I already have a secret clearance. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ( 160th SOAR ), better known as the Night Stalkers, were flying in full force near Dam Neck, Virginia last week, hauling around Navy SEALs and . In 2015, E Company was credited with killing 340 Taliban and ISIS fighters in Afghanistan and Syria during 1,063 combat missions over an 11-month period, showcasing the effectiveness of drones when paired up with special-operations units. During the fierce battle, the Night Stalkers lost two MH-60 Black Hawks and had numerous other aircraft seriously damaged. Five men were killed, several injured, and one captured. Search on "160th SOAR" for other posts. Today, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment continues a sustained and active forward presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations at multiple locations in support of. I swam a decent amount and consider myself a strong swimmer; however, during my preparation, I didnt wear a vest or helmet in the pool. The regiment is exceptionally resourced for extensive and realistic training conducted regularly in a variety of environments. I was exhausted at the end of the week. SSG (Join to see) 29.7K. Can you give soldiers who are about to take it some advice so they can better prepare for it? The tactics and techniques of the 160th are based primarily around the aircraft that the force is using on any given mission. That, of course, limits the pool from which the 160th SOAR can draw recruits. SOAR is also called the 160th Special Operations Aviation Unit or Night Stalkers. It will overload you, and your ability to prioritize will be tested like never before. The MH-6 is only in the 160th SOAR. SOATB 101; Company B, Power Point Presentation, Bravo Company Officer Training, 8 December 2015, copy in USASOC History Office Classified Files, Fort Bragg, NC, hereafter B Company Training; CPT Conner M. Federer* and 1SG Jason T. Setler*, interview with Jared M. Tracy, 27 January 2016, USASOC History Office Classified Files, Fort Bragg, NC. Then you need a few outstanding OERs that demonstrate that you are quantitatively doing it all better than your peers and get at least 500 hours flying, or at least 50 hours Pilot in Command (PIC), then you volunteer. You're gonna drive the wrecker in the S&R section of the maintenance company and only weld whenever the command wants yard art for the unit. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world, ready to move at a moments notice anytime, anywhere, arriving time on target plus or minus 30 seconds. The MH-47 is the special operations variant of the CH-47 Chinook. Before a pilot is invited to be assessed by the SOAR, the packets must be reviewed and approved by a board consisting of an Assessment Officer, the Regimental Psychologist, the Regimental S-1 (RS1), a battalion commander or executive officer, the Regimental Command Chief Warrant Officer (if the applicant is a warrant officer), the Regimental Executive Officer or Deputy Commanding Officer, and finally the RCO. Im an instructor pilot and I didnt have a lot of time to study. Note: This article was originally written in 2016. The swim test was harder than I anticipated, even with as much as I prepared. read these instructions may negatively affect your in-processing into Enlisted Combat Skills. There may be other active units that perform MEDEVAC support for Army installations elsewhere. The 160th desires career-focused, team-oriented, and highly committed pilots. The CPT visited the SORB to submit an application to be assessed and trained as a Night Stalker. It will overload you, and your ability to prioritize will be tested like never before. Citing the specialized nature of the 160th SOARs missions, Bymer said the current end strength could not be released. However, throughout the six weeks you will be challenged with intense physical conditioning sessions. If you're looking to be a Night Stalker, you'll need to make hard work and professionalism your top priorities in your Army career early on. Enlisted Combat Skills, also known as "Green Platoon," is the first step to becoming a Night Stalker! Officer candidates must complete SERE before attending Green Platoon. "Our young NCOs want to become warrant officers and get out and fly. Finally, a board chaired by the RCO decides who will begin Green Platoon. After completing their current CAB assignments, those who passed the 160th SOAR assessment receive PCS orders from U.S. Army Human Resources Command to report to Fort Campbell.5 SOATB takes it from there. They lifted up and went nose down with the blades almost hitting the ground in front of them. As evidenced by the rigorous SOA recruiting, assessment, and training process, officers (aviators and non-aviators) wishing to serve in the 160th SOAR are held to the highest standards of excellence. Actually, the active Army does have some Lakota's (LUH-72). These pilots are assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment an elite cohort of Army helicopter pilots and crewmembers. Look at the foundational knowledge topics in your ACAT and you cant go wrong. ~The only thing hard in his life, and wife~ I think to myself, but after 160 miles with 90lbs, I'm too weak to joke around. Our units maintain compliance with DOD-wide policy for dwell time ratio and continue to operate at a sustainable level, Bymer said. If yes, are you in the Army? The training that pilot candidates go through includes desert, mountain, urban, and maritime flying; Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) and air-to-air refueling operations; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear operations. A single, end-of-course graded situational training exercise (STX) validates student learning in the four areas. In June 1988, the 160th SOAR flew into action. