Hotel Company

Hotel Company
Staff
CO	MAJ J. Novix
XO	CPT E. Bradbury
COS
IG
AG
CSM
AOO	1LT W. Decker
Hierarchy
Superior Unit	Battalion Headquarters
Reporting Units	1st Platoon, Hotel Company
Esprit De Corps
Unit Motto	"Death waits in the dark!"

Hotel Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion is an Aviation Company tasked with providing aviation support to Alpha Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion. It is administratively known as H/4-160th. Hotel Company is borrowed from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Organizationally, Hotel Company is attached and under the command of 2nd Ranger Battalion.

Mission

Hotel Company is the aviation wing of 2nd Ranger Battalion. 160th SOAR (A) aviators represent the foremost in aviation skill and members are held to the highest standards of flying excellence. Hotel Company is divided into four flights with specific tasks during operations that include Intelligence Security Reconnaissance (ISR), Close Air Support (CAS), Resupply, and Transportation/Reinsert. Hotel Company Aviators are 153A Rotary Wing Aviators, 155A Fixed Wing Aviators, and 15A Aviation Officers.

Hotel Company is tasked with providing Aviation support to the Battalion, both rotary and fixed wing. Members of Hotel Company are primarily MOS 153 and 155 (Rotary and Fixed Wing Aviators), supported by 15A Aviation Officers. The Company operates a wide range of aircraft Rotary aircraft include the UH-60M Medium Lift Helicopter, CH-47F Heavy Lift Helicopter, AH-6M and MH-6M Mission Enhanced Littlebird (MELB) Fixed wing aircraft include the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, AC-130 Spectre Gunship, MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), C-17 Globemaster Heavy Transport Aircraft and A-10 "Warthog" Close-Air Support attack aircraft, and multi-role fighter aircraft.

Alpha Company Rangers from 1st Platoon pull security after being inserted from two UH-60Ms from Hotel Company, during Operation Northern Shield, April 2020. Live Photo

Branch & Military Occupational Specialties

Branch	Insignia	MOS	Description
Aviation		15A Aviation Officer 153A Rotary Wing Aviator 155A Fixed Wing Aviator	Aviation operates a wide range of aircraft Rotary aircraft include the UH-60M Medium Lift Helicopter, CH-47F Heavy Lift Helicopter, AH-6M and MH-6M Mission Enhanced Littlebird (MELB). Fixed wing aircraft include the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, AC-130 Spectre Gunship, MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), C-17 Globemaster Heavy Transport Aircraft and A-10 "Warthog" Close-Air Support attack aircraft, and multi-role fighter aircraft. All of these craft are considerably different in mission parameter and specifications yet all act to support the ground element in-tandem with JFOs and with each other between flights.

Alpha Company Military Occupational Specialties

Alpha Company Rangers from 1st Platoon prepare to board CH-47s from Hotel Company during Operation Iron Anchor, March 2020. Live Photo

153A Rotary Wing Aviator

153A Rotary Wing Aviators are the helicopter pilots that ensure the functions of Hotel Company are completed including reconnaissance, transportation, Close Air Support (CAS), and resupplies. A quintessential flyer displays patience, dedication, and attention to craft in ensuring their jobs are completed as safe, and effectively as possible. Rotary Wing Aviators are expected to act within acceptable boundaries of conduct and ensure that the mission is completed.

155A Fixed Wing Aviator

155A Fixed Wing Aviators are responsible for the operation of aircraft including the C-130 Hercules, AC-130 Spectre Gunship, A-10 Warthog, C-17 Globemaster, and MQ-9 Reaper UAV. Typically tasked with resupply, CAS, air superiority, ISR, and transportation. Fixed Wing Aviators are capable of dealing with the complex situations that arise in the air.

15A Aviation Officer

15A Aviation Officers coordinate and direct the flights and task their Aviators to effectively operate within a battle space. They give flight leaders instructions and organize the training and day-to-date operation of Hotel Company. They handle command and control as well as ensuring the Aviators are properly briefed and understanding of their assignments during operations.

Aviation

Warrant Officers

Aviation School

WO1 CW2 CW3 CW4 CW5 The Warrant Officer ranks within the unit are the symbol of Aviation. The symbol of one's winged pilot status. Those that hold the Warrant Officer rank are now the go-to when someone needs an aviator. It is their job to ensure they have the skills to accomplish this task. This is one's primary duty. Senior Warrant Officers' further responsibilities are to aid in the training of new aviators. To aid in their endeavors of becoming a Warrant Officer. Just as others gave you their aid in your training.

The U.S. Army Aviator Badge shall be awarded to soldiers who successfully complete flight training with the MOS 153A Rotary Wing Aviator and are inducted into the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). As an Aviation Trainee, you will be trained to a superior standard higher than regular forces, establishing and building upon your experience and expertise. You will be cross-trained in the craft of flight planning, advanced formation, all facets of communication, and all the roles of each airframe under your command!

Traditions and History

The unit was founded in August of 2018 and officially stood up September 1st 2018. Hotel Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion was added later in September, once it was ready to receive applicants. The first company commander was Zach Lemon, who retired from service in December of 2020.

Leadership

The following is a list of Company Commanders beginning with the most recent.

Rank	Name	Dates of Service
Captain	John Novix	30 Dec 2020–Present
Major	Zach Lemon	1 Sep 2018–30 Dec 2020

Order of Battle

Hotel Company consists of 1 Aviation Platoon and a Headquarters.

Element	Callsign	Echelon	Role	Abbreviation	Approved Strength
Hotel Company Headquarters	Night Stalker	Headquarters	Headquarters and Battlespace Control	H/HQ	3 Soldiers, 23 Total
1st Platoon	Night Stalker 1	Platoon	Multi-Role Rotary and Fixed-Wing Aviation Platoon	1/H	20 Soldiers
1st Platoon, 1st Flight	Night Stalker 1-1	Flight	Rotary-Wing Action Flight	1/1/H	6 Soldiers
1st Platoon, 2nd Flight	Night Stalker 1-2	Flight	Rotary-Wing Action Flight	2/1/H	6 Soldiers
1st Platoon, 3rd Flight	Night Stalker 1-3	Flight	Rotary-Wing Action Flight	3/1/H	6 Soldiers
1st Platoon, 4th Flight	Night Stalker 1-4	Flight	Fixed-Wing Action Flight	4/1/H	2 Soldiers