Inside U.S. Special Forces Helicopter Fleet Used for Mission to Capture Venezuela’s President Maduro.

In this exclusive analysis, the Army Recognition editorial team examines the helicopter platforms deployed by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during the January 3, 2026, high-risk urban raid in Caracas. The assessment highlights how specialized Night Stalker aviation capabilities enabled precise insertion, support, and extraction in one of the most complex urban operations in recent U.S. military history.

In an operation where airpower at street level proved decisive, the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment played a central role in the January 3, 2026, raid conducted in Venezuela to capture President Maduro. While official details remain limited, the Army Recognition editorial team has conducted an in-depth analysis of the U.S. Special Forces helicopter typically employed by the Night Stalkers for missions of this nature, focusing on their capabilities, roles, and relevance in dense urban combat environments.
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U.S. Army Special Forces operators supported by 160th SOAR helicopters during the covert raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, January 3, 2026. The operation showcased the full spectrum of U.S. special operations aviation, including MH-47G Chinooks, MH-60M Black Hawks, and AH-6M Little Birds, conducting deep insertion and armed overwatch in dense urban terrain. (Picture source: video published on X Social Network)

According to information published by Reuters, the nighttime assault, conducted on January 3, 2026, in central Caracas, was carried out by Delta Force operators under Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), relying on a tightly coordinated aviation package to penetrate Venezuela’s capital and extract the high-value target without triggering a full-scale military response.

The MH-47G Chinook is the heavy-lift backbone of the 160th SOAR, purpose-built for long-range infiltration and exfiltration missions under hostile conditions. It is powered by two T55-GA-714A engines, each producing 10,000+ shaft horsepower, enabling it to transport over 24,000 pounds of payload or 33 troops, even at high altitudes. The MH-47G is outfitted with terrain-following radar, digital flight systems, a Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor for night operations. It features an in-flight refueling probe for extended-range missions, along with robust defensive systems, including radar and missile-warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, and infrared countermeasures, enabling it to penetrate denied airspace at low altitudes.

During the Maduro capture operation, the MH-47G played the critical role of inserting the primary Delta Force assault teams into central Caracas. Due to its range and refueling capability, the aircraft likely launched from U.S. naval assets or forward bases in Colombia, flying low to avoid Venezuelan radar coverage. Insertion was conducted via fast-rope or rooftop landings near the Fuerte Tiuna military complex. The Chinooks carried not only personnel but also breaching tools, communications gear, and equipment needed for the secure extraction of high-value targets. Once the assault force was deployed, the MH-47Gs remained in tactical orbit or retreated to holding positions, ready for rapid exfiltration of the strike team and detainees.

The MH-47G Chinook is a special operations variant of the CH-47, used by the U.S. Army’s 160th SOAR for long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions. Equipped with advanced avionics, terrain-following radar, and in-flight refueling capability, it is optimized for deep, low-level operations in hostile environments. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The MH-60M Black Hawk serves as the 160th’s multi-role medium assault and utility helicopter, engineered for speed, survivability, and mission versatility. It incorporates upgraded YT706-GE-700 engines for improved lift and endurance, composite main rotor blades, and an advanced glass cockpit featuring CAAS avionics and digital moving maps. The MH-60M also includes encrypted communications, SATCOM links, internal ballistic protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, radar and laser warning systems, and directional infrared countermeasures, making it suitable for contested and low-visibility environments.

In Operation Absolute Resolve, MH-60Ms were tasked with supporting secondary assault elements, likely inserting quick-reaction teams and securing the outer perimeter of the objective site. Their size and agility allowed them to navigate the urban terrain of Caracas, positioning operators on adjacent rooftops or drop zones to block Venezuelan military reinforcements. Additionally, MH-60Ms likely served as airborne command-and-control hubs, enabling mission commanders to coordinate multiple elements in real time. One or more MH-60Ms may have been designated for casualty evacuation, equipped with onboard medics and medical kits in anticipation of hostile contact during the extraction phase.

The MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) is a heavily armed variant of the Black Hawk configured for direct fire support and close air attack. It is equipped with stub wings to mount a variety of weapons, including 30mm M230 chain guns, M134 miniguns, Hydra 70 rocket pods, and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The DAP retains all the advanced avionics and survivability systems of the standard MH-60M but trades troop-carrying capacity for firepower, turning the aircraft into a dedicated strike platform capable of neutralizing enemy forces, vehicles, and fortified positions during high-intensity missions.

