---
title: "That time the US Army stole a Soviet helicopter for the CIA"
description: "A crew of special operators strapped a Soviet-made, Libyan-owned helicopter to the bottom of a Chinook, and flew it back to the U.S."
date: "2021-01-29"
modified: "2023-01-31"
authors:
  - name: "Logan Nye"
    job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-moments/time-us-armys-nightstalkers-stole-soviet-helicopter-cia/"
categories:
  - "Aircraft"
  - "Army"
  - "Cold War"
  - "History"
  - "Tactical"
  - "War History"
tags:
  - "Russia"
---

# That time the US Army stole a Soviet helicopter for the CIA

![helicopter](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/helo.jpg>)

The Mi-25 was the export version of the Soviet premiere attack and troop transport helicopter, the Mi-24. The Mi-24 was a game-changing [Soviet helicopter that could drop a special forces squad ](<https://tacairnet.com/2015/05/12/hind-heist/>)in contested territory and then provide air support to the operation. It's exact makeup and technical specs were highly guarded by the Russian government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chVSfWxjU7w

But, in spite of the secrecy, at dawn on June 12, 1987 American Chinook helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment -- The Nightstalkers -- landed at an airfield in Chad. There a crew of special operators strapped a Soviet-made, Libyan-owned Mi-25 Attack helicopter to the bottom of one of the Chinooks, and flew it back to the U.S.

See the full story at [Tactical Air Network](<https://tacairnet.com/2015/05/12/hind-heist/>).

### NOW: [5 key differences between Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 ](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/seal-team-6-delta-force/>)

### OR: [This top-secret operation was the World War II version of 'Weekend At Bernie's' ](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/operation-mincemeat/>)

**Read more on WATM:**

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/deadliest-american-battle-history-gettysburg/

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/hungarian-serial-killer-world-war-i/

https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/teddy-roosevelts-rough-riders-polka-dot-pattern/

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/battle-of-hue-city-history/

## Author
Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/JustLoganNye>)  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/ProfHarlequin-111921498198749>)