David Patrie

82nd Airborne

U.S. Army

The 82nd Airborne Division is a specialized infantry division of the United States Army. It is known for its rapid deployment capability and ability to conduct airborne operations. The division has a long and storied history, playing a crucial role in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, the Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 82nd Airborne Division is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and remains one of the most highly trained and ready divisions in the U.S. Army.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the "Night Stalkers," was officially activated in 1981 following the lessons learned from Operation Eagle Claw, the failed 1980 Iran hostage rescue mission. Tasked with providing precision rotary-wing support to U.S. Special Operations Forces, the 160th SOAR specializes in night-time, low-level, and covert missions using advanced helicopters like the MH-47 Chinook, MH-60 Black Hawk, and MH-6 Little Bird. Over the decades, Night Stalkers have participated in numerous high-profile operations, including Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, and the raid that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. Renowned for their motto, "Night Stalkers Don't Quit," the regiment continues to be a critical component of U.S. special operations worldwide.