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. 160th SOAR (A) History The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and warfighting commanders. It was Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, the failed attempt to rescue 66 American hostages held in Tehran, that led to the creation of the Night Stalkers. The Night Stalkers' newest addition, the secretive Echo Company, flies the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system. As the Army Aviation population closes the gap on shortages, [Special Operations Aviation Command] is expected to have a larger recruiting population for warrant officers," Bymer said. Insider has learned that two women pilots have successfully completed Green Platoon and are flying with the unit. This includes training on weapons, land navigation, combat, and basic soldiering skills. But, when I did, I made the mistake of focusing on general aviation topics because thats what they tell you to double down on during the briefing. Those who wish to apply work with the SORB to complete their packets. At the end of they call theoretical course work, the best and most capable pilots are selected to move on to more arduous practical training that forms the pipeline into Russias special operations aviation units. These soldiers fly the DELTA Force and Navy SEALS into high priority U.S. secret missions. Want to know more about Army basic training, combat tests, and fitness requirements? Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway). Above all, remember the motto: Night Stalkers Dont Quit.. 160th will pay big bucks to have you as a medic. what is day to day life like? Soldiers in this unit typically work in small, tactical teams on the most varied and sensitive missions the Army undertakes. One of the biggest was the weapon we carried at the time in our aircraft, the MP-5 sub-machine gun. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. The MH-60 is the special operations variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk. Also, you get to determine the sleep you get during the course. Candidates must pass increasingly difficult runs and ruck marches to graduate, while the arduous "team building" day tests their commitment and mental stamina. During the longest helicopter assault in U.S. history, Englen's was the first helicopter into Afghanistan after . Combat Skills will challenge you in many different ways. With the information below, youll be able to dial-in your training for selection. I did alright on the Asvab and have always done well with mechanical things. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Company B, SOATB offers additional POIs to 160th officers wishing to change airframes. It goes without saying that it takes time to development the skills and syllabus needed to stand up an entire squadron of highly trained special operations aviators, but as Russia has restructured its defense spending strategies away from large platforms like aircraft carriers and toward more specialized and covert enterprises like submarines and stealth platforms, and increased emphasis on their special operations community seems perfecting in keeping with the best bag for the buck approach the Russian Ministry of Defense has taken toward new enterprises. Soldiers of the 160th have been actively engaged in the War on Terror since October 2001. My recommendation is to get with your ALSE technician and get a helmet and vest that they dont mind you putting in a pool then swim a lot with the stuff on. Upon selection, commissioned and warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers complete respective Basic Mission Qualification courses, known as Green Platoon, which are facilitated by the Special Operations Aviation Training Company. The Combat Skills POI is run by four committees: Land Navigation, First Responder, Weapons, and Combatives. The 160th SOARs aviators have remained in high demand since the start of the Global War on Terror, as well. The 160th SOAR is the world's premier rotary-wing unit and specializes in transport, attack, and reconnaissance missions, with special-operations units being their main customers. Archived post. He holds the unenviable distinction of getting shot down by insurgents in Iraq and then hunting them down alongside Delta Force operators minutes later. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern, Pacific, Africa, and European commands. 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