Who’s flying the best SOF units into harm’s way?
JSOCs TF 160th, that’s who.
Helicopter pilots in general are often the black sheep of the military aviation community. I saw this first hand as an H-60 Search & Rescue Swimmer Crew Chief (AW) before I went into the SEALs. A lot of jet jocks would shun their nose at the Helo pilots. I’d like to see their fucking eyes go big watching the Bad Ass pilots of TF 160. I have a feeling their jet egos would shrink up and the pitch in their voice would get real high……
From USASOC’s Sine Pari Magazine
“On Oct. 16, 1981, the Department of Defense officially recognized a unit dedicated to providing helicopter support to the nation’s Special Operations Forces. That small formation has evolved into today’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).”
I’ve always had a love of aviation and myself have a measly 500 hours of flight time and my instrument rating. I love to fly, I have ever since NSW gave me the time to get pilot trained seven years ago. My hours are NOTHING compared to what most military pilots have. It takes 3-5 years for a TF 160 pilot to get Fully Mission Capable (3-5 years!). These guys have more hours flying on Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) than most airline pilots will have in a career of flying. And for those of you that are in the aviation know, that’s a pretty damn substantial fact. Airline pilots log tens of thousands of hours, however, TF 160th pilots log this much and more, all on NVGs.
So who’s the best? TF-160th Helicopter Pilots that’s who….
I’m just wondering who’s flying these AT-802s and crop dusting bad guys for JSOC.
I heard about this through my friend “Gimli,” a former SF soldier. The concept is a pilot/gunner in a dual seat AT-802. It would take a ground crew of 1-2 people. It would be able to land on rough strips/roads near ODA/SEAL FOBs and be a CAS asset for them.
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Im aware of all of that James. I was just stating what the Marine 1 pilots think when it comes to best pilots around. In fact, a very good friend of mine has to leave his law enforcement job on occasion to fly helicopters for another government agency that I wont name. But lets just say this, he had been stationed at Ft Rucker for many years before he took a job flying helicopters for the nations second largest police force
JSOC/CIA pilots are the best including the 160th ,Technical Operations Support Activity (TOSA),66th Air Operations Squadron (66th AOS), and lastly Aviation Tactics and Evaluation Group (AVTEG) the CIA SAD SOG AVATION BRANCH AND MARATIME BRANCH (SEA PLANES) and other special acccess programs that fly ultra top secret planes thatare often mistaken for ufo's
Rumor has it that the Marine 1 pilots think they are the best helicopter pilots in the world
I had the honor of working with them several times when I was active duty. They weren't well known back then. Best helo pilots in the world!! Totally "let's get 'er done' as regards to mission. During my sneaking around days in Africa, the ISR Pilatus P-12, all grey, no markings was my fav. No wps racks, but we could F up your day - good on grass and clay also. I've seen wing racks on Cessna Caravan's... station wagon goes to war.
Although this article originally appeared on SOFREP in 2012, it's nice to see it again. I read it as one of Brandon's archived articles, when I joined in 2014. Anytime I can read anything talking about the greatness of the 160th SOAR (a), I am a happy girl. It was in reading a book about the Night Stalkers, that I proactively began learning about our Military. I fell in love with the greatest pilots, who would ever fly in the Night Sky. I learned everything that I could, about them. I was in awe. Then, I found "The Red Circle"...which led me to SOFREP...and I am so grateful!!! My world has really been opened up, because of your vision, Brandon. If I could go back and live my life again, it would include Military Service....the goal would be the 160th SOAR(a)...because, Night Stalkers Don't Quit!!! Guess it will have to be in my next life!!! LOL