A lot of guys wrote letters. So, Ive got this teenager, going over-the-top that her hair wasnt going (right), huge Cinderella dress wasnt going, shoes were horrible, I look fat, 'everything sucks, and on and on, Tina sighed. each have two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies and one MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter company. This photo shows inside the back of MH47. We got shot at with absolutely everything: RPGs, RPK, AKs. 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 warfighting commanders. They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters. He (Obama) told me, We need to keep you around. And, all 24 ground forces that were on the objective that night made me an honorary member of their team. Among other missions, he infiltrated Top Tier members, along with British and Australian special operations in Al-Anbar, near the Syrian border, to deal with H-3 and H-2 Air Bases. We didnt want to run into one of them, and have them ask What are you guys doing here? Englen added. About 4,500 of that was under night vision goggles. In Iraq, there were also several high-profile missions the public knew little about. Their wedding rings, and everything else, went into their kit bags to stay behind. Local residents watch ongoing demolition of the compound where Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was slain last year in the northwestern town of Abbottabad on February 26, 2012. Archived post. Ok, were loading the last guys, the crew chiefs communicated with Englen, who started pulling a little bit of pitch. Sorry, just not used to you here, Tina admitted. On the 160th page on goarmysof.com, it says that 13f is an approved MOS. Everybody focused to what was happening on TV. It was enough, Tina confided. Tina closed her eyes and ears to the possibility and prayed a lot. Tom DiTomasso, a retired lieutenant colonel and former Army Special Operations Command squadron commander, was at Objective Gecko and praised Englen and the 160th SOAR. We went through about 8,000 rounds of mini-gun fire protecting the Chinook on the ground, trying to pick up the injured EOD guy. I hate it now. Englen just put his hand on that Marine gunny sergeant, and pointed at the body bag. File:160th SOAR insignia.gif. We went back and forth. We felt safe, Englen said, Which is a totally weird thing to say about (a war zone) in Afghanistan.. "They continue to be the premier standard for SOF aviation, DiTomasso said. The 160th SOAR, otherwise known as Task Force 160 (TF-160), or the 'Night Stalkers', are an elite U.S. Army special operations unit who fly helicopters in support of both SOF and regular forces. Obama was there in the hallway, saying it.. When were on the ground, its just us, he said. 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 professionalism and capabilities of Army special operations aviation are developed through a train as you fight mentality. All the prom parties at Fort Campbell High School stopped. "The use of Black Hawks was to get them (the ground forces) quickly roped into the objective, Englen said. This was a do-or-die type mission, Englen said. In a testament to the Chinook's durability and heavy-lift capabilities, the 160th even used these tandem-rotor helos to "steal" a large . Hell be inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in April. The Works; Oct 2, 2018; Replies 5 Views 3K. The fact that her husband had called was. Theres really no pictures, either, Englen said. Which is exactly the point. While the local populace was aware something was up (and began tweeting and calling 911), the special operations aviators werent getting indications that the Pakistani military or the Air Force was keen on what they were doing. For years, the special operations aviator flew figuratively under peoples radar back home, while flying literally under the enemys radar downrange. Hed pinned his sisters corsage on, and was there to support her before driving back to his dorm. is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 4th Bn. We have guys that know where our kit bags are at, in case something were to happen, he said. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern and Pacific commands. So he and another Chinook went in with the risky approval from a 160th BN commander at Bagram. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. The 160th SOAR fly the following helicopters: MH-47G Chinook MH-60M Black Hawk MH-60M DAP (gunship variant) AH-6M / MH-6M Little Bird Stealth / Ghost Hawk Let me figure it out.'". The following is a general overview of the process: Process for becoming a Night Stalker and a valued member of the United States Army Special Operations Aviation Team is as follows: Since our inception, the 160th SOAR has filled its ranks with tested volunteers. Enlisted Soldiers and NCOs are actively recruited to fill our ranks with the best men and women capable of executing our mission. They thought Obama staged it, like putting that on the news to boost his numbers, Englen laughed. Ive got to find a ride home, Tina recalled. I had to anticipate and load the engines. I knew what he was doing was big. We made it to the objective without really causing too much of a ruckus over the 911 calls. Promotion opportunities are regularly available, but are competitive and based on performance. Members of this unit are three-time volunteers: for the Army, for airborne training and for the regiment. But their order was capture only., "It wasnt capture or kill, so if we couldnt guarantee a capture, then we couldnt take it to the next level, Englen said. What do they do with an Aviation Regiment? What does a 13F does with the 160th? I dont, I dont know, let me Tina hung up, because the live feed picture of the White House with the empty podium came on. Plus, we didnt know when we were going to do it. Missions like Objective Rhino and Objective Gecko did make it into the news, however. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment(Abn) is the primary rotary-wing support to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces. We all flew at the same time. Our expectations are high, but attainable. The MH-60 Black Hawks were supposed to fast-rope the assault group onto the rooftop of a mud building. She wanted to be with her family to see what was going on. Hows this on the family? He was asking those types of things, How many kids do I have? Whats the appeal in going 160th for a 13f? The raid is allegedly in the Jarabulus countryside, targeting IS leaders in a Turkish controlled part of Syria. On the TV in the tiny lobby waiting room, the news was all about the killing of bin Laden. Night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and a critical component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. She prayed to God Go ahead and take Doug and use him, and do what You need to do. Living on post at Fort Campbell, home of 160th SOAR, was always trying, she said. