The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is the primary rotary-wing support to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces and offers opportunities for Officer, Warrant Officer, and Enlisted Army personnel in a wide variety of Military Occupational Specialities, not just CMF 15.
There is an application process to become a Nightstalker, with assessment, selection and training requirements.
Visit the 160th SOAR Recruiting Team for more info.
As of October 16, 2020, Task Force Dagger Foundation is doing business as Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation. The decision to update the name of the organization to include Special Operations was made to reinforce the commitment to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. Since 2009, Task Force Dagger Foundation has been a reliable resource for SOCOM and has provided more than $6.5 million in support to 3,600 families. The organization will continue to provide assistance to wounded, ill and injured SOF service members and their families through its three core programs: Immediate Needs, Rehabilitative Adaptive Events and the TFDSOF Health Initiatives. The rebranding includes an updated website and logo to reflect the new name. Visit the new website here www.taskforcedagger.org
This year has been a difficult year for many nonprofits, and Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation is no exception. As the need to support the SOF community continues, TFDSOF is seeking year-end contributions and recurring monthly donors so they may continue to assist SOF families as Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation.
To become a donor, contact TFDSOF Executive Director, Alan Williams at alan.williams@taskforcedagger.org or donate on their website www.taskforcedagger.org
United States Army Special Operations School has announced the establishment of a Special Warfare heritage center in Colonel Aaron Bank Hall, Fort Bragg, N.C. According to the announcement, the heritage center will be a world class facility designed to educate future generations of Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations Soldiers on their rich history and legacy.
The heritage center will house the artifact collection formerly housed at the U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School Museum. The U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the heritage center.
The long-term goal of the heritage center will be to make the collection more easily accessible to the entire ARSOF community. We look forward to sharing our illustrious history with veterans and the public in the future.
Yesterday and today October 3rd and 4th is the Day of the Rangers, Battle of Mogadishu or better known as Blackhawk Down. Task Force Ranger was tasked with conducting a raid to capture two lieutenants of a Somali warlord. Task Force Ranger was made of members of C squadron of the 1st Special Forces Group Detachment Delta and B company of 3rd Ranger Battalion, Task Force 160 Special Operation Aviation Regiment, SEALs from Naval Special Warfare Development Group and Air Force Pararescuemen and Combat Controllers from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. They were transported to the target by ground and helicopters. The mission should have only taken about an hour. They inserted around 1350 local time, from the start they found themselves under heavy fire. When two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down (the first being around 1620 local) it quickly went from a snatch and grab to a rescue and recovery. A long ground battle to place and the U.S. forces were heavily outnumbered. By the time the last Troops made it to safety at a UN base it was around 0640 local on the 4th.
While leaving the last crash site, a group of Rangers and Delta operators led by SSG John R. Dycus realized that there wasn’t enough room in the vehicles for them and they were forced to move out on foot to a rendezvous point on National Street but they ended up going all the way back to the UN Base. This is known as the Mogadishu Mile. They think it was anywhere from 3.5 to 4 miles.
Casualties included 19 dead American soldiers and 73 wounded, with Malaysian forces suffering one death and seven wounded, and Pakistani forces suffering one death and two injuries. There were between 315 and 2,000 Somali casualties. Two Medals of Honor were posthumously awarded to MSG Gary Gordan and SFC Randy Shughart for their actions on the ground to protect one of the pilots (Mike Durant) and the crash site.
1st SFOD-D
MSG Gary Gordon Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four Medal of Honor
SFC Randy Shughart Killed defending the crew of Super Six-Four Medal of Honor
SSG Daniel Busch Crashed on Super Six-One, died from wounds received defending the downed crew Silver Star
SFC Earl Fillmore Killed moving to the first crash site Silver Star
SFC Matt Rierson Killed on October 6, 1993 by a mortar which landed just outside the hangar Silver Star
MSG Tim “Griz” Martin Died from wounds received on the Lost Convoy Silver Star and Purple Heart
3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
CPL Jamie Smith Died of wounds with the pinned-down force around crash site one Bronze Star with Valor Device and Oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart
SPC James Cavaco Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device
SGT Casey Joyce Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device
PFC Richard “Alphabet” Kowalewski Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device
SGT Dominick Pilla Killed on Struecker’s convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz Killed on the Lost Convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device
160th SOAR (Nightstalkers)
SSG William Cleveland Crew chief on Super Six-Four-killed Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device
SSG Thomas Field Crew chief on Super Six-Four-killed Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device
CW4 Raymond Frank Copilot of Super Six-Four-killed Silver Star, Air Medal with Valor Device
CW3 Clifton “Elvis” Wolcott Pilot of Super Six-One and died in crash Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device
CW2 Donovan “Bull” Briley Copilot of Super Six-One and died in crash Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor Device
2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade 10th Mountain Division
SGT Cornell Houston Killed on the rescue convoy Bronze Star with Valor Device, de Fleury Medal
PFC James Martin Killed on the rescue convoy Purple Heart
Special Operations Association Virtual Reunion (SOAR) XLIV is taking place 19-22 October via Zoom. The SOA is second in size only to the Special Forces Association when it comes to Special Forces members, but SOA is open to a wider audience.
Because the reunion is virtual, there are no fees and it’s been opened up to all Special Forces members & Veterans, and those interested in MACV-SOG history.
