Incredible moment special forces' helicopters carry out secret drop drills outside Tesco as amazed shoppers watch
INCREDIBLE footage shows the rare moment special forces' helicopters carried out secret drop drills outside Tesco.
Soldiers were seen rappelling down from two dark blue and white choppers in what appeared to be a training exercise in Manchester.
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The helicopters had no tail numbers which means it is highly likely that the aircraft is Special Forces, belonging to the SAS or SBS.
Footage captured by locals showed the two choppers flying extremely low over a nearby Tesco and surrounding buildings.
A rope was then dropped down out of the side before soldiers began rapidly descending onto the rooftop in expert fashion.
Stunned shoppers watched on as the unique drills were carried out in broad daylight.
Other residents shared videos on social media of the two choppers flying around South Manchester.
Viewers on TikTok and other social media sites speculated that the choppers were part of "Blue Thunder".
While not officially named by the military, the term has become informally associated with the SAS's use of fast, stealthy helicopters.
These are often painted in dark or matte tones for urban assault scenarios, much like the choppers in the video.
The secretive helicopters do not show up on flight apps as its transponder is usually switched off or scrambled to help hide its location.
Watch bizarre moment man clings to helicopter as it takes off at lavish wedding after 'begging for a ride'
Other sightings have taken place in the north west England area in recent days.
The Blue Thunder is coloured white on the base and dark blue on the top and is flown by 658 Squadron Army Air Corps.
Meanwhile, the Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin II is painted in civilian colours of blue and white.
A Blue Thunder chopper was spotted landing near London Bridge after the 2017 Borough Market terror attack when eight innocent victims were murdered.
Nearby offices, including The Sun, went into lockdown as the area was sealed off.
Members of the SAS , said to be hunting for one of the attackers, carried out a forced entry into Southwark Cathedral.
The SAS have also been spotted on the UK's streets after major terror incidents, such as the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Members of the SAS were sent to the scene to hunt for associates of evil bomber Salman Abedi.
How the SAS was established
The Special Air Service (SAS) has its origins in the North African desert
It was formed as L Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, in July 1941 to undertake small-scale raids behind enemy lines, according to the National Army Museum.
The new unit initially drew its men from No 7 and No 8 Commando.
Later, troops from No 62 Commando (aka the Small Scale Raiding Force) joined the unit.
In October 1942, the unit was renamed 1st Special Air Service.
The following April it was reorganised into the Special Raiding Squadron and undertook raids in Sicily and Italy alongside the 2nd Special Air Service, which came into existence in May 1943 in Algeria.
The brigade's formations took part in many operations, frequently behind enemy lines, from D-Day (June 1944) until the German surrender in May 1945.
Following the war it was disbanded but re-formed in 1947.
This time it consisted of just one Territorial Army (TA) unit - 21st Battalion, Special Air Service Regiment (Artists Rifles).
In 1959, a third SAS unit was formed - again a TA force - known as 23rd SAS Regiment.
This was a re-naming of the Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, successors to MI9, whose members were experts in escape and evasion.
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