Operation Absolute Resolve – Venezuela
In early January 2026, the United States conducted Operation Absolute Resolve, a large-scale joint special operations mission in Venezuela that marked one of the most significant U.S. military actions in the Western Hemisphere in decades. The operation targeted the regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who was wanted by U.S. authorities on narcotics and weapons trafficking charges. The mission involved extensive coordination across U.S. Special Operations Command, with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment playing a critical role in nighttime infiltration, air assault, and extraction. The opeation was conducted with zero US casualties.
U.S. forces executed a rapid, precision raid into heavily defended areas of Caracas, overwhelming Venezuelan security elements and capturing Maduro and senior regime figures, including Cilia Flores. The operation involved over one hundred U.S. military aircraft, fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, and multiple special operations ground units. Following the raid, Maduro was transferred to U.S. custody to face federal charges.
Operation Absolute Resolve underscored the continued relevance of U.S. special operations aviation in complex, politically sensitive environments. The ability to conduct deep, night-time aviation operations with speed, surprise, and precision remains a hallmark of the Night Stalkers’ enduring mission.
HISTORY
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the “Night Stalkers,” is the U.S. Army’s premier special operations aviation unit. Masters of flying low, fast, and under cover of darkness, the regiment has supported missions from Grenada and Panama to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent—the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu made famous in Black Hawk Down. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 160th SOAR (A).
Formed in 1981 in the aftermath of the failed 1980 hostage rescue attempt in Iran (Operation Eagle Claw), the 160th was created to provide a dedicated aviation capability for special operations forces. The Army recognized the need for a unit capable of precision, long-range, low-level flight in the most demanding conditions. From its inception, the regiment trained to fly where others could not—earning the nickname “Night Stalkers.”
Early Operations
In its first decade, the Night Stalkers supported critical missions, including:
- Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada, 1983) – Inserting Rangers and special operations forces into contested objectives.
- Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) – Conducting nighttime air assaults to seize key targets.
- Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm (1990–1991) – Long-range helicopter raids and deep aviation support.
Operation Gothic Serpent – Somalia, 1993
The regiment’s most famous action occurred during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia. On 3–4 October 1993, Night Stalker MH-60 Black Hawks and MH-6 Little Birds supported Delta Force and U.S. Army Rangers during a mission to capture senior lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.
When two Black Hawks were shot down, 160th aircrews repeatedly flew into intense enemy fire to insert reinforcements, resupply isolated ground forces, and evacuate casualties. Their courage under fire became legendary, though at significant cost, with multiple aircraft damaged and aircrew lost. These events were later chronicled in the book and film Black Hawk Down, cementing the regiment’s place in modern military history.
Global War on Terror and Beyond
Following the attacks of 11 September 2001, the 160th deployed immediately to Afghanistan, conducting some of the earliest combat missions of the war. Night Stalkers supported Special Forces and Ranger units during mountain assaults, precision raids, and resupply missions under extreme environmental and tactical conditions. In Iraq, they enabled long-range raids, counterterrorism operations, and sustained aviation support for joint special operations task forces throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Identity and Legacy
- Nickname: The Night Stalkers
- Motto: “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit”
- Aircraft: MH-60 Black Hawk, MH-47 Chinook, and MH-6 Little Bird—each heavily modified for special operations
- Insignia: Winged sword with lightning bolts, symbolizing speed, precision, and power
Reputation: Unmatched mastery of night flight, extreme low-level operations, and aviation support for the most sensitive and high-risk missions.
Enduring Role
From Grenada to Mogadishu, from Iraq and Afghanistan, and now into the Western Hemisphere, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) has remained the Army’s elite aviation force—always ready to fly into the most demanding conditions in support of America’s special operations warriors. Their actions, past and present, continue to define their ethos: “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit.”
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that honor the legacy of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).
Sources
U.S. Army historical publications; Department of Defense statements; Associated Press reporting; Reuters reporting; contemporary U.S. and international media coverage of Operation Absolute Resolve.