During the assault on Maduro’s compound, MH-60 DAPs provided direct overwatch and suppressive fire to protect the main assault teams. Intelligence gathered in the lead-up to the raid likely identified rooftop sentries, anti-air positions, and mobile security teams in the area. The DAPs engaged these threats with precision, clearing a corridor for the MH-47Gs and MH-60Ms to insert their teams safely. They also remained on station to respond to any hostile movements or counterattacks by Venezuelan security forces, using their onboard sensors and firepower to dominate the airspace over the target zone.

The MH-60M Black Hawk is a multi-role special-operations helicopter operated by the U.S. Army’s 160th SOAR. Designed for infiltration, exfiltration, and assault missions, it features upgraded engines, advanced avionics, and enhanced survivability systems for low-level, night, and high-threat operations. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The MH-6M Little Bird is the lightest and most agile helicopter in the 160th SOAR inventory, designed for rapid, low-profile insertion of small special operations teams. Its compact size allows it to land in tight spaces such as rooftops, alleys, or courtyards. The MH-6M features an enhanced navigation suite, NVG-compatible cockpit, and external bench seating for up to six operators. Though lightly armored, its high maneuverability and low acoustic signature make it ideal for stealthy urban missions, especially in support of surgical operations and time-sensitive objectives.

In the Venezuelan operation, MH-6Ms were likely used to deploy reconnaissance elements and breacher teams into extremely confined urban landing zones close to Maduro’s residence. These helicopters may have also served as visual confirmation platforms, conducting final pass-over inspections of the objective to verify troop positions and landing conditions moments before the main assault began. Their ability to land and take off in spaces inaccessible to larger aircraft gave the assault force flexibility in how and where to approach the target from multiple angles simultaneously.

The AH-6M, the armed version of the Little Bird, transforms the airframe into a compact attack platform capable of providing highly localized fire support. It can be outfitted with dual M134 miniguns, 2.75-inch Hydra rocket pods, or Hellfire missiles, depending on mission requirements. With its small radar and thermal signature, the AH-6M is difficult to detect and can engage point targets with remarkable precision, making it a favorite for supporting SOF teams in dense, cluttered combat zones.

In Caracas, AH-6Ms likely flew close escort for MH-6M insertions, offering micro-level fire support to operators working building-to-building. They may have been tasked with eliminating rooftop shooters, intercepting hostile vehicles, or striking narrow targets inaccessible to larger gunships. Their presence ensured that the Night Stalkers maintained constant eyes-on-firepower across the urban battlespace, providing rapid response capability within seconds of a threat emerging.

The MH-6M Little Bird is a light assault and insertion helicopter operated by the U.S. Army’s 160th SOAR. Renowned for its agility and compact size, it is used to insert small special operations teams into tight urban or confined landing zones during high-risk missions. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Overhead, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone provided continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) throughout the operation. Equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and signals intelligence suites, the Gray Eagle can loiter for over 25 hours and transmit live feeds to airborne and ground command elements. It can also be armed with Hellfire missiles, though its primary role in special operations remains ISR and target tracking.

In the hours before and during the raid, the Gray Eagle likely monitored Maduro’s movements, verified his presence at the target location, and identified Venezuelan troop mobilization near the capital. It also relayed critical data to Night Stalker pilots and JSOC leadership, helping synchronize timing, track reinforcements, and manage deconfliction between air assets and ground teams. Its persistent overwatch was essential in minimizing surprises and enhancing situational awareness during the high-tempo assault.

Operation Absolute Resolve was not just a demonstration of Delta Force precision—it was a showcase of modern special operations aviation. From the heavy-lift endurance of the MH-47G to the low-signature urban agility of the Little Bird and the decisive firepower of the DAP, the 160th SOAR’s rotary-wing fleet operated as a single, lethal instrument. Their ability to insert, protect, and extract operators in a contested, high-density urban environment underscores the strategic value of helicopter-borne operations in the U.S. military’s global playbook. In a mission executed in minutes but built on years of technical mastery and tactical integration, the Night Stalkers proved again why no unit flies closer to the fight.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.