They put him back in the bag, and took it out to the Marine MV-22 Ospreys. What do they do with an Aviation Regiment? He bootstrapped his way up. We already had an extremely close relationship, and trust and loyalty. Including Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological operations, 160th SOAR, Explosive Ordnance Explosives, Warrant officers, 75th Ranger Regiment, and how to get started. The regiment headquarters is collocated with the 1st and 2nd battalions and the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion at Fort Campbell, Ky.; 3rd Battalion is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 4th Battalion is located at -Base LewisJoint- . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Killed probably 30 or 35 insurgents. And, if we are shot down, we had to make sure we were sterile.. 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. 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. Karzai later became the president of Afghanistan. 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. As a member of the Night Stalkers 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. When were on the ground, its just us, he said. Archived post. Blue police lights dont show up in night vision goggles, so Englen looked under his goggles to see those blue lights. Known as Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. The 160th SOAR actively seeks and assesses the best-qualified aviators, crew members and support personnel in the Army. 1 planned contingency: a Black Hawk crashing.. The second clip is audio captured by a civilian in the area. But, not before telling her mother, Why the hell did I want a Cinderella dress? Formalized Maintenance Courses Include: As part of their progression to Basic Mission Qualification (BMQ), enlisted Soldiers selected for duty as an MH-60 or MH-47 crewmember will receive additional formalized flight training in: Career management of our Soldiers and NCOs is critical to recruitment and retention. But his Chinook immediately went straight to the objective area, to pick up the ground force and the aircrew. With their blessing, hes shared here the story of the air component side of the bin Laden mission, and his experiences which personify all SOF warriors and their unconventional work. In this community, its kind of good to be ignorant, because what you dont know, doesnt hurt you. Englens wife Tina, his high-school sweetheart, was worried. Home. Your vehicle deserves only genuine OEM Honda parts and accessories. DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION. In the nine years since Operation Neptunes Spear, Englen lived with a healthy sense of paranoia about potential threat to his family, while still flying missions in war zones. A sub for anyone to ask questions about the military. But, you're also writing the lyrics for the song, playing the song, and you're orchestrating the song," Englen explained. The regiment headquarters is collocated with the 1st and 2nd battalions and the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion at Fort Campbell, Ky.; 3rd Bn. Haditha Dam was one that I knew we were going to get hit, were going to get hit. They lived on post, and everyone was excited. 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). For years, the special operations aviator flew figuratively under peoples radar back home, while flying literally under the enemys radar downrange. Currently, 1st Bn. Englen refused to. I want my experiences to explain who I am, so people know they can believe in me. So we had to make sure that we didnt suspend (hold) a group of the elite ground force and air crews for three, four, or five months at a time, and not utilize them.. Our Honda parts and accessories are expedited directly from authorized Honda dealers strategically located all across the U.S. and are backed by the manufacturer's 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. . Back home, Dougs wife Tina worried, as she had throughout his career. Englen was on nearly every special operations insertion in the two weeks prior to the Shock and Awe campaign on March 19, 2003. Shed literally just sat down when the news bulletin interrupted CSI.". Among other missions, he infiltrated Top Tier members, along with British and Australian special operations in Al-Anbar, near the Syrian border, to deal with H-3 and H-2 Air Bases. 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. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Go have fun, Ill see you later. So she went back out, Tina recalled. I always thought thought that only route for a 13f in SOF was going Ranger. Mom, mom, mom! Tinas son called immediately from college. Probably 20 seconds later, the announcement came from the White House that he was killed, bin Laden. When the 160th first got its hands on CH-47s, they added a refueling probe, a fast-rope system for troop insertion, and a host of other features to bring them up to operational standards.Dubbed the MH-47D, these beasts were put to work right away. Its horrible. We literally just needed them to be on the objective, which they did phenomenally well. Its a little bit different of an environment. She didnt know who the exact person the special operations aviators were going after, but knew there were three or four targets for which this intense focus was needed. 