RAF Odiham posted the news on its Facebook page stating that the station: “…will host elements of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airbourne), United States Army, who are visiting as part of an interoperability exercise.” It continued: “…why is it so important that we train together? Both the US and the UK operate the Chinook airframe, but Ex DARK LIGHTNING will help galvanise and enhance this special relationship, learning and developing the best ways of working. Training opportunities like these are vital tools to bring us closer together with our partners and to ensure we can operate effectively together.”

In the case of the Night Stalkers it flies the MH-47G variant of the Chinook. The unit also flies the MH-60L and ’M variants of the Black Hawk and A/MH-6M MELB Little Bird, though it is not known if the latter two types will take part in the exercise.