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. They were just as worried. Englen refused to. Regardless, they were still jinking and jiving, flying nap-of-the-earth. 160th SOAR Chinook "Crazy Horse Airlines" Co. And, of course, one of the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed. No family members were allowed. So just hit the stop watch.. "We pulled every technique and tactic out of the book. I know he has the same feelings, because all of a sudden, hell say, I think Im going to the gym, and Ill go, Oh, youve had too much of me, gotcha,' Tina laughed. Englen was on nearly every special operations insertion in the two weeks prior to the Shock and Awe campaign on March 19, 2003. Englen figured some ground forces were worried because theyd only been read-in two and a half weeks before the mission, and didnt have the full aspect of what was going on. The unit became known as the Night Stalkers because of its capability to strike undetected during the hours of darkness and its unprecedented combat successes. 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. His 34 deployments translate to six years and nine months worth of combat time downrange, away from his wife Tina and four children. Twice between 2013 and 2016, Englen was in hot pursuit of Irans Quds Force leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Dont go anywhere, be home, just stay home., Tina had put their other two children to bed, and was hoping for a minute of calmness before her daughter came home from prom. Some helicopter maintenance and crew members in the 160th SOAR can make between $2,600 and $36,800. Known as Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. But for me, that was some of the nastiest flying you could think of., FILE - This undated file photo shows al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. Of course, there was no news until Obama made the announcement about Neptune's Spear. So there wasn't a whole lot of space (on board)," Englen explained. Englen, being the planner and flight lead (i.e., the boss), had recommended infiltrating first with the Black Hawks. It was just 30 seconds into the mission to kill Osama bin Laden in May 2011 when special operations Chinook pilot Chief Warrant Officer 5 Douglas Englen heard the call of Black Hawk down come over his radio. I knew this was definitely a little bit different, because of the hours of training, how much he was gone, and how he was taken. I mean, he was taken out of an award ceremony, like, You come now. He looked at me and said, Hey youre going to have to catch a ride, I got to go. Im like, Crap. Your vehicle deserves only genuine OEM Honda parts and accessories. That was to alleviate exposure to other individuals of Special Operations Command regularly visiting the agency. But, you're also writing the lyrics for the song, playing the song, and you're orchestrating the song," Englen explained. Career stability and longevity as a Night Stalker means opportunity for advancement within the Regiment. 160TH SOAR (Abn) The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Abn) is the primary rotary-wing support to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces. and our I want my experiences to explain who I am, so people know they can believe in me. Promotion opportunities are regularly available, but are competitive and based on performance. With the noise in the valley, he had an early warning network, and he was out of there. (Courtesy 160th SOAR). . Right after Englen dropped the body off with the Marines so they could fly it up to the Carl Vinson and had written his executive summary report, he received approval to run inside real quick to call his wife. Pakistani security forces began demolishing the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed in a covert US raid last May in the garrison town of Abbottabad, police and witnesses said. Known as Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. ***"The military" is vague. (Same air crews who fought Haditha, Iraq, 2003.) 'You know who that is?' The unit originally formed from attachments of the 101st . He saw combat as a door gunner during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Complete the 160th SOAR Enlisted Application. There might be a reason you can't find the answer to this, has that crossed your mind? Military Families face numerous challenges, but the 160th community has the experience and resources to assist in managing those challenges. They had other attempts against bin Laden. To be completely unselfish, Id rather pick the right tool for the ground force, versus it always being myself, Englen explained. Englen always wanted to fly helicopters. Neighbors came over, asking if shed heard from her husband, since news had spread of a helicopter down. You will ensure the regiment is synced up with the battle space owner and the 160th gets both the lethal and non-lethal (IE: electronic warfare) fires it needs. "It was not typical. Hed walk in the door, and say, What we having for dinner? And Im like, Uh, whoops, Ive already eaten. This is the official U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Recruiting Team website. I mean like, right next to it, Englen explained. Why are you worried about them (the SOF community)? And I said, Well, because I dont want them to think Im being egotistical, or cynical, or trying to make money off this,' Englen explained. Upon completion of training, TDY-E Soldiers will proceed to Ft. Campbell, KY; Hunter Army Airfield/ Ft. Stewart, GA; or Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Nothing personal, in case they were taken hostage. Videos. He knew exactly where everything was; he didnt need a map. The second clip is audio captured by a civilian in the area. Find us at Go160thSOAR. And getting back safely was even more difficult because, by then, the Pakistani military was alerted. While the risk was high for the ground forces during the 38 minutes they were actually on the ground at bin Ladens compound, the risk for the helicopters during the rest of almost four hours of flying was extreme. For PSYOP, it's between $6,300 and $72,000, while civil affairs offers $4,400 to $46,000.. I had to remain calm.. Home. Given how rapidly this could devolve into classified info, I'll just remind everyone to NOT send classified information via this forum, public or private. 75th Ranger Regiment 13F and Air Force SOF TACPs. Four months later, Englen received his second Silver Star (for that same year) in Afghanistan. It was also a bit shocking for Tina, when attending her husbands retirement functions, to hear hed been shot at. . 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