SOCOM’s TF 160th pilots are the best in the world in my opinion, these guys have more night vision flying time then most career airlines pilots have total hours.
I’m glad to see Hutmacher’s (Commander of US Army Special Operations Aviation) promotion. The full story by Drew Brooks (staff writer for the Fayobserver) is below. Enjoy.
By Drew Brooks
A Fort Bragg colonel who took command of a special operations unit earlier this month has been nominated for a promotion. Col. Clayton M. Hutmacher has been nominated for the rank of brigadier general, according to the Pentagon. Hutmacher took command of Army Special Operations Aviation Command at Fort Bragg on June 13.
He replaced Maj. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum as commander of the unit, which oversees about 3,500 soldiers and 200 aircraft, mostly assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky.
The one-star provisional headquarters is still growing and will not be fully activated until Oct. 1, officials said. At Fort Bragg, 26 civilians and 46 soldiers are assigned to the headquarters and flight detachment. Army special operations aircraft include the MH-60 Black Hawk and MH-47 Chinook helicopters that get special operations soldiers in and out of hostile areas; the A/MH-6 Little Bird light attack aircraft; and unmanned systems.
The Fort Bragg headquarters manages resources, modernization, training and doctrine, allowing the “Night Stalkers” at Fort Campbell to focus on their war-fighting mission.
Hutmacher is a Lake Stevens, Wash., native who joined the Marines in 1978. He transferred to the Army in 1984 after bring accepting into the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster and Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
To learn about the “Black Shadow” of the 160th click here to read Jack’s article.
About Our Links
We link to other websites if we find their content compelling.
We also link to relevant products on Amazon.com as affiliates.
The money we earn from these sales helps keep our website running and a few beers on ice.
