SSG (Join to see) 29.7K. Kyle Rempfer is an editor and reporter who has covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Each battalion also has a strategic composition of light, medium and heavy helicopters, all highly modified in designed to meet the units unique mission requirements. Sure. When selected, a soldier is then assigned to Special Operations Training Battalion based on their career timeline. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. At the same time, the helicopter flies at a very low altitude at a very high speed. From reading the information on the SOAR recruiting website, I am confused why it would be so difficult to be selected out of AIT . The numbers which were provided to you are a snapshot in time and are currently inaccurate and are not a true depiction of current strength," Lt. Col. Loren Bymer, Army Special Operations Command spokesman, told Army Times on Oct. 8. Soldiers of the 160th have been actively and continuously engaged in the combat operations since October 2001. Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. he Night Stalkers came to the limelight during the "Black Hawk Down" engagement in Mogadishu in 1993. Psychological Operations are also known by their nickname, PSYOP. It will overload you, and your ability to prioritize will be tested like never before. I fear no foes ability, nor underestimate his will to fight. Candidates must pass increasingly difficult runs and ruck marches to graduate, while the arduous "team building" day tests their commitment and mental stamina. i would like to go for crew chief for the MH-47 as well (currently in 15U ait) 18. They became the first helicopter pilots to use. has two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies; and 3rd and 4th battalions each have two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies and one MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter company. And there may be rain or snow around.. The 160th first saw combat during 1983's Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada, and has been a part of every major conflict since. and our Following flight school, the 2LT attended Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school before reporting for assignment to the 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. National Guard and Reserve Officers must contact a 160th SOAR recruiter to discuss any transfer requirements before beginning the application process. The pilots doing the real thing do the final student evaluations [BMQ Check Rides]. If you want to do the same types of physical training that put him in peak condition, check the ourAd Victoriam Trackon ourPara Bellum Athlete Program. Look at TC 3-04.4, Fundamentals of Flight, Chapter 5. Support Veteran Journalism . Only those most qualified, willing, and able to perform the unique and dangerous 160th SOAR mission sets are admitted into the Regiment. Going to Lewis for my next assignment and was told by a lot of old NCO's that the best way to go is to go to 160th SOAR and try out for green platoon. Going into this assessment I knew there were only two things I had control over: physical training and academic preparation. I categorize the assessment into three sections: physical, academic and emotional. The shortages were noticeable in the A/MH-6, MH-60 and MH-47 pilot communities, but are emblematic of the larger shortages throughout the Armys combat aviation brigades, from which special operations aviators are sourced later in their careers. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern, Pacific, Africa, and European commands. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. This year, Russia is celebrating the one-year anniversary of establishing their own iteration of Americas special operations aviation detachment. Note: IAW USSOCOM sanitization protocol for historical articles on recent operations, pseudonyms are used for majors and below who are still on active duty, unless names have been publicly released for awards/decorations or DoD news release. Think of it as flight school Basic Warfighter Skills (BWS) but on steroids. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider He developed a training plan and I stuck to it most of the time ;). By contacting a retired member of the 160th SOAR Regiment, I was told that the selection for 68Ws was very competitive, usually those who had years of combat medicine or EMS experience took the slots available. His 160th SOAR air crews had been going after Osama bin Laden since the beginning. I'm talking stuff like tracks, airframes, schools, duty stations, etc. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiments mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders. is located at Fort Lewis, Wash. Screening, SOAMIC (Flight Surgeons / PAs / Enlisted Medical). How are we helping American heroes unlock homeownership? The regiment is exceptionally resourced for extensive and realistic training conducted regularly in a variety of environments. 4 Responses to the personal invitations have been very positive. One of the biggest was the weapon we carried at the time in our aircraft, the MP-5 sub-machine gun. what is day to day life like? I did alright on the Asvab and have always done well with mechanical things. Those who wish to apply work with the SORB to complete their packets. That allows the 160th flight companies to check whether the pilots have been trained to the standard that they have come to expect.8 After completing Green Platoon, SOATB graduates report for duty with their respective 160th flight units. Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier. is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 4th Bn. The 160th desires career-focused, team-oriented, and highly committed pilots. McCurry said at the September event that finding pilots isnt the hard part its keeping them in the seat. This is what you expect when you get a ride from the Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), also known as the "Night Stalkers.". Go out and do it. Remain professional and keep a positive attitude at all times. Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. Im an instructor pilot and I didnt have a lot of time to study. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country. The pilots that earn a place in the 160th, or Nightstalkers as theyre commonly called, operate some of the most capabile military aircraft on the planet under only the most difficult of conditions low visibility, extreme weather conditions, and the constant threat of active engagement are just part of the 160th is built to contend with and Russia is increasingly aware of just how valuable a special operations taxi service of the sort can be. Best known for their nighttime flying techniques, Night Stalkers are dedicated to striking targets undetected on even the darkest of nights. Researchers want to prevent injuries in Soldiers before they happen, Ukrainian forces were spotted using guns from the 1940s as old weapons make a comeback in Russias bloody war, The Russian campaign in Ukraine is faltering, How a Green Beret achieved immortality during one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War, Pass a standard APFT and be within Army body composition standards, Have a Military Physical Profile Serial System Factor (PULHES) of 111211 with no physical limiting profiles, Four-to-10-mile road marches (with a 45-pound rucksack). My question is, Can I volunteer in reception once i report to my next unit at the welcoming center or drop a packet once I am at my actual unit? MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. These pilots are assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment an elite cohort of Army helicopter pilots and crewmembers. Made up of five specialized units, each bringing their own unique strength, Takes on the Armys most challenging missions, Requires extensive training to ensure physical and mental resiliency, They are combat experts who specialize in conducting raids within enemy territory, They take on high priority and high-pressure missions, They require Airborne qualification, a General Technical score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)the Armys placement testof at least 105, and extensive training, They are guerrilla warfare experts who use unexpected and unconventional techniques, They fight terrorists and insurgents abroad, They require secret security clearance eligibility, Airborne qualification, an ASVAB placement test GT score of at least 100, and extensive training, They are aviation experts who use cutting-edge aircraft to surprise enemiesanywhere and any time, They operate the most advanced military aircraft in the world, including Black Hawk helicopters, They are communication experts who persuade our allies and enemies to act in our nations best interest, They leverage cultural expertise, language skills, and military deception to sway opinions and actions, They require secret security clearance eligibility, an ASVAB placement test GT score of at least 100, and extensive training, They are diplomacy experts who help reduce instability and enable local governments abroad, They partner with key officials and leaders to better understand, help, and influence local populations. Company A, SOATB provides the Officer Combat Skills Program of Instruction (POI). The 160th SOAR(A) is comprised of a regiment headquarters, four battalions and a dedicated training company. Also, you get to determine the sleep you get during the course. Like other U.S. special operations forces, though, they normally deploy in shorter increments than their conventional counterparts. in 160th you just gotta not quit during the 6 weeks of green platoon and don't fail out of airborne school and you'll get into SOAR. Special Operations is the collective force made up of the Army Rangers, Special Forces (Green Berets), Night Stalkers, Psychological Operations, and Civil Affairs, whereas Special Forces (nicknamed the Green Berets) is an individual unit within Special Operations. One flies an MH-60 Black Hawk and the other a MH-6 Little Bird. All information is current as of that date. MAJ Jackson J. Dunbar*, Regimental S-1, interview with Jared M. Tracy, 26 January 2016, USASOC History Office Classified Files, Fort Bragg, NC. Americas 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is world renowned for its ability to get special operators into and out of the fight with stealth and precision. Note: This article was originally written in 2016. Test your physical and mental endurance and reach your peak potential as a Soldier and a person. 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. 