The physical aspect of the assessment is over after the swim test my opinion is that youre not there to showcase your PT ability; although, under performing at PT will definitely be noticed. I would suggest actually being a medic for more than 5 minutes before going high medical speed. That allows the 160th flight companies to check whether the pilots have been trained to the standard that they have come to expect.8 After completing Green Platoon, SOATB graduates report for duty with their respective 160th flight units. They can take the 20-day MH-6 Advanced Qualification Course (AQC) or the 25-day MH-47 AQC. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Special Ops recruiters are located at 11 different military installations across the globe. They became the first helicopter pilots to use. I will tell you that no matter how well you do there will always be something for the assessors to pick apart. We hope Chris information will give you a better idea how to prepare for selection. This strategic organizational structure postures the regiment to support special operations forces mission and training requirements well into the future. Also, you get to determine the sleep you get during the course. Like Company A, their cadre consists of both active duty and contract personnel (many former or retired Night Stalkers), with the latter handling most of the daily instruction. has two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies; and 3rd and 4th battalions each have two MH-47 Chinook helicopter companies and one MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter company. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Anytime, anywhere in the world, plus or minus 30 seconds. Special Operations is the collective force made up of the Army Rangers, Special Forces (Green Berets), Night Stalkers, Psychological Operations, and Civil Affairs, whereas Special Forces (nicknamed the Green Berets) is an individual unit within Special Operations. National Guard and Reserve Officers must contact a 160th SOAR recruiter to discuss any transfer requirements before beginning the application process. At the same time, the helicopter flies at a very low altitude at a very high speed. Cookie Notice Theyre responsible for flying in the most undesirable and dangerous conditions like enemy fire with ease. Officer and warrant officer candidates must have at least 1,000 hours of flight time and 100 hours of flying with night-vision goggles to even be considered. If you want to be a SOAR helicopter pilot youll attend Warrant Officer Flight School, also known as WOFT. Im an instructor pilot and I didnt have a lot of time to study. Psychological Operations are also known by their nickname, PSYOP. Dedication to preserving the Night Stalker culture of excellence is evidenced by the fact that candidates are closely assessed before they can begin training; that Combat Skills instructors must attend Green Platoon twice to maintain high standards of training; that operational pilots make the determination as to whether an officer meets line company standards; and that SOATB employs dozens of former/retired Night Stalkers as contractor trainers. Test your physical and mental endurance and reach your peak potential as a Soldier and a person. How do I become a 160th SOAR volunteer? This strategic organizational structure postures the 160th SOAR (Abn) to support the special operations forces (SOF) mission and training well into the future. The Mi-8 helicopter is equipped with two winches, which allow to evacuate personnel from heights up to 60 m, said Salyov. I was exhausted at the end of the week. Each battalion also has a Headquarters and Headquarters Company and a maintenance company. 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. 160th SOAR. Pseudonyms are identified with an asterisk (*). The MH-6 is only in the 160th SOAR. American special operations units commonly insert and extract at night, meaning the aircraft used in both operations must also be able to operate in total darkness with minimal communications. The 160th SOAR actively seeks and assesses the best-qualified aviators, crew members and support personnel in the Army. We work closely with Army Aviation enterprise to address projected shortages, identify eligible recruiting populations, and retain talent., A U.S. Air Force airman from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron jumps out of the back of a MH-47 Chinook helicopter at Wynnehaven Beach, Fla., April 9, 2013. Through their actions on the battlefield, successive generations of Night Stalkers have proven true to their motto, "Night Stalkers Don't Quit.". Im open to other recommendations as well, I did a quick search on the sub for similar questions but I was unsure if the information would be outdated. i would like to go for crew chief for the MH-47 as well (currently in 15U ait) 18. All the unit's senior leaders review every application, and the regimental commander must approve every officer candidate. His 160th SOAR air crews had been going after Osama bin Laden since the beginning. Sure. Aviators spend. Beyond compensation, theres the opportunity for personal growth and the chance to reach a level of success that few Soldiers will ever get to experience. If youre not used to swimming with that stuff it will definitely degrade your performance. If theres anyone out there thats currently in the 160th SOAR (or a Special Operations recruiter) and could give me some insight into what MOSs are needed, any tips on getting in, etc, it would be hugely appreciated. Only those most qualified, willing, and able to perform the unique and dangerous 160th SOAR mission sets are admitted into the Regiment. I swam a decent amount and consider myself a strong swimmer; however, during my preparation, I didnt wear a vest or helmet in the pool. Remain professional and keep a positive attitude at all times. I already have a secret clearance. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The officer version lasts between 25 weeks and 27 weeks, depending on the airframe, and focuses on a variety of ground and aerial special-operations skills. CPT Kellie A. McCarthy*, Military Intelligence and U.S. Military Academy 08, and First Sergeant (1SG) Mitchell W. Norvell*, an Aviation Operations Specialist with thirteen years as a Night Stalker, provide the company leadership. and our Remain professional, motivated, and use the experience to develop professionally. Throughout these stages, serving and former/retired Night Stalkers imbue newcomers with the traditions and ethos that has come to characterize U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation. She lives in sunny Florida and loves to write engaging content to inform, inspire and entertain the military community. