A RESOLUTION recognizing the tremendous bravery and skill of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) of the United States Army, known as the "Night Stalkers."

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2315
Page 1 of 3
XXXX 2/25/2026 5:04 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION recognizing the tremendous bravery and skill of the 160th 1
Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) of the United States Army, known as 2
the "Night Stalkers." 3
WHEREAS, originally formed from attachments of the 101st Airborne Division in 4
1981, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), stationed in Fort 5
Campbell, Kentucky, and known as the "Night Stalkers," was created after years o f 6
development, training, and deployments to become the world's most elite special 7
operations night-operating aviation force; and 8
WHEREAS, the "Night Stalkers" received their name because of the regiment's 9
ability to strike undetected at night and its impec cable performance around the world. 10
This regiment is the premier night -fighting aviation force and the only special operations 11
aviation force in the United States Army; and 12
WHEREAS, employing heavily modified Chinook, Black Hawk, and assault and 13
attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters and unmanned -aerial systems, the "Night 14
Stalkers" are exceptionally well trained and ready to accomplish the toughest missions in 15
all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision; and 16
WHEREAS, the unit has grown and evolved into an exceptionally considerable 17
force with four assault battalions, a training battalion, and two unmanned -aerial-systems 18
(drone) companies providing advanced reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities to 19
enable the striking of targets from great distances by special operations forces on the 20
ground; and 21
WHEREAS, in every conflict, the courageous response of the United States Army's 22
only special operations aviation unit has successfully deterred significant acts of 23
aggression by those who seek to harm the United States and its territories. The "Night 24
Stalkers" continue to lead the way in pioneering night -flight techniques and the 25
development of specialized equipment while continuously earning their motto that "Night 26
Stalkers don't quit"; and 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2315
Page 2 of 3
XXXX 2/25/2026 5:04 PM Jacketed
WHEREAS, since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 1
2001, units of the "Night Stalkers" have been continuously and actively engaged in 2
special operations combat deployments around the world; and 3
WHEREAS, on January 3, 2026, the United States military and law enforcement 4
officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a high -stakes military 5
operation, a mission carried out by the United States Army's Delta Force and supported 6
by extensive American airpower with more than 150 aircraft, including bombers, fighters, 7
intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and rotary wing aircraft; and 8
WHEREAS, as airstrikes rang out around Caracas, United States forces made their 9
way into the city. Included were members of the elite Delta Force, the United States 10
military's top special mission unit, flown in by the "Night Stalkers" of the 160th Special 11
Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). These forces were heavily armed and made 12
the first strikes on President Maduro's military fortress in the heart of Caracas; and 13
WHEREAS, the troops took fire when they arrived, and one of the helicopters was 14
hit but still able to fly. The apprehension force descended into Maduro's compound and 15
moved with speed, precision, and discipline, according to Air Force General Dan Caine, 16
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and 17
WHEREAS, the decisive action and planning of the executive orders to capture 18
President Maduro and his wife were aided in no small part by the Commonwealth of 19
Kentucky providing the replica of the military safe house compound for practice of the 20
mission and the Fort Campbell "Night Stalkers" of the 160th Special Operations Aviation 21
Regiment (Airborne); and 22
WHEREAS, Kentucky is proud to be the home of the "Night Stalkers" of the 160th 23
Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and to support their mission; 24
NOW, THEREFORE, 25
Be it resolved by the S enate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 26
Kentucky: 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2315
Page 3 of 3
XXXX 2/25/2026 5:04 PM Jacketed
Section 1. The Senate hereby recognizes the tremendous bravery and sk ill of 1
the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) of the United States Army, 2
known as the "Night Stalkers." 3
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor of the brave 4
servicemembers of this regiment who fight for our freedoms. 5
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 6
Resolution to Senator Craig Richardson. 7