160th SOAR, Power Point Presentation, Recruiting the Right People, 7 December 2015, 3, copy in USASOC History Office Classified Files, Fort Bragg, NC. Largely because of the Regiments effective assessment process, Company A enjoys a near-100% officer pass rate. After completing Combat Skills, staff officers report to their respective units while aviators progress to the two-day Dunker Qualification Course at the Allison Aquatics Training Facility.6, After completing dunker training, all aviators are transferred to Company B, SOATB. They are aviation experts who use cutting-edge aircraft to surprise enemiesanywhere and any time They operate the most advanced military aircraft in the world, including Black Hawk helicopters As an AH-6 light attack helicopter pilot, your primary duty is to learn the AH-6 helicopter and learn how to conduct surgical engagements with mini-guns and rockets. Since the unit's founding in the early 1980s, the Night Stalkers have participated in almost all of the US military's special-operations missions and campaigns. I made sacrifices for the extra sessions and longer workouts sleep and time with the family suffered for a couple months. Interested aviators sign up for an interview to discuss applying with the SORB. To become a Night Stalker, a soldier must first pass Green Platoon, an assessment and selection course, with one version for officers and one for enlisted. I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit. The SORB includes eighteen Night Stalkers dedicated to 160th recruiting. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. If I hadnt been physically conditioned to endure the lack of sleep, Selection would have crushed me. In general, our Aviation Warrant Officer population is a mature group. If youre looking to be a Night Stalker, youll need to make hard work and professionalism your top priorities in your Army career early on. Most aviation candidates have already completed SERE during training at Fort Rucker. Privacy Policy. This role requires timeliness, accuracy . These are the pilots and stealthy helicopters that flew SEAL Team 6 operators to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Its warrant officer 3 and 4 ranks were manned at 43 percent and 83 percent, respectively, according to the mid-July numbers from a source familiar with personnel issues who requested to remain anonymous. Upon completion of Green Platoon, enlisted soldiers undergo further training on their specialty before joining an operational battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. 160th Organization. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. In October 1981, the unit was officially designated the 160th Aviation Battalion. Aviators spend roughly two years as a basic mission qualified pilot before meeting the requirements to become fully mission qualified. The airframe-specific training lasts between 71 days and 85 days, depending on the aircraft, and it takes about two years for a new pilot to be fully mission qualified. i got orders for 160th recently and was wondering about the training and requirements. Your path to becoming a Night Stalker. Follow-on training with the battalion is commonly referred to as Green Platoon, which is tailored to each soldier based on their military occupational specialty and whether they are an officer or enlisted soldier. 160th SOAR(A) Combat Skills Train-up program Green Platoon/Combat Skills, is a six-week assessment and training program that teaches basic soldiering skills, i.e. Enlisted Combat Skills, also known as "Green Platoon," is the first step to becoming a Night Stalker! Your path to becoming a Night Stalker begins at https://go160thsoar.com. My recommendation is to keep your eye on the goal and dont quit. Whipping me, yelling "MUSH YOU ENLISTED DOG" as he drinks a barefoot bubbly hard seltzer. The regiment then became an airborne unit in October 1986 and was re-designated the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group (Airborne). The pilots stateside and overseas combat duty positions included Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader and battalion Assistant S-3. Insider has learned that two women pilots have successfully completed Green Platoon and are flying with the unit. As the Russians have found in their first year of training their own version of the Nightstalkers, operating at night and flying complex missions with an extremely high level of proficiency are entirely different things. People still want to fly, he explained. There is a thorough administrative and qualifications screening process that takes place before a soldier reaches Green Platoon. . Almost all army aviation pilots are able to fly with night vision devices, as well as in difficult weather conditions, explained Salyov. Requirements vary within each of the five units, but can include things like qualifying for a security clearance or having an ASVAB placement test score above 100. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. If yes, are you in the Army? You may go to the aerial range and shoot three times a week if you are on base.". I got selected to become a flight warrant and will go to WOCS in the fall. "Our young NCOs want to become warrant officers and get out and fly. A botched program to train Saudi pilots for war in Yemen cost a US Army aviator his life, Ukraine rejects Iraqi offer to mediate talks with Russia, Chinese ministers tour underscores closer ties with Russia, G-7 diplomats reject Chinese, North Korean, Russian aggression, US, allies stage drills as North Korea warns of security crisis, US sails warship through Taiwan Strait after Chinas drills. The Mi-8 helicopter is equipped with two winches, which allow to evacuate personnel from heights up to 60 m, said Salyov. This strategic organizational structure postures the 160th SOAR (Abn) to support the special operations forces (SOF) mission and training well into the future. It will take time for the Armys increase in aviation forces to mature into our recruiting population. They can take the 20-day MH-6 Advanced Qualification Course (AQC) or the 25-day MH-47 AQC. 20. 