USSOCOM is about halfway through the MH-60M upgrade to Block 1 configuration

The ambition is to provide MH-60M helicopters with additional lift through the installation of a new engine

MH-60 provides a medium utility attack aircraft capable of missions ranging from defensive and suppressive ground fire to long range insertion and extraction

The Chinook, seen here during exercises in Lithuania, has been adapted for US Special Forces operations and is the heavy-lift element of the 160th SOAR

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, US Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command helocast from a CH-47 helicopter during visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

USAF Special Tactics Operators conducting helocast training from the ramp of an MH-47G Chinook from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, last year

The CH-47C has been adapted over the years into the MH-47 Echo configuration

The MH-6 Little Bird is a SOF-unique helicopter that was developed to provide fast, agile combat support

Eventually, the MH-6 could be upgraded to Block 3 configuration