Army proposing expanding Green Berets' aviation arm

WASHINGTON - The Army&#39;s deputy chief said Wednesday that the Army wants to expand the Green Berets&#39; aviation arm to meet a growing demand for special operations forces in the global fight against terrorism. <br> <br> General John Keane told reporters the plan is to add one battalion to the three existing in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, whose troops are known as ``Night Stalkers.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Keane provided no details beyond saying the expansion would add 12 M-47 helicopters, which are used to bring in and take out Green Berets on missions behind enemy lines. The helicopters are the only ones in the Army that can refuel in flight. <br> <br> The Night Stalkers have 21 of these helicopters after losing two in March; one crashed in the Philippines and a second went down in Afghanistan. <br> <br> The 160th played a crucial role in getting small teams of Green Berets into northern Afghanistan last fall to begin better coordinating with anti-Taliban forces and directing U.S. airstrikes. <br> <br> The aviators also fly M-60 Black Hawk helicopters as well as H-6 series light attack helicopters. <br> <br> The 160th has three battalions. One is based at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia and the other two are at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The location of the proposed fourth battalion was not clear.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/202023