CW4 Alan C. Mack leans on his MH-47E air refueling probe. The beginning of his duty cycle began at dusk. Pre-flight inspection before the sunset is crucial to rapid target prosecution after dark. Note the dull brown sky in the background. The suspended dust erases the horizon making. 2003 – night flight a challenge.

Aircrew of MH-47E ‘Razor 03’ during Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001. This aircraft carried ODA 595, aka ‘Horse Soldiers’ from their staging base in Uzbekistan into Afghanistan to link up with Northern Alliance General Abdul Rashid Dostum.

The 160th trains in all environments such as overwater, arctic conditions, mountains, in the desert. This MH-47G is equipped with large external fuel tanks, Multi-Mode Radar external rescue hoist, and aerial refueling probe.

The crew chief in the right cabin door, known as ‘Right Gun,’ has a picturesque view of a U.S. Air Force MC-130 tanker. The pilot moves forward to obtain an ‘Observation Position’ where he will visually verify the condition of the tanker while the entire crew runs through the ‘Observation Checklist.’ Note the M134 ‘Minigun’ in the foreground.

This MH-47E cockpit utilizes four Multi-function displays, known as MFDs, to display relevant flight and mission information. The pilot enters data or queries the Integrated Avionics Suite (IAS) utilizing the two Control Data Units (CDUs) on the canted console. Note the rotor brake handle near the right seat pilot’s window frame.

Five Multi-function displays (MFDs) allow more information to be displayed at one time, improving the pilot’s situational awareness. Technological improvements provide improved graphics and additional mission calculations not computed by the older MH-47E.

The MH-47G ‘Hover Page’ provides critical flight information to the pilot in a visually obscured environment such as dust/snow landings and low overwater hovering. The MH-47E had a similar display with less information. Both versions provide power required, altitude, speed, and lateral drift trending. Using only this page, the pilot can maintain a stationary hover or desired drift.

Be ready for war by training. An MH-47E conducts a two-wheel landing on a mountain ridgeline overlooking a desert valley. Chinooks have been performing this maneuver to load and unload passengers and cargo since their introduction to the U.S. Army.

Service in the 160th is a calling. CW5 Alan C. Mack stands with his son and fellow Night Stalker, SPC Andrew Mack, in front of an MH-47G.

Map of Afghanistan

CW4 Alan C. Mack attends Ensign Stephen Mack’s Officer Candidate School graduation in Rhode Island. Stephen’s career path led him to the cockpit of an F-18F as a Weapons Systems Operator

CW5 Alan C. Mack enjoys time with his sons Sgt Andrew Mack and LTJG Stephen Mack after assuming command of West Point’s flight organization, 2nd Aviation detachment. Though a much different mission than the previous decade of war, the eclectic mission of his small unit would prove to be an emotional recovery.