Enlisted Combat Skills aka Green Platoon, is led by the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). 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. Minutes after they finished the report, Obama walked down that famous hallway in the White House to the podium to tell the world the news: The United States had conducted a raid to kill Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida. Back home at Fort Campbell, it was high school prom night for Englen's daughter. It wasnt an option to not come home, he added. Black Hawks Lead and Chalk-2, with the small surgical force, flew out from Jalalabad 45 minutes ahead of the Chinooks, since they were flying along the route. Chinooks Chalk-1 and 2, with the smack down force, basically flew straight to the refuel rendezvous site inside Pakistan. 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. And getting back safely was even more difficult because, by then, the Pakistani military was alerted. Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier. During the longest helicopter assault in U.S. history, Englens was the first helicopter into Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, on Oct. 19, 2001. And it worked," he said. The mini-gunners, or door gunners, were scanning. 15b 160th soar 4 0 0 0 15d 160th soar 4 0 0 0 15e 0 0 6 0 15e 160th soar 7 6 0 0 15f 160th soar 4 4 4 0 15g 160th soar 5 4 0 0 . Most recently, in July 2006, the regiment provisionally stood up a fourth battalion to meet growing special operations forces requirements. I came running back in, knocked my knee on the door, about fell into my living room, and sure enough, my phone was ringing. Morale, esprit de corps, and the retention of special operations aviation Soldiers and NCOs is critical to our mission and the future of our force. We saved most of the Rangers lives. But when theyre having to deal with grabbing things and carrying things (like bin Ladens body bag, and everything seized from the compound), it changes everything.. What makes it different than being in a normal air assault unit? Mom, mom, mom! Tinas son called immediately from college. Career stability and longevity as a Night Stalker means opportunity for advancement within the Regiment. Corestacks; . Almost all of the news coverage was about the SEALs, which he was perfectly fine with Folks really did not need to know about what special operations aviators do period. So we went in, and I've never seen so many bullets coming our way, hitting us, going over the top of us, below us," Englen said. Doug Englen back row, left, "goofing off", hugging soldier. While they were loading up inside, the Chinook was vulnerable. Do they become JTAC qualified? 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. Attention #FortCarson! Helicopters. How long you been in the service, etc, said Englen. All we do is minimize our time and get there as quick as possible," Englen said. Englen has more than 7,000 flight hours. For the latest USASOC guidance and news, please click here. They would fly in line with the trenches while strafing them.. So he and another Chinook went in with the risky approval from a 160th BN commander at Bagram. No family members were allowed. "They said it was too hot, and we just went in anyway. We had a gunny sergeant who was pissed off like you wouldnt believe. As soon as they landed at Jalalabad, a C-130 transported the team and Englen to Bagram Air Base to help exhume the body of Osama bin Laden. Then again, the 160th SOAR, like the rest of the special operations community, is accustomed to having their award ceremonies behind closed doors, so information about sensitive missions doesnt get out. I knew it was prom, and when this hit the news, theyd connect the dots. "They've got to get the headcount right, to make sure (we've) got the right amount of fuel. The Osprey air crew immediately pulled the ramp up, and off they went. Everyone (in the special operations community) worried if they didnt hear from their spouses. The MH-60 Black Hawks were supposed to fast-rope the assault group onto the rooftop of a mud building. Plus, in the SOF community, theres always criticism against any operator who talks about their former career. They are not normal pilots. Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. The regiment then became an airborne unit in October 1986 and was re-designated the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group (Airborne). Soldiers of the 160th have been actively and continuously engaged in the combat operations since October 2001. You will find the standards of performance exacting and unwavering. All she heard between the ruckus outside, was: I love you, everythings good, and Im coming home.. It was Doug, Tina shared. For years, the special operations aviator flew figuratively under peoples radar back home, while flying literally under the enemys radar downrange. I had one of the best special operation aviators ever with me that night without any hesitation in the heat of battle. I knew if we spent another minute holding, these Rangers were going to die. I always thought thought that only route for a 13f in SOF was going Ranger. Of course, there was no news until Obama made the announcement about Neptune's Spear. (I highly doubt it). The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment(Abn) is the primary rotary-wing support to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces. "TF 160 was truly amazing at Haditha Dam, he said. Remember how dramatic you were at 16, 17 years old? 160th SOAR aviators rarely speak about their missions or careers, because the majority is spent supporting Tier 1 operators on covert or clandestine operations. "We had to keep it down to such a minimum, because we didnt want to leak it out in our own (special operations) community, Englen said. The rules of engagement are much different (than Afghanistan), Englen explained. This time his Chinook was in a huge firefight rescuing 7th Special Forces Group ODA-7223 in Panjway after it hit an IED. As Englen and ground force members brought the body bag out to them, they expressed some frustration. This extensive, realistic training is the foundation of unit combat readiness. This photo shows inside the back of MH47. Due to operational security concerns, only a few people were involved in the planning of that mission. A lot of people asked why I didnt. ALT. If someone has worked with 13F is 160th, please feel free to PM me. Englen had gone after bin Laden three times prior to Operation Neptune's Spear. But, Im going to need him back.. This process takes 2-3 weeks. 