Latest news with #Eurocopter
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Incredible moment special forces' helicopters carry out secret drop drills outside Tesco as amazed shoppers watch
Watch the video in our player SECURE THE MEAL DEALS! 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 in what appeared to be a training exercise in Manchester. Advertisement 3 Special forces' helicopters descending nearby a Tesco Credit: Tiktok 3 The two choppers appeared to be part of SAS training Credit: Tiktok 3 Others filmed choppers flying around Manchester Credit: TikTok 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. Advertisement Read More in UK News SHUTDOWN Major motorway bridge CLOSED sparking 'severe' delays chaos for thousands 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. Advertisement The secretive helicopters do not show up on flight apps as its transponder is usually switched off or scrambled to help hide its location. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Members of the SAS were sent to the scene to hunt for associates of evil bomber Salman Abedi.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
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 in what appeared to be a training exercise in Manchester. Advertisement 3 Special forces' helicopters descending nearby a Tesco Credit: Tiktok 3 The two choppers appeared to be part of SAS training Credit: Tiktok 3 Others filmed choppers flying around Manchester Credit: TikTok 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. Advertisement Read More in UK News 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. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The secretive helicopters do not show up on flight apps as its transponder is usually switched off or scrambled to help hide its location. 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. Advertisement A Blue Thunder chopper was spotted landing near London Bridge after the 2017 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. Advertisement Members of the SAS were sent to the scene to hunt for associates of evil bomber 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 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.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- The Sun
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. 3 3 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.
Fox News
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Fatal NYC helicopter crash prompts GOP lawmaker to call for ending popular tourist flights
Low-flying tour helicopters hovering over the skies of New York City are a familiar sight, but they could soon be a thing of the past if one congresswoman gets her way. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said she wants to rein in or even stop the flights altogether after six people tragically lost their lives in a tour helicopter on Thursday. It follows a fatal tour helicopter flight that crashed into the East River in 2018, killing five passengers. Malliotakis said that the tour helicopters have long been a source of frustration for her Staten Island constituents and Thursday's incident only deepens their unease, given the helicopters often fly over densely populated areas. The doomed sightseeing aircraft plummeted into the water near the New Jersey shoreline, just feet from land. "Staten Island residents remain deeply concerned about the frequent low-flying tour helicopters whose flight paths continue to frequently pass over their neighborhoods at all hours of the day," Malliotakis said in a statement. "To prevent another tragedy, these tourist helicopter flights over NYC must be more heavily regulated and restricted, if not come to an end entirely," she said, while sending her condolences to the families of the victims. Malliotakis said she has raised the issue with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously, as well as with the Biden administration. In October, she claimed that some operators were violating FAA rules by flying at low and potentially unsafe levels while the noise they created was infuriating residents. There is no evidence that the flight on Thursday violated any FAA rules. Tour helicopters are very popular in New York City, especially among tourists looking for a unique aerial view of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park. Tens of thousands of people take the tours every year. Thursday's tragedy unfolded at around 3:15 p.m., when a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV chopper being operated by New York Helicopter Tours came apart and plummeted into the Hudson River. Eyewitness video shows the body of the aircraft tumbling through the air and into the water upside down near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey. The aircraft's main and rear rotor appeared to have been detached and could be seen splashing into the water. A cause of the crash has yet to be determined, as the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed they are looking into the deadly incident. The victims included five members of the same family: Agustin Escobar; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their three children. The 36-year-old pilot also lost his life. It wasn't the first tour helicopter to crash in the city. In 2018, a Eurocopter AS350 B2 operated by Liberty Helicopters for FlyNYON crashed into the East River, resulting in the deaths of all five passengers while the pilot miraculously survived. The NTSB determined that a passenger's harness tether inadvertently activated the fuel shutoff lever, leading to engine failure. The agency said that the water landing itself was survivable for the passengers, but the harness tether system prevented them from quickly escaping the ill-fated sinking aircraft.
