Residents of Tucson, Arizona, United States, were surprised by military helicopters flying over the city on low altitude night flights this week. Among the aircraft was a Russian-made Mi-17, painted gray and linked to an ultra-secret US Army unit known as Aviation Technology Office (act).
The exercise, which included simulations with explosives and feast shots, occurred in an abandoned school, but the lack of prior notice generated discomfort between the population. Local sheriff admitted communication failures and apologized.
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The act is a unit specialized in covered operations and development of advanced technologies, such as the stealth helicopters used in the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. Its MI-17s have unique settings, including sensors, extra shielding and defense systems. The same model has already been spotted in other states, often accompanied by Bell 407s, another aircraft used by the unit. In 2021, similar helicopters participated in urban training in Los Angeles and even a rescue in North Carolina.
Although US special forces exercise in cities often, the presence of a Russian helicopter operated by a clandestine unit caught the eye. The CIA has also used Mi-17s in operations, such as the removal of Afghanistan. The incident in Tucson rekindles the debate on the confidentiality of these missions and their impact on civilians, especially when they occur without warning. Authorities promise to improve transparency, but the secret nature of the act suggests that new sightings may continue to generate surprise.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: x @trbrtc | This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team
A mysterious Soviet-era transport helicopter unexpectedly landed in a field in Eldorado, North Carolina. Several men with backpacks disembarked and headed into the nearby woods, leaving the Mi-171E1 (20-2131) behind overnight. H/t @jcameronmcso. pic.twitter.com/o90MgK2Lna
– Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) August 13, 2024
