The MH-6 Little Bird helicopter played a key role in the rescue of downed F-15 airman

On Saturday evening, U.S. special operations forces successfully rescued the weapon systems officer of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran on Friday.

The daring special operation involved hundreds of troops and dozens of aircraft. Details about the combat search and rescue continue to emerge.

Yet, we already know that the MH-6 Little Bird helicopter likely proved to be the key asset in the complex combat search and rescue operation of the downed F-15 weapon systems officer.

Reports indicate that it was an MH-6 special operations helicopter – which is agile and small enough to perform such a task – that flew to the mountain where the aviator was hiding from Iranian forces. The helicopter then flew him to a makeshift forward operations base established nearby by special operations forces.

According to reports, however, as the rescue force was attempting to leave, at least one MH-6 was unable to take off from the forward operations base, and two C-130s were stuck in the sand. The MH-6 might have been destroyed by the U.S. forces along with the two C-130s to prevent their capture by Iranian forces.

The MH-6 has been around for a while. The aircraft first entered service in the 1980s after the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, commonly known as the “Night Stalkers” modified Hughes OH-6A Cayuse airframes to fit the unit’s attack and transport requirements.

Powered by an Allison T63-A-5A / Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft, the MH-6 can reach speeds of around 175 miles per hour (approximately 150 knots) and has a range of 270 miles.

A U.S. Army MH-6 Little Bird Small Tactical helicopter assigned to 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) sits on a landing zone during a sniper range training with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets at Fort Campbell, KY, Mar. 27, 2024. The Green Berets conducts continuing real-world training to maintain lethality. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gitzai Diaz Osorio)

The MH-6 has two pilots and can fit up to six operators on two benches on either side of the aircraft. With a length of 32 feet, a height of eight feet, and a rotor diameter of 27 feet, the MH-6 is the perfect size for operations in tight environments, including urban centers.

The aircraft’s small size allows it to land or hover over small structures, enabling its passengers to insert on most targets. Operators can also fast rope on the target. For example, during Operation Acid Gambit, the 1983 hostage rescue of Curt Muse by Delta Force from Modelo Prison in Panama, an MH-6 managed to land on top of the prison and then crash-landed on the street after taking fire.

The AH-6 – the MH-6’s attack sibling – is known as the “killer egg” due to its egg-shaped structure and ability to lay down an impressive amount of firepower.

The MH-6 is flown by the elite: the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is the world’s premier rotary-wing aviation unit.

Since the 1980s, Night Stalkers have been providing transport or close air support to America’s most elite units, including Delta Force and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly known as SEAL Team 6.

Besides the rescue of the F-15 weapon systems officer, the Night Stalkers played a key role in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro in January. A Night Stalker MH-47G Chinook pilot received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the operation.

Feature Image: 123rd Special Tactics Squadron operators load a patient on an MH-6 Little Bird during Exercise Agile Chariot, May 2, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Kavish)

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