For God and country—Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo.

A year ago, on the 2nd of May, just after 0100 hrs in the morning, two teams of Navy SEALs from the elite and secretive US Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) were inserted by US Army Night Stalkers into a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Within that compound, was the world's most wanted man, his thugs and some of his family. Within minutes, the operators covered ground, methodically engaged and took out the armed hostiles and entered the private room of the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. The SEAL who pumped the rounds into the man's chest and head with his suppressed H&K 416 immediately radioed in, "For God and country- Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo" then confirmed "Geronimo E.K.I.A".

Within 38 minutes, Osama bin Laden was dead, and those who he brutally murdered in his attacks on the innocent were avenged.

38 minutes. Months of planning, and within a half hour, the operation was over and the teams were extracted.

Multiple units were involved, including Air Force CSAR helos and personnel, Army SOAR Chinooks loaded with SEALs and refueling bladders for the other helos involved in the raid, fighter jets and drones providing cover and aerial surveillance and a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) consisting of Army Rangers. All, loaded for bear, with the intent to take out the man who had cause the world so much grief.

Death Waits in the Dark

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the Night Stalkers is home to the world's best helo pilots. Originally formed as an aviation-support element to US special operations forces after the 1980 failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Tehran, the Night Stalkers have the most professional and accomplished pilots in the Army, flying their Blackhawks, Little Birds, Chinooks, etc. From their activation in 1981, the 160th SOAR (A) has taken part in operations around the globe, including Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Gothic Serpent where they were brought into the spotlight after two of their Blackhawks were shot down by Somali militiamen with multiple rocket propelled grenades. Recently, Night Stalkers provided aerial insertion and cover for the raid on bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, in 2011.

A good deal of what they do is kept from public knowledge, as they are part of the special operations community. Recruiting standards for pilots and crewmen are extremely stringent, and the training is very intense. Officers (pilots) go through a 20-28 week course after being selected. Further testing is required before a Night Stalker can be designated Fully Mission Qualified. Their nickname tells you a little about what they're all about. The Nigh Stalkers use the advantage of the dark. The night is their cover, and allows them to insert special operations forces covertly, quickly and then egress the area without the opposing forces even knowing what went down. They are the best, brightest and craziest helo pilots the world has ever seen; their motto: Night Stalkers Don't Quit.

You can learn a little more about the 160th SOAR (A) and their exploits from one of their former pilots, CWO4 Michael Durant, US Army (Ret), who was piloting Super Six Four on October 3rd in Mogadishu, when an RPG rigged for air-burst, took out his tail rotor. The subsequent crash, the insertion of two brave Delta Force snipers Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon (who gave their lives to protect Durant and the mortally-wounded crew against a force of hundreds of militia; they were later awarded the Medal of Honor for their awe-inspiring courageousness and willingness to die for their brother soldier), and the capture of Durant by the Somali militia, is detailed in his book, In the Company of Heroes. It's a personal favorite of mine, and it's highly recommended!

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