160th SOAR

The Army owes its modern night fighting aviation capabilities to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) who pioneered night flight techniques, shared in the development of equipment, and proved that “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit”, a motto the Regiment lives by. The unit originally formed from attachments of the 101st Avn Bn, 158th Avn Bn, 159th Avn Bn and 229th Avn Bn. It immediately entered into a period of intensive night flying, quickly became the Army’s premier night fighting aviation force and the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation force. Task Force 160 was officially recognized as a unit on 16 October 1981, when it was designated the 160th Aviation Battalion. Since that time, the 160th has become known as the “Night Stalkers” because of their capability to strike undetected during darkness and their distinguished performance around the world.

The 160th received its baptism by fire during Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada in 1983. Despite flying against a heavily armed Cuban and Grenadian force, the Task Force was able to complete its mission. Since 1983, the unit has responded to numerous missions at the request of the National Command Authority. The eminently successful MOUNT HOPE III operation in June, 1988, performed in the most demanding environmental flight conditions imaginable, clearly demonstrated the ability of man and machine to strike deep, accomplish the mission and return safely. Night Stalkers participated in Operation PRIME CHANCE, conducted sustained operations and ably supported a Joint Task Force under extraordinarily difficult and hazardous conditions. Aircrews of the 160th habitually operated 30 feet above the water, at night, using night vision goggles and forward-looking infrared devices. Operation PRIME CHANCE resulted in the first successful night combat engagement which neutralized an enemy threat while using Aviator Night Vision Goggles and forward-looking infrared devices.

Night Stalkers were called upon to spearhead Operation JUST CAUSE, the liberation of Panama. Soldiers of the 160th deployed from Fort Campbell during the harshest winter conditions on record into the sweltering darkness of Panama. Night Stalkers conducted successful pre-H-Hour combat airborne and air assaults striking the first blows to oust a hostile dictator and safeguard American and Panamanian lives. During Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM the reckless and senseless destruction of Kuwait was met by the swift introduction of Special Operations Aviation into the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Both operations proved the 160th’s ability to conduct complicated night and sustained combat operations as a unit against a determined enemy. In October 1993, while supporting the requirements of the National Command Authority, Night Stalkers engaged an unconventional hostile force under the direction of gang leader Farah Aideed. The soldiers of the 160th entered into an 18-hour firefight of intensity that had not been encountered since Vietnam. The dedicated efforts exhibited by these soldiers to overcome adversity and rescue fellow comrades once again demonstrated that Night Stalkers Don’t Quit. Most recently, the regiment again supported the National Command Authority during UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, validating the Adaptive Joint Force Package concept by conducting missions from the aircraft carrier USS America.

As the 160th has evolved, various unit configurations have occurred. On 16 October 1986, the tough warrior spirit of the Airborne and the tenacious determination of the Night Stalkers were joined as the Task Force further evolved and became an Airborne unit. With redesignation as the 160th Aviation Special Operations Group (Airborne) came the honored and rich tradition of the airborne soldier. The organization continued to grow and was officially activated as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in June 1990. Responding to an increased demand for elite highly trained Special Operations Aviation assets, the regiment activated three battalions, a separate detachment, and incorporated one National Guard battalion.

The courageous response of the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation unit has successfully deterred aggressive and provocative threats by those who seek harm upon our country, bolstered national morale and prestige, and supported national foreign policy goals. Today, as in the past, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) remains ready to defeat any threat.