Home » SOF News » 160th SOAR Receives Honors

160th SOAR Receives Honors

by · March 7, 2013 · Posted In: SOF News
MH-6 NSDQ_opt
It goes without saying, as a whole, the Night Stalkers are the best helicopter pilots that the world has to offer.  Most Army pilots aspire to make it into the unit, but few will ever attain their goal. These pilots fly the world’s élite (Delta, SEALs, and Rangers) from target to target, as well as offering close air support (CAS) to operators on the ground.

Related Posts

The brave men of 160th SOAR do things with helos that many would not think possible. There were  times coming into a target that we landed in an area so confined that most civilians would have had a difficult time conducting a three-point turn in their own vehicle. The reflexes, commitment, and straight ‘nerves of steel’ that these men possess are too often taken for granted by the command and soldiers who are, and have been, blessed with their services.

At Hunter Army Airfield Savannah, Georgia on February 22, 2013 a small group of Night Stalkers were given the recognition that they have long deserved.

According to the US Army Special Operation Command:

Lt. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, United States Army Special Operations Command commanding general, presented the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with Valor medals to several deserving Soldiers.

As the Night Stalkers continue to serve special operations around the world, we at SOFREP want to say thank you for allowing us to arrive safely back to our friends, family, and loved ones.

NSDQ

 

 

About The Author

I served in 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment from 2003-2008. Almost four years of the time spent in 3/75 was spent in the sniper section. I am a graduate of US Army Airborne School, US Army Ranger School, US Army Sniper School, Special Forces Sniper Course, and the US Marine Corps Summer Mountain Scout Sniper Course. I have competed in the US Army International Sniper Competition as well as the US Army Small Arms Championships on three separate occasions. I currently live in Corvallis, Oregon and hold a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Oregon State University.
Follow Sofrep on:
OR  rss
20 comments
  Livefyre
Newest | Oldest
LauraKinCA
LauraKinCA like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Well deserved for flyers who take the mechanics of flight and turn it into an artform.

Txazz
Txazz like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

I stand in absolute awe of the Nightstalkers.  Still get a chill when I remember some of the 160th accounts.  Y'all are due all honor and respect - keep making us proud!

thebronze
thebronze like.author.displayName 1 Like

Truly the "Best of the Best".NSDQ

IS1FiveO
IS1FiveO like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Bravo Zulu Night Stalkers. They deserve the recognition for their service and sacrifices alongside their SOF brothers.

ColonelProp
ColonelProp like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Thank You Guys - just incredible what we can glimpse.

usapatriotonthemove
usapatriotonthemove like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

Thanks for your service guys!  Glad to see them some recognition.  I read this book years ago....great read for anyone else interested in learning more about the NightStalkers.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451222911/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/176-8922036-7639025?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=04ZK8CBXP1XRM8CGVMSD&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=1400153484

 

 

Merc_Rob
Merc_Rob like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

Thank you for your service.  We always hear about the SEALs, SF, Recon, etc. but its time to recognize the 160th SOAR for their skills and dedication to the cause.  God bless and keep up the good fight!

oldSquid
oldSquid like.author.displayName 1 Like

Good stuff, Jack. And well deserved to those helo pilots.

I live fairly close to Ft. Campbell. and helos fly over my neighborhood all the time... every time I hear on e - especially in the 'evening hours', I wonder...

oldSquid
oldSquid like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

where did I get JACK?!?!?!

Sorry Isaiah... mea culpa, mea culpa...

13thBama
13thBama like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Well deserved.  Congratulations to the Nightstalkers.

rsmith569
rsmith569

@BrandonTWebb it's good to see them get the recognition that they deserve.

sully78
sully78 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 9 Like

Congratulations to these guys, I have seen them do some amazing things with aircraft. Still remember sitting on the skid of a little bird flying over Baghdad on the way to a target. It was one of those events in my life I will never forget. Seeing all the damage to the city was crazy. I remember flying over some warehouses, 5 to be exact. 4 were destroyed and one was perfectly fine.

Also remember being on that target providing aerial "sniper" support (I was a mortar FDC Chief at the time providing a extra rifle for a team of Dboy and my fellow Ranger snipers) when a man came out of a building with what appeared to be a tube on his shoulder. I told the pilot and he turned that bird around so fast I didn't even realize what was happening until it was done. Turned out to just be a rug. I said "sorry man", and the pilot responded "no problem you spot anything like that you let me know, I don't like RPG's."

Side note: The look on the snipers face that was on the other side of my bird when he asked if he could "take the first shot at the engine block if someone on target decided to make a run for it" and I responded "that's fine I normally shoot mortars anyway", was priceless. I had to reassure him that I could shoot, our snipers wouldn't have asked me to come if I couldn't. 

JackMurphyRGR
JackMurphyRGR moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @sully78 I have some similar memories from flying with 160th.  Always a pleasure working with them.

flhtse05
flhtse05 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

I've read both of Mike Durant's books which are awesome. The best of the best. For those of the 160th on here, Thank You for your service and thanks for the skills you bring to the fight.