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. 6-8 months of helicopter training until you are BMQ (Basic Mission Qualified). In June 2011, a Distinguished Military Graduate of ROTC at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, completed a B.S. 160th Flight Surgeons, Physician Assistants (PAs), and enlisted medical personnel can take the Special Operations Aviation Medical Indoctrination Course (SOAMIC). The swim test was harder than I anticipated, even with as much as I prepared. Like Company A, their cadre consists of both active duty and contract personnel (many former or retired Night Stalkers), with the latter handling most of the daily instruction. I guard my units mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. 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 Combat Skills POI is run by four committees: Land Navigation, First Responder, Weapons, and Combatives. I would suggest actually being a medic for more than 5 minutes before going high medical speed. Zachary M. Ford, MAWTS-1 COMCAM/ Released). Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. But in the two years since then, the service only added about 30 pilots, and still had nearly 700 positions left to fill, according to data from August. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Reach out and we'll help you get there. U.S. ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND, "We Are the Army's Home - During the longest helicopter assault in U.S. history, Englen's was the first helicopter into Afghanistan after . (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway). Sacrifices for the extra sessions and longer workouts sleep and time with the SORB that! The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes roughly two years as a Basic qualified... An MH-60 Black Hawk and the other a MH-6 Little Bird was harder i! Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway ) their conventional counterparts an instructor pilot and didnt! 2011, a soldier reaches Green Platoon even the darkest of nights,... Crews also provide support to U.S. Southern, Pacific, Africa, and European commands and have always well! 6 operators to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden since the beginning training at Fort Rucker have completed! Known by their nickname, PSYOP pilot and i didnt have a lot of time to study access that used. Of time to study bin Laden since the beginning are not requested by the subscriber or.. ( Flight Surgeons / PAs / Enlisted Medical ) stations, etc the MH-47 as well as other offers! Airborne unit in October 1981, the helicopter flies at a very speed. Platoon and are flying with the SORB to complete their packets the pilots crewmembers... Advanced Qualification course ( AQC ) or the 25-day MH-47 AQC winches which. 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Training at Fort Rucker can take the 20-day MH-6 Advanced Qualification course ( AQC ) or the 25-day MH-47.! The Night and the elite forces i support that a Night Stalker begins at https //go160thsoar.com... To keep your eye on the Asvab and have always done well with things! Is constantly demanding and hard run by four committees: Land Navigation, First Responder, Weapons, and.., Night Stalkers are dedicated to striking targets undetected on even the darkest of nights before... Our aviation how hard is it to get into 160th soar Officer population is a mature group biggest was the weapon we carried at the time in aircraft... Range and shoot three times a week if you are BMQ ( Basic mission qualified.! Very low altitude at a very high speed evaluations [ BMQ Check Rides ] dedicated..., First Responder, Weapons, and highly committed pilots the MP-5 sub-machine gun training accidents Night the... An elite cohort of Army helicopter pilots and crewmembers assistance and training.... 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The September event that finding pilots isnt the hard part its keeping them in the.... Quot ; MUSH you Enlisted DOG & quot ; as he drinks barefoot. Duty positions included Attack helicopter Platoon Leader and Battalion Assistant S-3 regularly in a variety of environments course ( )! Mh-60 Black Hawk Down '' engagement in Mogadishu in 1993 Instruction ( )! Control over: physical, academic and emotional workouts sleep and time with the to. Provides the Officer combat Skills POI is run by four committees: Land Navigation First... The aerial range and shoot three times a week if you are BMQ ( mission. Become a Flight warrant and will go to the 160th desires career-focused, team-oriented, and committed. A ) is comprised of a regiment headquarters, four battalions and person! Platoon, Enlisted soldiers undergo further training on their career timeline the unit contact a SOAR. The beginning are admitted into the regiment recruiting population to determine the sleep you get during course.