Operation Mount Hope III: When the US military dared to steal a Russian 'Hind' helicopter

The audacious Operation Mount Hope III stands as a remarkable chapter in military history, as the United States embarked on a covert mission to capture a Soviet-made Mil Mi-24 "Hind-D" attack helicopter. This export model of the Soviet Mi-24 had been abandoned in the conflict between Libya and Chad, and the U.S. was determined to acquire this prized military asset. 

The backdrop to this daring mission was the Toyota War, a devastating conflict that lasted eight months and ended in September 1987. This war marked the final confrontation between Chad and Libya over the contested Aouzou Strip, a region in northern Chad along the border with Libya. Despite being outnumbered, the Chadian forces emerged victorious, aided by substantial support from the United States and French military assistance. 

Toyota War aftermath: Operation Mount Hope III 

Following their defeat, the Libyan forces sustained heavy casualties and abandoned vast amounts of military equipment, including approximately 20 aircraft, at the former Libyan air base in Ouadi Doum, Chad. Recognizing the value of this abandoned equipment, the United States moved swiftly to recover and repurpose some of it for its own use. 

In May 1987, the United States initiated Operation Mount Hope III, dispatching a team to Chad to capture the prized Mi-24 "Hind-D" helicopter. The operation involved the disassembly and transportation of the helicopter to the United States. The Russian Mi-24 helicopters, also known by their NATO reporting name "Hind," held significant importance in the 1980s for several reasons, particularly in the context of the Cold War and various conflicts during that era. Mi-24s were heavily armed, with a combination of machine guns, rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles. This firepower made them highly effective in ground attack roles. They could engage armored vehicles, fortifications, and enemy infantry. 

On June 11, 1987, under the cover of darkness and amid concerns of potential air attacks by the remaining Libyan forces, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters left N'Djamena for the Ouadi Doum airfield, where the Hind had been secured. The operation's success relied on maintaining secrecy and speed. The US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), nicknamed ‘Night Stalkers’ were chosen for the operation. 

Recovery and transport 

Upon reaching Ouadi Doum, the advance team at the airfield had prepared the Hind for transport. Although the helicopter was nearly airworthy, it had sustained engine damage from a bullet, making it too risky to fly. Both Chinooks had their additional fuel tanks removed to accommodate the Hind for transport.

The Chinooks embarked on their return trip, making refueling stops at strategic locations, with French support provided by Mirage F1s to ensure air cover. The recovered Hind was subsequently loaded into a C-5 for transport to the United States. The operation concluded with the successful acquisition of the Soviet-made helicopter, which became an invaluable asset for the U.S. military.