Joint Aviation Unit
The Joint Aviation Unit ( JAU ; German United Flight Unit ) is a cross -armed forces special unit of the US armed forces for special aviation missions. It is part of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a command within the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) responsible for the global fight against terrorism , of which it forms the air component. The Joint Aviation Unit consists of parts of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) ( Army Aviation Squadron for special operations) of the US Army and the units of the Air Force Special Operations Command (ASFOC) of the US Air Force .
assignment
The Joint Aviation Unit has an air component of the Joint Special Operations Command commissioned soldiers of Delta Force and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group to assist in flying. This includes both the transportation and the close air support (CAS Close Air Support ). The squadron is also responsible for tactical aerial reconnaissance.
organization
The Joint Aviation Unit is stationed at Pope Air Force Base in the US state of North Carolina , where the headquarters of the JSOC is also located, not far from Fort Bragg , the headquarters of the Delta Force.
The organization of the unit is secret , as are the means, tactics and performance characteristics.
equipment
As the air component of the JSOC, the unit has all the equipment and aircraft required for the JSOC's special missions. The arsenal includes AH-6H / J Little Birds , MH-60L Black Hawks in versions D (transport) and K (fire support) and MH-47 Chinooks . It also has specially modified commercial and sport aircraft for covert operations . She also has access to Hughes AH-64 Apache attack helicopters if necessary . In addition, it is equipped with various drones for reconnaissance .
history
The unit was set up in 1980 after the establishment of the JSOC.
Little is known about the actual history of the operation because of the secrecy, but it can be assumed that since the JSOC was founded, the unit has always been involved when Delta Force forces required air support.
The unit provided the air component of the JSOC groupings Task Force 121 , Task Force 6-26 and Task Force 145 .