Air Warrior Col. John W. Thompson - KMI Media Group

Q: Night Stalkers—the name
really says it all. Is the current
state-of-the-art in night
vision getting the job done for
you? What enhancements are
you most interested in being
brought forward for your
operators?
A: Night vision goggles [NVGs]
are still our primary tool for
night vision and will be in
the foreseeable future. We are
currently using third generation
devices and have looked at
generation 3+ types of NVGs.
The next step is potentially
going to be synthetic vision,
which will combine our optics
and optic systems. Whether
it is forward-looking infrared,
thermal, day/night TV or radar
has yet to be seen. A likely
solution will be a combination
of at least two of those
system types to provide our
warfighters the ability to see
inside bad weather, dust and
other battlefield obscurations. Industry is always trying to improve
our night fighting capability. With that said, the ability to conduct
brownout takeoffs and landings and get to and from the objective
in deteriorated weather conditions continues to be among our
main concerns.
Currently all of the regiment’s aircraft have the ability to mount
a sensor device for enhanced night fighting capability. Our MH-47
Chinooks and MH-60 Black Hawks can fly in visibility that would
ground most other conventional aircraft. They are equipped with
both radar and infrared sensors. The regiment continuously prods
industry with our needs and desires to keep Night Stalkers on the
leading edge of the night fight.
Q: Let’s go back to your growth for a minute. How is the 160th
doing in retaining its pilots and mechanics and not losing them to
other services or the commercial industry?
A: The regiment is retaining a vast number of our experienced
aviators and crew members. We are always conscious of the fact that
many of our aviators are at or near 20 years of military service. Even
at those mature lengths of military service, more than 60 percent of
our warrant officer pilots are currently committed by a service obligation.
Fortunately we are able to offer our warrant officer aviators
and enlisted crewmembers on flight status special retention bonus
options that are reflective of their invaluable Night Stalking experience
and commitment to the SOAR mission.
Like any organization, we do experience normal attrition from
things like changes of duty station, end of service and retirement.
Q: Are there areas of research and development that are of particular
interest to the 160th?
24 | SOTECH 8.9
U.S. Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), stirs up yellow smoke as it prepares to land on
a landing zone in Kovachevo, Croatia. [Photo courtesy of DoD]
A: Yes. At the system level, we are interested in advances in transparent
armor solutions that are light enough for rotorcraft application.
We have a keen interest in emerging technology using multi-spectral
sensors for night vision devices, obstacle avoidance and aircraft
survivability against guided and unguided threats. For instance,
solutions to aid flight in a degraded visual environment will likely
require the seamless integration of more than one sensor technology,
such as some combination of electro-optical, radar, laser or infrared.
We are also interested in self-forming networks for airborne data
transfer between manned and unmanned systems [that can work with
or without satellite connectivity] to share imagery, full motion video,
ASE-derived tactical situation and other aircraft data. Finally, we are
always interested in technologies that increase aircraft performance
and those that reduce our visual, acoustic and infrared signatures.
Q: Since the 160th has been actively engaged in combat operations
for a third of its existence, what is the enduring factor that allows
the regiment to maintain its high operational tempo?
A: There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the greatest asset
in this regiment is the overwhelming number of talented and
dedicated soldiers of the 160th. From our fearless pilots and crews
to our innovative and tireless maintainers and support staff, to our
dedicated and experienced civilian employees, this regiment runs
day and night on the strength of their character and commitment.
They continuously plan, adapt and successfully execute complex
and dangerous missions worldwide. While it is entirely true that
we are provided with the best aircraft, equipment and technology
available, at the end of the day they are merely tools to be utilized by
the irreplaceable soldiers who we call Night Stalkers. Night Stalkers
don’t quit! O
www.SOTECH-kmi.com