On Monday, shoppers at a Tesco supermarket in Baguley, Manchester, were taken aback when they witnessed what appeared to be a military exercise involving helicopters and figures abseiling from them. According to reports, two Eurocopter Dauphin II helicopters were observed hovering close to the supermarket, dropping ropes from which six individuals, dressed in dark clothing reminiscent of military fatigues, descended onto a nearby roof.
The helicopters swiftly departed after the figures retrieved the ropes, leaving witnesses intrigued and bewildered. The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment regarding the incident, which has sparked speculation among experts who suggested it could relate to special forces training, potentially involving the SAS. Such exercises are designed for rapid insertion and extraction techniques.
This incident in Baguley follows a similar occurrence the previous day at Media City in Salford, where military helicopters also circled overhead. At approximately 11.30 pm, at least one helicopter landed on the roof of a car park near the Premier Inn, catching the attention of locals. A witness described the unexpected scene, noting, "We had three or four Blue Thunder helicopters circling around Media City and landing on the car park next to Premier Inn," highlighting the unusual nature of the event given its late-hour timing.
'Blue Thunder' references the nickname for the Eurocopter Dauphin II, a type of helicopter utilised by the SAS. Notably, witnesses in Baguley identified the same aircraft type, solidifying the connection between the two incidents. Additionally, reports emerged of similar helicopters flying low over Wrexham, Wales, on the same night, also without any lights activated. Flight trackers indicated no public or private flights in the sky at that time.
The Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin is a fast twin-engine helicopter thought to be modified for special operations, allowing for efficient deployment and extraction of military personnel. This incident is part of broader military activities within the United Kingdom, as various branches of the armed forces have engaged in high-profile training exercises amid rising global tensions, notably in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a separate but related military display, HMS Dauntless, one of the UK's advanced Type 45 destroyers, recently conducted a live-fire drill off the Welsh coast. The exercise showcased the vessel’s capabilities in countering drone threats, using nearly all of its weapon systems to engage various targets. It prepared the HMS Dauntless for an impending deployment to Asia, amid concerns about potential threats in strategic maritime regions.
As military activities continue to escalate in various parts of the world, localised training exercises such as those observed in Manchester and Salford appear to reflect an ongoing commitment to readiness and tactical proficiency among UK forces.
Source: Noah Wire Services