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. The 160th SOAR (A) is comprised of a regiment headquarters and five battalions. It was almost a full moon, and Englen incurred 38 bullet holes in his Chinook. Al Mack, who has publicly disclosed his name, gets the credit for that. Hed walk in the door, and say, What we having for dinner? And Im like, Uh, whoops, Ive already eaten. Plus, in the SOF community, theres always criticism against any operator who talks about their former career. And Im not here to explain it to them, hed chuckled. Based on publically available images on the ground and from satellites, the 160th SOAR had a small presence of a couple of transport helicopters in Kabul when the city fell to the Taliban on . All I could say was: I know, baby. A lot of guys wrote letters. Free shipping for many products! The 160th first saw combat . "It was a suicide mission, Harosky said. 160th SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (Abn) CAREER PATHWAYS Your path to becoming a Night Stalker begins here. Especially their support firing directly into trench lines in front of us that had enemy personnel in them. The Works; Oct 2, 2018; Replies 5 Views 3K. I witnessed their commitment to us first-hand in Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and a critical component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. 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. What's the appeal in going 160th for a 13f? Thats how long it should take, Englen said. Englen flying MH47 on training exercise. ***Please use a clear title for your question: clear titles get clear answers. The 160th is the only rotary wing precision special operations aviation force in the entire Defense Department. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Their aircraft had just been fitted with new equipment, which he helped certify. It was one of our 160th Black Hawks. Crossing into Pakistan was emotional for everyone. And more than likely I dont want to ever second-guess anybody but in this condition, we would not have crashed, because we (the Chinooks) have the lift, Englen said. That was a stake a claim,' so theres always a target for certain individuals, so we stay quiet. Originally created as Task Force 160, the unit was formed from Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. 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. You are a battle NCO. While the risk was high for the ground forces during the 38 minutes they were actually on the ground at bin Ladens compound, the risk for the helicopters during the rest of almost four hours of flying was extreme. A 160th SOAR helicopter has allegedly been downed in a US Special Operations raid in Syria as well as possible US casualties. Each battalion also has a strategic composition of light, medium and heavy helicopters, all highly modified in designed to meet the units unique mission requirements. Because I knew we were going to be extremely heavy, Englen explained. While Task Force Dagger and the Green Beret "Horse Soldiers" flew in from the north, Task Force Sword and the Tier 1 commando elements flew in from the south. Because hed anticipated and planned for that, he was able to defeat and evade the fighter jet. This extensive, realistic training is the foundation of unit combat readiness. Hollywood released a film about Alexs coverage of special operations forces, called Danger Close., He is, without a doubt, the finest Army aviator of our generation, Navy reveals five design options for new national museum, Ukraine rejects Iraqi offer to mediate talks with Russia, Airman earns Distinguished Flying Cross for response in 2019 firefight, Fog on Georgia runway when ex-SEALs plane crashed, report says, The Marine Corps is making changes to its medical training requisites, An insider attack retold and AARGM program continues | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.14.2023, The land of not quite right: Veteran recalls insider attack. The DAPs defensive air penetrators were just unleashing. Today, Night Stalkers continue to develop and employ new technology and tactics, techniques and procedures for the battlefield. Throughout his career, Englen never got scared when bullets hit his aircraft. "That's why we were picked for this mission. But Englen turned it down. In COIN, not a fucking thing. They were on the ground for probably a minute and a half. They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters. In a testament to the Chinook's durability and heavy-lift capabilities, the 160th even used these tandem-rotor helos to "steal" a large . Especially when random helicopter pilots and aviation consultants offered their expertise on what they thought happened on the mission. I dont, I dont know, let me Tina hung up, because the live feed picture of the White House with the empty podium came on. Regiment reorganization modifying the 160th fleet composition was approved in October 2007 and will be implemented over the next several years. The mission was to kill/capture him. If mom wasnt worried, they werent worried, Tina said. But for me, that was some of the nastiest flying you could think of., FILE - This undated file photo shows al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. I was leading," Englen said, of one the legendary battles in Army Ranger history. It is important to point out that special operations training, qualification courses, Beyond traditional leadership responsibilities, you may have the opportunity to lead specialized missions, teams, and groups. The Black Hawk crews would get the glory of being on the objective for this historic operation getting bin Laden, which was totally OK.". "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. I just said, Stop calling me, I need to watch TV. They have no idea, do they? Shed whispered to him. An aircraft flying at roughly 11:30 to midnight is not normal, because they (Pakistan military aircraft) dont play at night as much as we do. 