23 and 24 August at Building 9648 Room 102 #4thInfantryDivision #MountainPostREADY. From 20 March to 4 October 1983, sixteen TF-160 aviators and crewmembers were killed in training and four aircraft were lost. I guard my units mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. Pakistan? And Im like, Yep, Englen said. But, he was searching and hunting for me, and three times came very close to actually launching a missile, Englen said. And thats just enough., (A Pennsylvania National Guard Chinook, CH-47, slung-loaded the crashed MH-60 Black Hawk out of there, so nobody would be the wiser about that nighttime special operation though some famous daytime photos of resupplying the ground troops later went viral. Rigorous training continues upon assignment to the line units. Military Families face numerous challenges, but the 160th community has the experience and resources to assist in managing those challenges. The bin Laden operation is merely one of numerous classified missions hes participated in which the public knows little about. 160th SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (Abn) CAREER PATHWAYS Your path to becoming a Night Stalker begins here. The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. From getting the call, Englen was there less than 10 minutes after the aircraft crash. Probably less than a hundred miles from Triple Nickel (Special Forces ODA-555, which along with ODA-595 became known as the 'Horse Soldiers), and rescued Karzai, because he was surrounded by hundreds of Taliban, Englen said. "When we pulled out, I yanked the guts out of the engines and we were at max power. I see you have to be a senior or promotable E6 to apply, however Im confused as to what they would actually be doing in the Regiment. That day, they missed, he added. 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. Temporary Duty and Temporary Duty and Return (TDY-R): TDY-R Soldiers will report directly for Enlisted Combat Skills Training, and on completion of Enlisted Combat Skills and any follow-on training will report back to their installation to out-process prior to PCS to Ft. Campbell, KY; Hunter Army Airfield/Ft. Sometimes the president would ask details. But nobody probably because my executive summary was so vague there was no contextual data to say, Heres what happened on the air side,' Englen speculated. As he landed under the mushroom cloud of the exploding Black Hawk, the flight lead and planner was pissed off. They basically said, If you werent there, it wouldve been different. So it made me feel good, Englen shared. Maybe. There might be a reason you can't find the answer to this, has that crossed your mind? I was probably 100 feet from the aircraft when it blew up. Special operations aircraft are highly modified with special mission equipment, advanced avionics, and communications. They kept an eye on their sector. Because they were out there running full rotors turning for like two hours waiting for us, Englen said. A sub for anyone to ask questions about the military. Regiment reorganization modifying the 160th fleet composition was approved in October 2007 and will be implemented over the next several years. Karzai later became the president of Afghanistan. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment US Army Aviation 160 SOAR: Night Stalkers . During those Iraq War years, Englen was involved in a number of missions supporting operations out of Mission Support Site Fernandez operations, which was near Baghdad. Chris, I got to go. Hearing Black Hawk down over the radio changed everything. The 160th brought AH-6 helicopters the light helicopter gunship based on MH-6 Little Bird and defensive armed penetrators, the MH-60L modified attack helicopter that looks like a Black Hawk, and one Chinook to that firefight. I didnt know if the aircraft was going to hold together, because we still had five hours to fly to get back to the USS Kitty Hawk. And, of course, one of the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed. I had gone out to see who was shooting the horns off, and I couldnt tell if my phone was ringing or not. He'd done that before with other fighter jets on other missions. Task Force Sword 2001. This strategic organizational structure postures the regiment to support special operations forces mission and training requirements well into the future. Your vehicle deserves only genuine OEM Honda parts and accessories. However, being in the public eye will be a huge change for them. Oct 2, 2018 #1 I've tried to search this forum and Google to see what a 13F would do in 160th. Theres really no pictures, either, Englen said. I didnt know any of that, really, during the whole all of those deployments. A missile never left the rail. I fear no foes ability, nor underestimate his will to fight. Having four children to keep her mind off the dangerous mission became her saving grace. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, and Adm. McRaven told him they were putting him in for the Distinguished Service Cross since he was responsible for the entire air piece. "I used to love the moon, Englen said. Living on post at Fort Campbell, home of 160th SOAR, was always trying, she said. We went back and forth. Night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and a critical component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Somebody was always planning or doing something for those guys. He had kept the details in the executive summary regarding their special operations air piece to a minimum, careful about providing contextual data. Those few planners worked for nearly four months at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. We didnt even get to say goodbye, the phone had disconnected. An advance contingent secured a base at the Chadian airfield adjacent to the airport in the capital, N'Djamena. Today, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment continues a sustained and active forward presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations at multiple locations in support of operations Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn, in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively. Members of this unit are three-time volunteers: for the Army, for airborne training and for the regiment. In addition to attending required Army professional development and leadership courses, you may have the opportunity to attend advanced military schools or those schools within a sister service that will enhance your capability. In October 1981, the unit was officially designated the 160th Aviation Battalion. