caracas. The raid successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Medal of Honor: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric A. Slover
For over 40 years, the 160th SOAR flew the most dangerous missions in the world without a single member receiving the Medal of Honor. That changed during Operation Absolute Resolve in 2026.
On January 3, 2026, CW5 Eric A. Slover was the flight lead piloting an MH-47 Chinook carrying Delta Force operators into Caracas. Upon reaching the landing zone, Slover's aircraft was immediately engaged by heavy machine-gun fire at close range. Fifteen armor-piercing rounds penetrated his cockpit, with four striking Slover in the leg.
Despite sustaining significant, life-threatening injuries, CW5 Slover refused to abort. He held his aircraft's position in the direct line of fire to ensure every operator safely disembarked. He then intentionally maneuvered his damaged Chinook to allow his door gunners to deliver devastating return fire, successfully neutralizing the enemy threat before flying his crew to safety. For his extraordinary gallantry and selflessness, CW5 Slover became the first Night Stalker in history to receive the Medal of Honor.
Night Stalker Aircraft
Special operations aircraft are uniquely modified with specialized mission equipment, advanced avionics, and secure communications to conduct no-fail missions worldwide.
| Aircraft Designation | Common Name | Primary Mission Role & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current Active Airframes | ||
| AH-6M / MH-6M | Little Bird ("Killer Egg") | Light attack (AH) and light assault/personnel transport (MH). Highly maneuverable for urban environments and precision rooftop insertions. |
| MH-60M | Black Hawk | Medium utility and assault. Equipped with specialized avionics, terrain-following radar, and aerial refueling capabilities. |
| MH-60 DAP | Direct Action Penetrator | A heavily modified Black Hawk variant serving strictly as an advanced, forward-firing gunship to provide close air support. |
| MH-47G | Chinook | Heavy assault and long-range over-water transport. Capable of carrying dozens of operators, specialized boats, or vehicles. |
| MC-1Q | Gray Eagle (UAS) | Unmanned Aircraft System providing dedicated airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and precise strike capabilities. |
| Notable Legacy & Past Airframes | ||
| MH-60A / L / K | Legacy Black Hawks | Earlier iterations of the special operations Black Hawk, prominently used in the 1980s through the early 2000s, including operations in Somalia. |
| MH-47D / E | Legacy Chinooks | Predecessors to the 'G' model. The 'E' model introduced advanced terrain-following radar and larger fuel capacities for deep-penetration missions. |
| OH-58D / AH-58D | Kiowa Warrior | Briefly utilized in the late 1980s (Operation Prime Chance) for armed reconnaissance and protecting naval assets before the mission transitioned entirely to Little Birds. |
Honor the Legacy of the Night Stalkers
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