Special Operations Aviation

Latest in Special Operations Aviation

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has confirmed that it has no plans for a direct replacement for the U-28A Draco, which is primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Any Plans For Direct U-28 Draco Special Ops Surveillance Plane Replacement Abandoned

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 2, 2026

Plans for a new tranche of upgrades for U.S. Army special operations MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters are heavily tied to continued progress, or lack thereof, on an improved engine.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

New Engines Key To Night Stalker MH-60M Black Hawk Upgrade Plans

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 21, 2026

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is in the early stages of the search for a replacement for the C-146 Wolfhound cargo plane.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Hunt For C-146 Wolfhound Special Ops Transport Plane Replacement Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 20, 2026

An OA-1K Skyraider II comes in for a landing on a dirt path July 10 on the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida range. The new Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft continues developmental testing with the 96th Test Wing and the U.S. Special Operations Command at Eglin.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Plan To Test OA-1K Skyraider II’s Rapid Deployability Outlined By Air Force Special Ops Command

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2026

A Pilatus PC-12 from the 318th Special Operations Squadron practices touch-and-go maneuvers at Truth or Consequences, N.M., January 24, 2019. The 318th Squadron primarily flies with the U-28A aircraft, however they use the PC-12 as a practice aircraft. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Vernon R. Walter III)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Aircraft Accused Of Austrian Airspace Incursion

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The U.S. Army has given us our first glimpse at what the new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will look like in its special operations configuration.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

FARP in Iran set up by special tactics squadron airman during WSO rescue.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

How A Dusty Strip Deep In Iran Can Be Turned Into A U.S. Special Operations Base In Hours

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

Little birds of the 160th SOAR were destroyed in Iran after the successful rescue of a F-15E WSO
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Night Stalker AH-6 Little Bird Helicopters Destroyed At Forward Landing Site In Iran

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 5, 2026

L3Harris has highlighted the potential benefits of pairing its Red Wolf miniature cruise missile with the U.S. Air Force's OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Red Wolf Cruise Missile Eyed To Give OA-1K Skyraider II Standoff Strike Capability

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

U.S. forces were prepared to destroy three airfields if it appeared that fighters belonging to the Venezuelan Air Force were attempting to scramble and intercept the force sent to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
Special Operations Aviation

U.S. Was Primed To Destroy Three Venezuelan Airfields If Fighters Attempted To Launch

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 15, 2026

A U.S. plane with a civilian-style outward appearance and the ability to launch munitions from within its fuselage carried out the first controversial strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat, according to multiple reports.
Special Operations Aviation

Let’s Talk About The Mysterious “Civilian-Style” Plane Used To Strike A Drug Boat

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2026

The Little Bird's small size and incredible transportability mean that it can appear from virtually anywhere, on land or at sea, and are among the capabilities that have long endeared the type to the U.S. Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).
Special Operations Aviation

Night Stalker MH-6 Little Bird’s Ability To Appear Out Of Nowhere Highlighted In Tanker Raid

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

U.S. forces have secured the runaway Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, a U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

U.S. Forces Seize Fleeing Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker In North Atlantic (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 7, 2026

Despite parallels drawn between the two operations, one asset that featured prominently in the Bin Laden mission in 2011 that looks to have been notably absent in the force that descended on Caracas over the weekend is stealthy Black Hawk helicopters.
Special Operations Aviation

Why Stealth Black Hawks Weren’t Used For Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approach Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic during a forward arming and refueling point exercise, MCOLF Atlantic, May 6, 2025. U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft from the 160th SOAR utilized MCAS Cherry Point’s training area to conduct a FARP. This training is essential for enhancing the unit’s operational readiness and ensuring efficient support for rapid deployment, as Cherry Point provides the facilities and resources to simulate real world scenarios.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

This Is What The Night Stalkers’ MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator Brought To The Venezuelan Op

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

A surge of aircraft from the U.S. to the U.K. has sparked speculation of a SOF aviation buildup.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 5, 2026