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. Link: https://goarmysof.com/160th/SOARrecruiting.html 10 11 comments Best Add a Comment The programs of instruction offered by the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion may translate as credit hours toward a bachelors or associates degree through the American Council on Education (ACE). During the longest helicopter assault in U.S. history, Englen's was the first helicopter into Afghanistan after . The 160th is the only rotary wing precision special operations aviation force in the entire Defense Department. 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. As Im sitting there watching the television, trying to figure out where Doug is, whats going down Im worried: Am I going to get a knock on the door, (from a uniformed officer and the chaplain)? Tina shared. And, he looked at me, and I go, Thats Number One. And there, he just snapped a salute, immediately changed his tone, Englen said. "That means you're in charge of not just your aircraft, you're in charge of the flight: responsible for the flight planning, execution, and orchestration. We rely on those NCOs placed in charge of these types of missions to use their leadership skills, training, knowledge, and intellect to complete their teams assignment. Once, when he'd called to ask how she and their four children were doing, her washing machine was flooding water out their front door. One of Tinas girlfriends had come over to see about going out for dinner before the teenagers headed out for all the prom parties on post. Those crews took no less risk than I did," Englen told them. Englen refused to. I asked them (McRaven and Panetta), saying, This is what Im considering doing. And theyre like, Its wonderful. Reporter Alex Quade covers U.S. special operations forces on combat missions. Or if somebodys husband didnt come home. If it crashed in civilian area? 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 Special Operations Combat Skills and MOS specific training is the foundation for all newly assigned and/or re-qualifying Enlisted Soldiers. Englen flying MH47 on training exercise. Black Hawk 2s pilot alerted Englen the pilot in charge of the air operation that night that Black Hawk-1 had just crashed inside the 9/11 masterminds Abbottabad compound. ", I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States.. The modern day 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) was officially activated in June 1990. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. (FIND COURTESY ONLINE, 1 of MANY ONLINE PHOTOS of Chinook roof landing Afgh) = REFERRED TO THIS SPECIFICALLY IN STORY = UBL SECTION = GOING AFTER HIM 2ND ATTEMPT. Home. We didnt want to run into one of them, and have them ask What are you guys doing here? Englen added. Those missions involved British special operations and multiple Tier 1 organizations from the U.S. From Samarra to the Yusufiyah triangle, the list of operations the public never knew about was long. The photos show a National Guard Chinook with its back wheels on the rooftop of that same mud building hanging there.), Another daylight PA NG CH47 resupplying ground troops. As a child, he went to an Air Force Academy football game and crawled all over the helicopter static displays, and was hooked. Thats what Adm. McRaven is, just the true professional, true leader and here I am getting side-barred with the vice president.. DISCOVER MORE Officer 21 USASOAC United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command - Flying the Best, without Fear, without Fail, without Equal, no Matter what the Future Holds. They were genuine, thoughtful questions, but were kind of off-topic. As most military families can attest, transitioning out of the service is a big adjustment. Which is exactly the point. Their SAR (search and rescue) plan was in effect. I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit. Before hed left, Englen had told Tina, Stay local. I couldnt move in it. We absolutely can get shot down on the way back, which means we have to evade, Englen said. "Take it out of the body bag, inspect and take samples and things like that, to verify," he clarified. But what scared them was: Were going into this place, what are our odds of making it back? I never thought that. On the 160th page on goarmysof.com, it says that 13f is an approved MOS. It held together, thank God.. Go have fun, Ill see you later. So she went back out, Tina recalled. He was there, but it took (us) so long to get in, Englen stated. Currently, 1st Bn. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 160th Special Operations Airborne Regiment SOAR Army Pathfinder Challenge Coin at the best online prices at eBay! No, I felt like it was a jinx. Their wedding rings, and everything else, went into their kit bags to stay behind. So I was able to evade him electronically. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. Keeping this house was always my job. Free shipping for many products! what would an artilleryman be doing in it? Neighbors came over, asking if shed heard from her husband, since news had spread of a helicopter down. The 1st and 2nd Battalions are based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, while the 3rd Battalion is based at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. Missions at home station and TDY require small and dispersed teams that will call on Soldiers who demonstrate character and competence in order to accomplish the mission. You are using an out of date browser. Theyd been together since meeting in high school in 1987. They really didnt talk about the air piece. Three gentlemen waiting, in their mid-20s, were absolutely convinced it was a conspiracy. He could see where the police lights were, where the commotion was happening. U.S. Army 160th SOAR has Aviation Jobs, Military Jobs, and Army Jobs. That risk would be typical of the early days of Iraq, when we had air defense and we had to use electronic warfare tactics," he said. conv from CH-47C 74-22283. The plan called for using four aircraft: two Chinooks and two Black Hawks, which are a little bit quieter. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Night Stalkers, Night Stalkers Don't Quit! Some we didnt, because they were burnt too bad, Englen said. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. I hate it now. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders. While Englen was amused, Tina was bothered. I owe my life to him, the crew owes their lives to him.". My units mission with secrecy, for airborne training and for the mission and training well. Their spouses rescue ) plan 13f in 160th soar in a huge firefight rescuing 7th special forces Group ODA-7223 Panjway. 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