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 Baguley, Manchester.
The two choppers appeared to be part of SAS training[/caption]
Others filmed choppers flying around Manchester[/caption]
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 a number soldiers began rapidly descending onto the rooftop in expert fashion.
Six figures wearing black clothing were counted abseiling down as the helicopters whirred overhead.
Stunned shoppers watched on as the unique drills were carried out in broad daylight.
The figures then pulled the ropes from the helicopters, allowing them to fly off at speed.
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’ – the name given to Eurocopter Dauphin II helicopters.
While not officially named by the military, the term Blue Thunder 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.
Other sightings have taken place in the north west England area in recent days.
Just a day before the choppers were spotted in Baguley, a similar scene unfolded in Media City in Salford.
Military helicopters were seen circling overhead before at least one landed on the roof of a car park at around 11.30pm.
There were also reports of individuals “roping down”, according to the local paper.
One witness told MEN: “We had three or four Blue Thunder helicopters circling around Media City and landing on the car park next to Premier Inn.
“Quite unexpected in the middle of the night. There was also a lot of crew with gear on and ropes.”
Blue Thunder helicopters are coloured white on the base and dark blue on the top and is flown by 658 Squadron Army Air Corps.
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.