Greece's elite unit to receive four MH-60L DAP Black Hawks helicopters used by US Special Forces.

As reported by OnAlert on June 14, 2024, the newly established Airborne Special Operations Squadron (MAEE) will receive four MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Black Hawk helicopters configured for the Special Warfare Command in the coming years. The MAEE is set to become the fourth Greek unit of the Joint Special Operations Command (DDEE) certified by NATO, enabling collaboration with the other three units of the DDEE—ETA, Z’ MAK, and the Naval Special Operations Section—in executing alliance missions.
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The Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) is a configuration of the MH-60L designed for direct attack missions, used primarily by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) of the US Special Operations Forces. (Picture source: Flickr/Raven Harris)

In the coming days, the MAEE will be evaluated by officers from the Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) following a process similar to previous Special Operations Force Evaluations (SOFEVAL). For at least a week, the personnel of the MAEE will be under scrutiny and required to demonstrate, through a series of increasingly challenging missions, that they can successfully support various scenarios involving aerial assets, particularly helicopters, used by SOF teams from the units of the DDEE. Response times, movement and approach tactics to high-risk areas, boarding and disembarking of commandos, communications, maintenance, and support will be evaluated and graded by specialized NATO officers.

The assets currently available to the MAEE include NH-90 helicopters and CH-47D Chinooks, with which the unit's personnel train as part of the activities of the Joint Special Operations Command under the War Doctrine Division (DEP). Recently, a bilateral joint training exercise took place, involving helicopters and personnel from both the MAEE and the Mobile Training Team of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) of the US Special Operations Forces. This exercise served as the final test in preparation for the upcoming evaluation.

During this exercise, MAEE personnel, with the assistance of teams from the units of the DDEE, trained in a series of scenarios that will form the core of the evaluation. They demonstrated an operational level to be deemed "Combat Ready" by the specialized SOFCOM officers.

The fact that the 160th SOAR uses two versions of the Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters—specifically the MH-60L DAP (Direct Action Penetrator) and the MH-47G, some in DAP configuration—provides an opportunity for the MAEE to assess the capabilities of the Black Hawk and Chinook in SOF missions. While the CH-47D helicopters of the Army Aviation and now the MAEE have been used for decades in Special Operations, in the coming years, the MAEE will also have its own four MH-60L DAP Black Hawks in a configuration tailored to the needs of the Special Warfare Command.

The MH-60L DAP can be armed with various weaponry, including two M134 miniguns, two M230 30mm chain guns (also used by the AH-64 Apache), up to four M261 2.75-inch rocket pods, up to 16 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. (Picture source: Twitter/Go160thSOAR)

Adding the NH-90s to these assets, the MAEE will have three different types of helicopters, enabling it to execute any type of mission, especially in the environment of the Aegean Sea, where speed, armor, self-protection, and long flight ranges are required. The combination of MH-60L DAP and NH-90 helicopters, which are considered suitable for Special Operations, is seen as a multiplier that enhances the operational capabilities of the MAEE and, by extension, the DEP.

The MH-60L is a variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, developed by Sikorsky Aircraft and used primarily by the United States Army. This model is part of the H-60 family, which includes medium-lift utility helicopters designed for various missions. The MH-60L is equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced survivability features, and specialized equipment to support special operations missions. It can be configured for troop transport, medical evacuation, and cargo lift, making it a highly adaptable platform. The MH-60L is known for its capability to operate in hostile environments, often supporting units such as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).

The Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) is a configuration of the MH-60L designed for direct attack missions. The DAP is armed to provide close air support and can carry various weaponry, including two M134 miniguns, two M230 30mm chain guns (also used by the AH-64 Apache), up to four M261 2.75-inch rocket pods, up to 16 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. This configuration allows the DAP to deliver precision firepower in support of ground forces and to engage enemy targets effectively. Additionally, the DAP is equipped with advanced targeting systems, night vision capabilities, and infrared sensors, enabling it to operate in all weather conditions and during night operations.