Several events will be of interest to many of of you. The Plei Me Webinar, the SF Authors Book talk, vendor tables, the POW/MIA presentation, MOH Video presentation on SGM Thomas “Patrick” Payne, the SOA Video History Project update, and, of course, hospitality rooms where you can socialize with your friends.
Everyday marks an anniversary of a significant event in American military history, but today stands out among them.
On this date in 1993, US service members were engaged in what is now known as the Battle of Mogadishu. A joint organization was formed named ” TF Ranger” to deploy to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of a UN-led humanitarian mission. Already having conducted operations for some time, on 3 October they raided the city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.
Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid, a battle ensued which claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the Aideed militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.
Of the men killed that day, two would be awarded the Medal of Honor, Delta Operators Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, for their selfless efforts to protect Durant after his aircraft, callsign Super 64, was shot down.
If you are unfamiliar with the events, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.
Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.
Additionally, the 75th Ranger Regiment was created on this day in 1984, with the stand up of its 3rd Battalion. Thirty-five years later, the Ranger Regiment boasts boasts five battalions of some of the most elite warriors on the face of our planet.
USSOCOM’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) team needs solutions for the following special areas of interest:
Phase I:
SOCOM203-001 – Positioning, Navigation and Timing for Target Acquisition
SOCOM203-002 – Handheld Celestial Navigation System
SOCOM203-003 – High-Performance Multi-Platform / Sensor Computing Engine
SOCOM203-004 – Geospatially Integrated Cyber Situational Awareness
Direct to Phase II:
SOCOM203-D007 – Maneuver Level Laser Target Designator
SOCOM203-D008 – Deployable At-Sea Mid-Wave Infrared Emitter
SOCOM203-D009 – Interoperable Simulation and Gaming Mesh
Visit SOFWERX for more information.
FORT BENNING, Ga. —
The 24th Special Operations Wing transitioned responsibility of the 17th Special Tactics Squadron from the 720th Special Tactics Group to the 724th Special Tactics Group during a re-assignment ceremony at the 17th STS headquarters, Fort Benning, Georgia, Oct. 1, 2020.
“Today we recognize the end of a tremendous era under the 720th Special Tactics Group and the start of an exciting opportunity as part of the 724th Special Tactics Group,” said Lt. Col. Travis Deutman, commander of the 17th STS. “Reassignment is nothing new for the 17th.”
In August of 2013, the squadron, originally known as the 17th Air Operations Support Squadron, was re-designated as the 17th STS by then-Col. Robert Armfield, the 24th SOWs first wing commander. This time around, Col. Matt Allen, the current 24th SOW commander, presided over the ceremony and the presentation of the new guidon.
“The 17th STS continues to forge its voice as one of the premiere units within Air Force Special Operations Command and the United States Air Force,” said Allen. “I want to thank the individuals within this unit who have built this legacy of honor and valor.”
The primary mission of the 17th STS is to provide Special Tactics Tactical Air Control Party Airmen to the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment for unconventional operations and the transition will provide further opportunities to continue supporting the regiment.
“We look forward to continuing steadfast fires and reconnaissance support to the Ranger mission and its objectives,” said Deutman. “Reassignment to the [724th Special Tactics Group] will realize synergies, efficiencies and unite of command to push our operational alignment with the Ranger Regiment to the next level.”
The 724th STG is one of two subordinate groups under the 24th SOW, which provides training and technical assistance in the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure standardization across the AFSOC Special Tactics community.
“The [17th STS] has always been part of the family, but this will put them in the right organizational construct to become even more effective,” said Col. Mark McGill, commander of the 724th STG. “It’s all about optimizing our ability to train as well as generate mission effectiveness and this is a necessary step to actualize that.”
The 17th STS is geographically separated in three locations so the unit can train and deploy alongside all five of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s 75th Ranger Regiment battalions. The squadron is headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, alongside the Regimental Headquarters, 3rd Ranger Battalion, Regimental Special Troops Battalion, and Regimental Military Intelligence Battalion. Two operational detachments are located at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, alongside the 1st Ranger Battalion, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, alongside the 2nd Ranger Battalion. The unit’s physical locations will remain the same through the transition.
“While a lot might be changing, I can guarantee the commitment, professionalism and excellence of the 17th STS members will remain,” said Deutman.
Another aspect which will remain is the application process for future ST TACP candidates looking to join the 17th STS’ community of warriors. The 24th SOW will continue to host assessment and selection iterations for Special Tactics TACPs at Hurlburt Field, Florida, hand-selecting the most skilled operators to carry out the wing’s special operations precision strike mission.
“You have furthered the reach of America’s combat power,” said Allen. “You’ve held at bay violent extremist organizations and state actors as they challenge us from abroad, and you have kept a promise to Americans … especially to our joint teammates, that no matter where they are on the battlespace, they will never be outmatched.”
Air Force Special Tactics is U.S. Special Operations Command’s air-ground integration force and the Air Force’s ground force specializing in Global Access, Precision Strike, Personnel Recovery and Battlefield Surgery operations.
For anyone wanting more information on how to join the 17th Special Tactics Squadron, email SDScreening@jdi.socom.mil
By Lt Alejandra Fontalvo, 24th Special Operations Wing
