UNITED STATES AIRFORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS
AVIATION BRIGADE

Special forces operations frequently require specialised air support.   This is the role of the Special Operations Aviation Brigade.   The Brigade uses various types of helicopters including AH-6s, MH-6s, OH-6s, MH-60s, and MH-47.   These aircraft are used for infiltrating special forces, for commando-style operations, for re-supplying clandestine units, and for evacuations and pickups.   Helicopters from the Brigade have been used for picking up the crews of downed aircraft and for hot extractions during special forces operations.    Most recently the Brigade's helicopters have seen action in Panama and the Gulf War.

In addition to these roles, the Black (clandestine unit) Task Force 160 has been used in the Persian Gulf to counter Iranian mine laying activities and for airstrike spotter purposes during the Gulf war.