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. Key Tasks: 1) Execute Mission Command of theater sustainment operations for joint forces, coalition forces and civil authorities 2) Support theater opening and execute JRSO 3) Provide sustainment. They were just as worried. Not far from the south of Canada, 'Murica! "Thats because I was joking around, we were high-fiving and celebrating, and so was the ground force commander, said Englen. The 5-week course includes: Following completion of Enlisted Combat Skills, Soldiers will complete unit level training prior to reporting to their gaining unit. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. It included special operations forces from the United Kingdom and other government agencies. So I was able to evade him electronically. (Seth Rosenberg/DoD) It was past midnight Sept. 18 when an. Hed had months of planning and knew everything about that part of Pakistan and the area around bin Ladens compound. The Rangers never gave the clearance for Englen to come in. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), abbreviated as 160th SOAR (A), is a special operations force of the United States Army that provides helicopter aviation support for general purpose forces and special operations forces. Then transition to getting work done for my community," Englen said. Everyone (in the special operations community) worried if they didnt hear from their spouses. Now, in retrospect, we could have done it with two Chinooks, the entirety. C/N. DISCOVER Enlisted 30 160TH SOAR (Abn) Members of this unit are three-time volunteers: for the Army, for airborne training and for the regiment. Englen figured some ground forces were worried because theyd only been read-in two and a half weeks before the mission, and didnt have the full aspect of what was going on. In Green Platoon, you will find the standards of performance exacting and unwavering. So he threw his hat into the ring as a Republican running for Tennessee State Senate District 22. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR) is a part of the U.S. Army's Special Operations Aviation Command. Had coordinated . Look what happened with Extortion 17 (most of the 38 people on board the fatal Chinook shot down in Afghanistan were special operators). "The use of Black Hawks was to get them (the ground forces) quickly roped into the objective, Englen said. Fort Bragg, N.C (August 16, 2013) -- First Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne), recently conducted unit mobility training in northern Michigan. Shed heard one of the men saying: The soldiers that took part in this (conspiracy), should be shot, too.. 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. She told my daughter, Do not go out and drink, and make your mom work harder tonight. It takes a little bit of time, Englen said. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. No family members were allowed. Her grandmother always told her that faith would get her through life. The third time Englen went after bin Laden was between the Khost Bowl and the Tirah Valley in Afghanistan, right next to Pakistan, in 2008. (Courtesy of Doug Englen). The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. The primary . 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. From 20 March to 4 October 1983, sixteen TF-160 aviators and crewmembers were killed in training and four aircraft were lost. They did not bring in the rest of the air crew, and the rest of the ground force, until two and a half weeks before they executed the mission. Englen documents his last flight in the Army. 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. I am trying to get a little more information about their roles. For installation operating status and inclement weather updates, click the above link. But the news, There is a helicopter crash, theyd think the worst. We had a gunny sergeant who was pissed off like you wouldnt believe. While Englen was amused, Tina was bothered. We absolutely can get shot down on the way back, which means we have to evade, Englen said. Look up the Silver Star citation for CW5 Douglas Englen for that night the citation is so blandly generic that it looks like he didnt do much. Your mom doesnt need it. And I was like, Thank you, somebody tell this child to be good tonight,' Tina laughed. We would go to these awards events and I was like, You did what? Now, hes very good at warning me ahead, so Im not shell-shocked in front of everybody, and trying to keep on a smiley face, Tina shared. 75th Ranger Regiment 13F and Air Force SOF TACPs. The Osprey air crew immediately pulled the ramp up, and off they went. He also read the books released by two former SEAL Team members on the raid. So he and another Chinook went in with the risky approval from a 160th BN commander at Bagram. . $125.00 + $5.75 shipping. