REGIMENT OVERVIEW
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the 'Night Stalkers,' is the Army's premier special operations aviation unit.
- Headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
- Motto: 'Night Stalkers Don't Quit'
- Operates MH-60M, MH-47G, MH-6M/AH-6M Little Bird
- Task Force Brown under JSOC for CT operations
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The 160th was born from the ashes of Operation Eagle Claw, where the need for dedicated SOF aviation became undeniable.
- 1980: Eagle Claw failure exposes need for dedicated SOF aviation
- 1981: Task Force 160 activated at Fort Campbell with handpicked aviators
- 1990: Redesignated as 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
- Crews fly in the most demanding conditions: night, weather, enemy fire
- Known as 'The Most Secret Airline in the World'
NIGHT STALKER STANDARDS
The 160th maintains the most demanding aviation standards in the military.
- Green Platoon: 5-week selection and assessment for all candidates
- MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird pilots are among the most skilled in the world
- Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flying is the norm, not the exception
- +/- 30 seconds on time-on-target (TOT) standard
- Crew members cross-train on multiple aircraft systems
AIRCRAFT FLEET
The 160th operates highly modified versions of Army helicopters optimized for special operations.
- MH-60M Black Hawk: Primary assault/attack helicopter with advanced avionics
- MH-47G Chinook: Heavy-lift for long-range SOF insertion
- MH-6M Little Bird: Light assault helicopter for urban operations
- AH-6M Little Bird: Light attack helicopter for CAS
- MQ-1C Gray Eagle: ISR/strike UAS
COMMAND EVOLUTION TIMELINE
CORE MISSION STATEMENT
Organizes, equips, trains, resources, and deploys Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
PRECISION SOF INSERTION
Delivering SOF to targets with +/- 30 second time-on-target precision in any conditions.
NIGHT OPERATIONS
Maintaining unmatched night flying capability — the foundation of Night Stalker excellence.
JSOC SUPPORT
Providing dedicated aviation support for Tier 1 SMU operations as Task Force Brown.
ATTACK AVIATION
Providing close air support through AH-6M and armed MH-60M platforms.
LONG-RANGE PENETRATION
Maintaining ability to insert SOF deep into denied territory using MH-47G Chinooks.
COMMAND INFORMATION
- Type: Special Operations Aviation
- Headquarters: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
- Established: October 16, 1981
- Commander: Colonel (rotational)
- Personnel: ~2,500
- Budget: Part of USASOC budget
- Website: https://go160thsoar.com
Advanced Air Defenses
Global
Near-peer integrated air defense systems threatening low-level SOF aviation.
MANPADS
Multiple
Proliferation of man-portable air defense systems to adversaries and VEOs.
A2/AD Environments
Indo-Pacific
Anti-access/area denial capabilities limiting rotary-wing penetration.
Electronic Warfare
Global
Adversary EW jamming GPS, communications, and sensor systems.
Operating Tempo
Domestic
Sustained high deployment tempo impacting crew readiness and retention.
KEY ALLIES & PARTNERS
AIRCRAFT MODIFICATIONS
160th SOAR helicopters are extensively modified beyond standard Army configurations.
- Advanced FLIR and targeting systems
- Aerial refueling probes for extended range
- Enhanced electronic warfare suites
- Reduced radar and acoustic signatures
- Specialized weapons systems
NIGHT OPERATIONS SUPREMACY
The Night Stalkers own the night — capable of operations in conditions that ground other aviation units.
- Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations standard
- Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) capable
- Low-level terrain-following flight profiles
- Urban canyon operations with Little Birds
- Shipboard launch and recovery qualified
COMPONENT COMMANDS
| Command | Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Battalion | Aviation | Fort Campbell, KY; MH-60M, MH-6M/AH-6M |
| 2nd Battalion | Aviation | Fort Campbell, KY; MH-47G Chinook |
| 3rd Battalion | Aviation | Hunter AAF, GA; MH-60M, MH-6M/AH-6M |
| 4th Battalion | Aviation | JBLM, WA; MH-47G, MH-60M |
| SOATB (Training) | Training | Fort Campbell, KY; SOF aviation training |
DATA VALIDATION & SOURCES
This intelligence platform utilizes validated, authoritative sources. All data has been cross-referenced and verified for accuracy as of the compilation date.
📚 PRIMARY SOURCES
https://go160thsoar.com
Official 160th SOAR recruitment and information.
https://www.defense.gov
Department of Defense SOF aviation information.
🔍 SUPPLEMENTARY SOURCES
DATA INTEGRITY NOTICE
This platform compiles open-source intelligence (OSINT) from validated government and academic sources. Information is current as of the compilation date and is subject to change based on evolving strategic situations.
- Classification: UNCLASSIFIED // OPEN SOURCE
- Compilation Date: January 2025
- Data Sources: U.S. Government, Allied Nations, Academic Institutions
- Prepared By: Paradigm Intelligence Ltd.