The Night Stalkers:
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

On April 24, 1980, Operation EAGLE CLAW failed before it ever met the enemy, when a blinding sandstorm contributed to the mission being aborted. Following unexpected encounters with Iranian locals and mechanical failures on two of the eight RH-53D helicopters originally slated for the mission, very little had been unfolding according to plan. Following the loss of another RH-53D (to mechanical failure, which had to return to base) and the mission being aborted, an RH-53D helicopter experienced a catastrophic collision with an HC-130 aircraft (loaded with additional fuel)—killing five Airmen and three Marines. All remaining helicopter crews on the ground in Iran were then ordered to abandon their helicopters and evacuate the staging area (known as Desert One) via the remaining EC-130s.

Standing up New Commands/Units

In the wake of this tragedy, the following commands/units were created: the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (initially activated as the 160th Aviation Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky).

In January of 1985, the 160th Aviation Battalion became assigned to 1st SOCOM, instead of the 101st Airborne Division. From October of 1986 to June 1990, the battalion and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group existed jointly, until being combined on June 28, 1990, into the 160th SOAR.

Trial-by-Fire

Throughout its history, 160th SOAR has had to earn its reputation and its trust among the Special Operations leadership. This trial-by-fire has included:

• Operation EARNEST WILL

• Operation PRIME CHANCE

• Operation PRAYING MANTIS

• Operation MOUNT HOPE III

• Operation JUST CAUSE

• Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM

• Operation GOTHIC SERPENT

• Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR

• Operation ENDURING FREEDOM

• Operation IRAQI FREEDOM

• JTF NEPTUNE (elimination of Osama bin Laden)

• Operation INHERENT RESOLVE

• Operation ABSOLUTE RESOLVE (capture of Nicolás Maduro)

For more on how the 160th SOAR became the trusted helicopter force for America's Special Operations Forces:

• "Inside 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' the U.S. Effort to Capture Maduro"—The New York Times

• "160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment: Historical Handbook"—USASOC History

• "How the Night Stalkers Are Planning to Survive in Future High-End Fights"—The War Zone