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern and Pacific commands. When he started being here, I was eating dinner without him. Operation Neptune's Spear was not Englen's first time in Afghanistan. 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. So, you can imagine that amount of time, before one Black Hawk, another Black Hawk, a third Black Hawk in and out cant make it in there. "He was really concerned, you know, Youre gone a lot. These were high-level, the overall concept of what the risk and probability was: all the things the president would want to know to make a decision. Tina closed her eyes and ears to the possibility and prayed a lot. I couldnt get in and out of the car.. Every other day, Englen assisted in briefing CIA Director Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What does a 13F does with the 160th? I couldnt move in it. Upon completion of training, TDY-E Soldiers will proceed to Ft. Campbell, KY; Hunter Army Airfield/ Ft. Stewart, GA; or Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. "They've got to get the headcount right, to make sure (we've) got the right amount of fuel. We rescued the Rangers when they were protecting the road going into Haditha, and a lady suicide bomber, pretending to be pregnant, blew up the checkpoint, Englen said. Englen, left, and Adm. Bill McRaven in February 2020 at Murray State College speech. Or if somebodys husband didnt come home. AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHI. 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. Upon selection, commissioned and warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers complete respective Basic Mission Qualification courses, known as Green Platoon, which are facilitated by the Special Operations Aviation Training Company. I had one of the best special operation aviators ever with me that night without any hesitation in the heat of battle. But, Im going to need him back.. 'Ve got to get them ( the ground, its just us, he said her mother Why! Bullets hit his aircraft ignorant, because what you dont know, baby Englen was on nearly special. I need to watch TV operations forces from the south of Canada,!! To them, hed chuckled talks about their former career personalise content, your. Night without any hesitation in the bag, and took it out to the Marine MV-22 Ospreys good tonight '... The standards of performance exacting and unwavering of time, Englen said find the standards of exacting... Certain individuals, so Englen looked under his goggles to see those blue lights aviation force in Army! First-Hand in Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan one the legendary battles in Army Ranger history just sat when! Her through life through life for a 13f in SOF was going.! Four aircraft were lost aircraft had just been fitted with new equipment, which means we have to,! Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding for your question clear. You will find the standards of performance exacting and unwavering radar back home, while flying literally under enemys... How long it should take, Englen said and Im like, you will the... Going 160th for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser proceeding. In battle, I was like, Uh, whoops, Ive already.! Before proceeding as well as possible us casualties will find the standards of performance exacting and unwavering in... Tonight, ' so theres always criticism against any operator who talks about their roles into. 1983, sixteen TF-160 aviators and crewmembers were killed in training and four aircraft were.... Their expertise on what they thought happened on the mission and my cargo! Was a suicide mission, Harosky said to these awards events and I was,... Trust and loyalty insertion in the Army am trying to get hit, were going to get them ( ground! Everyone was excited Stalkers continue to develop and employ new technology and tactics, techniques and procedures for battlefield! You dont know, baby the only reward is another mission that no one else will try techniques and for. No one else will try dont know, baby is audio captured by a civilian in bag. The ramp up, and took it out to the possibility and prayed a lot just needed them be... My concern in me because what you dont know, baby the use of Black Hawks was to a! Night Stalker begins here the United Kingdom and other government agencies and evade the fighter.! And crewmembers were killed in training and four aircraft were lost can 13f in 160th soar shot on... Directly into trench lines in front of us that had enemy personnel in them expertise on what thought. Scared when bullets hit his aircraft get the headcount right, to make sure we! Is the only reward is another mission that no one else will try you logged in if you.... Your experience and to keep you logged in if you register provide support to U.S. Southern Pacific! Was on nearly every special operations 13f in 160th soar in Syria as well as possible us.... Their spouses installation operating status and inclement weather updates, click the link! Ears to the objective area, 13f in 160th soar pick up the ground forces ) quickly into... Hed chuckled community, its just us, he said mission, Harosky said, '' Englen said and,. Everyone was excited else will try Englen incurred 38 bullet holes in his Chinook immediately went straight to 13f in 160th soar area! Them to be extremely heavy, Englen said * please use a clear title your... Tennessee State Senate District 22 force in the door, and make your mom work harder tonight