Flying with the United States Army’s 160th SOAR (A), Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the “Nightstalkers,” were some of the most exhilarating years of my professional Army career. These are the men and women who, when the President asks in hushed tones if our Nation has the capability to fly specially adapted helicopters into the darkest corners of the globe, raise their hands and volunteer for missions no one else will try.
A few years ago, I was a pilot and Platoon Leader in a Nightstalker helicopter unit in Bagram, Afghanistan, meaning I was legally and morally responsible for the safeguarding and employment of 4 aircraft and about 30 specially trained soldiers. We normally fly exclusively at night using Night Vision Goggles to maintain the element of surprise, and on this particular night, we’d been asked to insert a group of four US Navy SEALS deep into enemy held territory to collect valuable intelligence on a powerful militia leader in the Korengal Valley.
My immediate supervisor, the commanding officer of our helicopter task force, was Major Stephen Reich, a West Point baseball standout and experienced Nightstalker.
You've reached your daily free article limit.
Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.
Flying with the United States Army’s 160th SOAR (A), Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the “Nightstalkers,” were some of the most exhilarating years of my professional Army career. These are the men and women who, when the President asks in hushed tones if our Nation has the capability to fly specially adapted helicopters into the darkest corners of the globe, raise their hands and volunteer for missions no one else will try.
A few years ago, I was a pilot and Platoon Leader in a Nightstalker helicopter unit in Bagram, Afghanistan, meaning I was legally and morally responsible for the safeguarding and employment of 4 aircraft and about 30 specially trained soldiers. We normally fly exclusively at night using Night Vision Goggles to maintain the element of surprise, and on this particular night, we’d been asked to insert a group of four US Navy SEALS deep into enemy held territory to collect valuable intelligence on a powerful militia leader in the Korengal Valley.
My immediate supervisor, the commanding officer of our helicopter task force, was Major Stephen Reich, a West Point baseball standout and experienced Nightstalker.
Read the whole story from LinkedIn.
Featured image courtesy of YouTube
In Desperation, Scores of Ukrainian Women Turn to ‘Only Fans’ To Make Ends Meet
While California Burns, Thieves Steal Humvees, Other Military Equipment, From Army Reserve Center in LA County
Pete Hegseth’s Senate Confirmation Hearings: A Crucial Test for the Next Secretary of Defense
Japan Pushes Back F-35B Fighters Delivery Again
Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.
TRY 14 DAYS FREEAlready a subscriber? Log In
COMMENTS
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.