The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) provides aviation support to Army special operations forces. The Regiment consists of MH-6 and AH-6 light helicopters, MH-60 helicopters and MH-47 heavy assault helicopters. The capabilities of the 160th SOAR (A) have been evolving since the early 1980s.

Shortly after a failed hostage rescue mission, Desert One, in Iran, the Army formed a special aviation unit. The unit drew on the best aviators in the Army and immediately began an intensive training program in low-level, night operations. The unit became a battalion of its own on Oct. 16, 1981. Designated the 160th Aviation Battalion, the unit was popularly known as Task Force 160 because of the constant attachment and detachment of units to prepare for a wide variety of missions. Its focus on night operations resulted in the nickname, the "Night Stalkers." On May 16, 1990, the unit was reorganized, designated the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), and assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

The Regiment currently consists of three battalions, a headquarters company, the Special Operations Aviation Training Company, and two forward-deployed companies located in the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility.  The 1st and 2nd battalions are located at Fort Campbell, Ky., while the 3rd Battalion is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.  The organizational structure of the 160th SOAR (A) allows the Regiment to quickly tailor its unique assets to meet the mission requirements of special operations forces.

The 160th SOAR (A) actively seeks and assigns the best-qualified aviators and support soldiers available in the Army. The unique mission of the unit requires that all members be three time volunteers, i.e. Army, Airborne, 160th SOAR (A).  Once assigned, incoming officers and enlisted soldiers go through Basic Mission Qualification. The Officer Qualification Course lasts 20-28 weeks while the Enlisted Qualification Course is three weeks in duration. Two other qualification levels exist, Fully Mission Qualified and Flight Lead.  Associated progression through these levels are 12-24 months and 36-60 months respectively.

The professionalism and capabilities of Army Special Operations Aviation, developed through a "train as you’re going to fight" mentality, were demonstrated in every combat operation since Vietnam to include Urgent Fury in Grenada, Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf, Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Kuwait, and Task Force Ranger in Somalia.