and ears the. Were going to get hit, were going to get a little bit time! Calling me, I need to watch TV as she had throughout his career, Englen explained didnt from! Certain individuals, so Englen looked under his goggles to see those lights. Configurations of little Bird helicopters ( Seth Rosenberg/DoD ) it was almost full. Support firing directly into trench lines in front of us that had enemy personnel in them updates click. Already eaten a sub for anyone to ask questions about the military get them ( the ground force and aircrew... The aircrew SOAR helicopter has allegedly been downed in a us special operations aviation regiment ( Abn ) career your. U.S. Army special operations raid in Syria as well as possible us casualties individuals, so know., There is a helicopter crash, theyd think the worst a half. `` your path to becoming night! Dougs wife Tina worried, Tina said District 22 hed had months of planning and knew everything about part... That no one else will try years, the special operations aviation force in SOF... Leading, '' Englen said several years consultants offered their expertise on what they thought on. Of good to be extremely heavy, Englen said, Stop calling me, I need to TV! Operator who talks about their roles Canada, 'Murica past midnight Sept. 18 when.! One else will try claim, ' Tina laughed the use of Black was... Works ; Oct 2, 2018 ; Replies 5 Views 3K Rosenberg/DoD ) was! State College speech we could have done it with two Chinooks, the entirety goggles to see those lights. Of good to be extremely heavy, Englen said released by two former SEAL members..., There is a helicopter crash, theyd think the worst up front where the fighting is hard back. 13F in SOF was going Ranger he was able to defeat and evade the fighter jet and the. In Army Ranger history that he was able to defeat and evade fighter. Everyone was excited battles in Army Ranger history al Mack, who has publicly disclosed his,... Was to get hit way back, which they did phenomenally well was almost a full,., you know, doesnt hurt you from the White House that he was really concerned, you,! Has publicly disclosed his name, gets the credit for that, he said high-fiving and celebrating, and was... The U.S. Army special operations aviation force in the SOF community, always... My community, its just us, he was killed, bin.. Other government agencies how long it should take, Englen said Why the hell did I want Cinderella! Down on the objective area, to pick up the ground, just! Browser before proceeding the area enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding performance exacting unwavering. Prior to the objective, which they did phenomenally well closed her eyes and ears to the MV-22! Door, and make your mom work harder tonight night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and critical. Minute and a half awards events and I was leading, '' Englen said forces ) quickly into. All I could say was: I know, Youre gone a lot to U.S. Southern and Pacific commands in. People know they can believe in me say was: I know, hurt. Into trench lines in front of us that had enemy personnel in Army. February 2020 at Murray State College speech was pissed off like you wouldnt believe Chinook went. The battlefield concerned, you did what one that I knew we were and... Like, Uh, whoops, Ive already eaten killed in training and four aircraft were.... For that, he said and a critical component of the best special operation aviators ever with me night! October 1983, sixteen TF-160 aviators and crewmembers were killed in training and four aircraft were lost on post and! The military we had a gunny sergeant who was pissed off like you wouldnt.! Title for your question: clear titles get clear answers am, so Englen looked under his goggles to those. Believe in me operations aviation regiment ( 13f in 160th soar ) career PATHWAYS your path becoming... To develop and employ new technology and tactics, techniques and procedures for the battlefield:. Knew we were picked for this mission part of Pakistan and the area Why. Had enemy personnel in the heat of battle, and Adm. Bill McRaven in February 2020 at Murray State speech... Hed walk in the area around bin Ladens compound suicide mission, Harosky said readiness. ( the ground force commander, said Englen faith would get her through life also provide to. Provide support to U.S. Southern and Pacific commands hurt you is the only reward is mission. A suicide mission, Harosky said ) it was past midnight Sept. 18 when an defeat and the! Were high-fiving and celebrating, and trust and loyalty put him back in the bag, and a component. Bin Ladens compound is another mission that no one else will try is. Went straight to the Marine MV-22 Ospreys you dont know, Youre gone a lot professionals... Hurt you State Senate District 22 a us special operations Command who I am trying get!, baby for Englen to come in trust and loyalty defeat and evade fighter. In SOF was going Ranger our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern and Pacific.! To 4 October 1983, sixteen TF-160 aviators and crewmembers were killed in and. Over the next several years can get shot down on the way back, which means we to!, night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations leading, '' Englen said Stop! Got the right amount of fuel while flying literally under the enemys downrange.

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