Their distinctive 101st "Screaming Eagle" patches remained on their uniforms. This provisional unit was dubbed Task Force 158, since most of its pilots were Black Hawk aviators detached from the 158th. The chosen pilots immediately entered intensive training in night flying. The Army looked to the 101st Aviation Group, the air arm of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), which had the most diverse operating experience of the service's helicopter units, and selected elements of the 158th Aviation Battalion, 101st Aviation Battalion, 229th Aviation Battalion, and the 159th Aviation Battalion. helicopter units trained in this kind of stealthy, short-notice Special Operations mission. military could best mount another attempt. History 1980s and 1990s Īfter the 1980 Operation Eagle Claw attempt to rescue American hostages held in Tehran, Iran, failed, President Jimmy Carter ordered former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. SOAR flight medics can qualify as special operations combat medics by completing the 36-week long Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course at Fort Bragg. After three to five years as an FMQ, the Night Stalker may try out for flight lead qualification.
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After a series of skills test qualifications, experience, leadership, and oral review boards lasting up to three years, the Night Stalker is designated Fully Mission Qualified (FMQ). The basic Night Stalker course for enlisted soldiers lasts five weeks the officer course lasts 20 to 28 weeks.Ī new Night Stalker pilot arrives at a unit as Basic Mission Qualified (BMQ).
Soldiers who fail to pass the course the first time may retake it, but there is no guarantee that anyone assigned to Green Platoon will pass and continue on with the 160th.
The weapons training includes firing thousands of rounds with the M9 pistol, M4 carbine, and AK-47 and AK-74 rifles. Upon joining the 160th, all soldiers are assigned to "Green Platoon", in which they receive intensive training in "advanced methods of the five basic combat skills: first responder, land navigation, combatives, weapons and teamwork". Until 2013, only men were allowed to be pilots in the 160th. Officers are all volunteers enlisted soldiers volunteer or are assigned by the U.S. The 160th SOAR (A) consists of the Army's best-qualified aviators, crew chiefs, and support soldiers. Army Special Operations Aviation Command Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, worn by the 160th SOAR (A) "Night Stalkers don't quit!", "Death waits in the dark!", "Six guns don't miss!" "Night Stalkers", "160th SOAR (A)", "Task Force Brown" United States Special Operations Command United States Army Special Operations Command United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command