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