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is for individuals who arent afraid of challenges, heights, or worldwide missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. For aviators, the training path to become a basic mission qualified pilot in the 160th SOAR includes combat skills, aquatics training, basic skills and advanced skills phases. The Army has acknowledged that its facing a pilot shortage, though the conversation has focused around conventional forces. One of the biggest was the weapon we carried at the time in our aircraft, the MP-5 sub-machine gun. Chris, one of our athletes, recently passed selection for160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. 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. Therefore, without the developed skills, it is very difficult to determine the real distance to objects on the ground. Look at the foundational knowledge topics in your ACAT and you cant go wrong. Your path to becoming a Night Stalker begins at https://go160thsoar.com. For the physical stuff I went to Clayton (founder of the Para Bellum Athlete Program). Learn more about Army life here. They lifted up and went nose down with the blades almost hitting the ground in front of them. However, before an officer attends OGP, he or she must apply and be assessed. There may be other active units that perform MEDEVAC support for Army installations elsewhere. My question is, Can I volunteer in reception once i report to my next unit at the welcoming center or drop a packet once I am at my actual unit? "There is no such thing as a normal day, as there is always training for different scenarios and 'customers,'" Coker said. The pilots stateside and overseas combat duty positions included Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader and battalion Assistant S-3. The training that pilot candidates go through includes desert, mountain, urban, and maritime flying; Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) and air-to-air refueling operations; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear operations. The following locations have 160th SOAR specific recruiters on site: Once selected, 160th soar training includes a six-week course known as Green Platoon. As evidenced by the rigorous SOA recruiting, assessment, and training process, officers (aviators and non-aviators) wishing to serve in the 160th SOAR are held to the highest standards of excellence. Ideally, candidates assess into our formation with 500 flight hours and as pilots-in-command," Bymer added. Army Special Operations Command faced pilot shortages in the final quarter of fiscal 2019, according to manning numbers obtained by Army Times. The shortages were noticeable in the A/MH-6, MH-60 and MH-47 pilot communities, but are emblematic of the larger shortages throughout the Armys combat aviation brigades, from which special operations aviators are sourced later in their careers. The 160th desires career-focused, team-oriented, and highly committed pilots. That lesson proved invaluable in the initial days of the war in Afghanistan when Night Stalkers went hunting Taliban and Al Qaeda targets. The MH-47 is the special operations variant of the CH-47 Chinook. Also will accept U gon die., I'll have two number 9s, a number 9 large, a number 6 with extra dip, a number 7, two number 45s, one with cheese, and a large soda. I cant say what specifically you should look at; however, I will tell you to paint a wide brush with broad strokes think of it as a Standardization Evaluation. Can you give soldiers who are about to take it some advice so they can better prepare for it? Ever since, the Night Stalkers, who got their nickname from their affinity for darkness and unmatched night-time capabilities, have participated in almost all large- and small-scale special-operations missions and campaigns. The Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is the world's premier rotary-wing unit. The same airfield already hosted . Researchers want to prevent injuries in Soldiers before they happen, Ukrainian forces were spotted using guns from the 1940s as old weapons make a comeback in Russias bloody war, The Russian campaign in Ukraine is faltering, How a Green Beret achieved immortality during one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War, Pass a standard APFT and be within Army body composition standards, Have a Military Physical Profile Serial System Factor (PULHES) of 111211 with no physical limiting profiles, Four-to-10-mile road marches (with a 45-pound rucksack). In 2015, having accrued 500 flight hours, and with eight months left on assignment, the now-captain (CPT) got a personal email from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), signed by the Regimental Commanding Officer (RCO), inviting him to apply to be assessed and trained into the unit. Additionally, the service is still trying to target incentives to retain and recruit qualified pilots, as well as draw up exit surveys to determine why pilots leave the service and where theyre going. As an AH-6 light attack helicopter pilot, your primary duty is to learn the AH-6 helicopter and learn how to conduct surgical engagements with mini-guns and rockets. McCurry said at the September event that finding pilots isnt the hard part its keeping them in the seat. Each battalion has a collection of light, medium, and heavy helicopters it uses to support special operations forces missions globally. Follow-on training with the battalion is commonly referred to as Green Platoon, which is tailored to each soldier based on their military occupational specialty and whether they are an officer or enlisted soldier. I will never surrender. Together, the 160th SOAR involves a regiment headquarters, four battalions, and a training company. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ( 160th SOAR ), better known as the Night Stalkers, were flying in full force near Dam Neck, Virginia last week, hauling around Navy SEALs and . Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (National Service with the 575th Marine Battalion & Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. Together, the 160th special Operations forces missions globally also known by their nickname,.... Had been going after Osama bin Laden since the beginning desires career-focused, team-oriented, and heavy helicopters uses... Have a lot of time to study said Salyov to swimming with that stuff will... Heights, or worldwide missions four battalions, and the regimental commander must every. Members and support personnel in the world, plus or minus 30 seconds going high medical speed 160th. 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