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Special Feature |
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NIGHT STALKERS 'don't quit' BY JACK
SATTERFIELD
The men and women of the 160th, also known as the "Night Stalkers," have compiled a remarkable record in just two decades of service. Created after the failed attempt to rescue Americans held hostage in Iran in the late 1970s, the Night Stalkers' mission is to handle any assignment involving rotorcraft - which means just about everything - anywhere in the world, any time, at a moment's notice. To meet these demanding requirements, the Ft. Cambell, Ky.-based unit has developed unique capabilities and flies specially configured helicopters, including the 2nd Battalion's MH-47E Special Operations Chinooks. Since its inception, the unit has handled vital missions in every major U.S. combat action and many others that will never be publicized. During the briefing, held last month and attended by national news and
aerospace reporters, veteran aviators and air crewmen - who remain anonymous
for security reasons - discussed their harrowing missions in Afghanistan.
All agreed that among U.S. and allied military helicopters, the Chinook
is the only one that could fly with the full loads of In the first six months of the war against terrorism, Night Stalker Chinooks flew more than 200 combat missions totaling about 2,000 flight hours. The Chinooks flew as high as 16,000 feet (which forced crews to use oxygen systems) for as long as 15 hours. More than 70 of these missions, flown in the war's first three months, involved infiltration or removal of special operations troops behind enemy lines. Throughout, the Chinooks maintained a 99-percent mission readiness rate. During Operation Anaconda in northeast Afghanistan, the MH-47Es proved their combat mettle. Taliban and Al Qaeda forces zeroed in with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades on Night Stalker Chinooks as they landed troops during the battle.
Later, Chinooks returned to pick up the American troops, who destroyed the enemy stronghold. Despite severe combat damage, all but one of the Chinooks involved are expected to return to flight. As the discussion ended, a Night Stalker pilot summed up his colleagues' feelings about their MH-47Es. "We couldn't have done it without the Chinooks," he said. Reporters at the briefing later learned firsthand about MH-47E capability:
a demonstration flight featured 150-mph maneuvers through Fort Campbell's
woodlands - below treetop level. For the 2nd Battalion, Boeing Chinooks
clearly help to underscore the regimental motto, "Night Stalkers Don't
Quit!" |
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