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160TH Honors Fallen Americans
USASOC PAO CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY --
While flying missions in support of the war on terrorism, members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky., carried with them many symbols of those individuals who were killed by the tragic events on Sept. 11.
The “Night Stalkers,” as members of the unit are called, proudly wore and displayed flags, patches and other items as a show of unity and a tribute to America’s fallen heroes.
The tributes began when a service member who volunteered to help remove wreckage at ground zero gave the 160th pieces of that wreckage to be buried in Afghanistan. He also gave members of the unit dozens of New York City fire and police department patches.
The pilots and crews sewed the patches on their uniforms, symbolically bringing the NYC fire department with them on their flights into Afghanistan. They also painted “NYFD” and various New York fire department logos on their helicopters.
“Wearing the patches constantly reminded us of what started this whole war,” said one 160th pilot. “They wanted us to wear them in honor of their fallen comrades. When this whole thing is over, we’re planning on meeting the firemen and exchanging a few stories.”
On the very first helicopter flight flown into Afghanistan, the crew carried with them two American flags. Before departing, the flight leader took out a piece of paper and wrote a simple note to President Bush. “Sir, with all our respect, sense of duty, honor and patriotism for our great nation, we are honored to carry this precious cargo. God bless the United States of America and God bless the U.S. military.” Each crewmember then signed the letter before walking out in the darkness for their mission into the unknown.
“You were going some place that no one else had been,” the air mission commander said later. “There was an intense level of uncertainty and such an adrenaline rush.”
They successfully returned and immediately following the debriefing session, a commander read that letter aloud. “Everyone stood a little taller after that first mission,” said a Night Stalker pilot. A Special Forces team later raised one of the flags at the U.S. embassy in Kabul. The second flag made its way to the White House.
Perhaps most touching though was honoring a special request made by a father in memory of his daughter, a flight attendant who was serving on one of the hijacked planes.
“Would it be possible,” the father wrote, “to have some soldier, some good man or woman, carry these wings with them in our war against terrorism. These wings were pinned on me by our daughter’s wingmate on the day of her memorial. I wore them that day and as we closed out our daughter’s apartment and her life. I wore them to ground zero, where the evil invaders of our country and our lifestyle hurled themselves into hell and killed 5,000 innocent civilians. They are of sturdy medal, having resisted a lot of tears and sweaty palms, without tarnishing. My intent was to return them to her wingmate, but I want them to travel to action first for my daughter.”
A solemn “hoo-ah” filled the briefing tent after the letter was read. A crew chief immediately asked if he could wear the wings.
“After hearing the letter, I thought it would be a real honor to fly with them,” said Staff Sgt. Mark. “I’d just like to thank her father for giving me that privilege.” While pinned on his body armor, the flight attendant’s wings flew into action more than 20 times.
As soldiers and citizens of America, the Night Stalkers said it was a true privilege to carry the precious cargo, to wear the patches and to fly with the fire and police department logos, and they thank those who sent them the symbols and tributes. America can take heart in their military and especially the 160th SOAR whose motto says it all, “Night Stalkers don’t quit.”