December 3, 2007:
After six years, SOCOM has
disbanded a special helicopter unit (Company E of the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment) and sent its troops, and six MH-47E helicopters, back to
Washington State (from South Korea) to become part of a new unit (4th
Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment). Company E was unique
because it was organized and trained for one primary mission; getting
commandoes into North Korea. The new unit will still be responsible for that
task, but will also support special operations throughout the Pacific.
Apparently it was believed that the threat from
North Korea had declined to the point where the expense of maintaining the
specialized Company E in South Korea was no longer worth the expense, effort
and resources.