2RHPZ
09-14-2004, 04:51 PM
Quite a few Soviet-built aircraft ended in the USA, which is no small wonder, given the fact that the US military has a special service responsible for studying foreign military technologies established already in 1918, and known as "Foreign Technology Division" (responsible to USAF Systems Command) for most of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s (it is now functioning under some other authority, and is not under the direct USAF control).
Anyway, after the project "Mullah", which ended with that MiG-15 being flown to South Korea, 1953 (albeit the pilot said he didn't knew about the reward waiting for him), several other actions followed.
In early 1960s, an Su-9 was flown out by a Soviet pilot to Iran, and supposedly then both were shipped to the USA.
In 1966, the Israelis have got at least one MiG-21F-13 (for Iraq, a well known operation conducted by Mossad), and then two or three MiG-17Fs from Syria. Also, during the Six Day War, in 1967, six Algerian MiG-17Fs and at least one MiG-21F-13 landed at el-Arish AB, after this was already captured by the Israelis.
From what is known, somewhere around 1968 or 1970 at least the two MiG-21F-13s, and two MiG-17Fs (I think some of Algerian examples were even returned to Algeria) were delivered to the USA, where they were extensively tested in the project "Have Donut".
During the October War, in 1973, the Israelis again captured some Arab SAMs, and these were then copied in the USA for building equipment which could mimic then in Red Flag exercises. Such equipment was later re-delivered to the Israelis and even to Iranians.
In 1976 Lt. V. Belekno flew his MiG-25P to Japan in the well known incident.
In 1979, also eight MiG-21MFs, and eight MiG-23MS/BNs were purchased by the USA from Egypt (together with some other equipment), and these formed the basis of the "Red Hat" squadron of the USAF, which flew these MiGs until the early 1990s. In 1984, also a Libyan MiG-23MS was flown to either Italy or Greece, and then delivered to the USA, where it crashed (killing the USAF Gen. R. Bond) only weeks later.
During the 1980s a series of Chinese and North Korean defectors flew several MiG-19/J-6s and Il-28/H-5s to South Korea and Taiwan. It is known that at least one or two of these five or six aircraft ended in the USA.
In 1986, a Syrian MiG-23MF-pilot defected to Turkey. The plane - or better said, its sad remains - were returned to Syria in crates, after a "throughout" inspection by FTD-technicians. In the same year, also another - extremely interesting, but still largerly secret - FTD-operation was undertaken somewhere else, with excellent results, which, however, are beyond this thread.
In or around 1986 Egyptians also sold two Su-20s to Germans, which used them for testing until the early 1990s. In the same year, and again in 1989, two Cuban pilots defected in the USA, one flying a MiG-21MF, another a MiG-23MF. Supposedly, the MiG-23 was returned, but I'm not sure if this is truth.
Between 1986 and 1987 also at least four fast jets (apparently all of them Su-22M-4Ks and MiG-21MF/bis) as well as up to six Mi-8 and two Mi-24 helicopters of the Afghan AF, were flown to Pakistan. Obviously, all of them ended in the USA (except one Su-22M-4K, if I'm not wrong).
In 1987, Chadians captured plethora of Soviet-built Libyan aircraft during the fighting in Chad and Libya. Included were even two (inoperational) Tu-22B bombers, and enough L-39s to sold ten of them to Egypt (then some operational SA-6s, MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and even operational Mi-24s). At least one - probably two - Mi-24s were delivered to France, which tested them before selling them to the USA. One might still be flying with the US Army.
The greatest "break-through" came in 1989, when a Soviet pilot flew his MiG-29 to Turkey, and a Syrian pilot flew his MiG-23ML to Israel. The first plane was returned, if I'm not wrong, but certainly "inspected" before send back. The MiG-23 remained in Israel.
Of course, once the East Europe opened, the FTD was fast to link with sources - foremost in Poland. Over a dozen of Polish-built MiG-15s and MiG-17s were bought. Additional info came from the former East German AF, which had to deliver all of its MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, and SU-22s to the West German AF. Of course, all the types were throughouthly tested before being - supposedly (as some of East German MiG-21s and Mi-24s might have ben delivered to Croatia, albeit this is still not confirmed) - scrapped.
In 1991, the FTD-technicians have also inspected three Iraqi MiG-29s, found in damaged condition at Tallil AB, as well as a plethora of other aircraft (including intact: Su-7, Su-22M-4K plus an AS-28/Kh-9 ARM, one MiG-23, at least two MiG-25, one or two Su-25, three Mi-25s, and several Mi-8s etc.). It is known that the Mi-25s and Mi-8s were taken to the USA, where they are used until today. The Su-7 and MiG-23MF are displayed in museum at Wright-Patterson AFB now, together with one Mi-25 (which was found not repairable any more).
In 1992 also another Libyan MiG-23 landed at Krete, in Greece. It's not sure if it was returned to Libya.
Meanwhile, also at least one MiG-21PF appeared in the service with the USAF (source unknown, but said to be SE Asian), together with some other aircraft. So, I'd say, all in all, this would make for some 30-40 Soviet-built aircraft and helicopters finding their way in the USA by early 1990s, including a dozen or so of MiG-15s, MiG-17s, at least 12 MiG-21s, probably 8-12 MiG-23s, and between 12 and 14 Mi-8s and Mi-24s. Additional aircraft, including at least one MiG-25, two MiG-23s and some others (including a Soviet Tu-95, which landed in Alaska due to engine problems in late 1960s) were "inspected" to one degree or the other.
Now, ever since, the FTD (or what the service is called now) has got the Moldovan MiG-29s, then some wrecks of two Yugoslav J-22 Oraos, and then one or two Ka-28s. There are rumours about some Russian pilot defecting with his Su-27 in the USA sometimes through the mid-1990s, but nothing is known about this and it might be a sort of an "urban legend".
The CIA now has a para-military arm, which operates some An-26s, and at least four Mi-8s. These saw extensive service so far in Afghanistan.
The plane you're talking about in this case is an An-26 too (some say it's an An-32, but it looks An-26 all the way), and actually operated by the 6th SOSs (Special Operations Squadron), 16th SOW (Special Operations Wing), of the USAF/SOC (Special Operations Command) since 1994 or so.
The US Army operates at least two Mi-24s, perhaps two Mi-8s, and one Ka-28.
I guess that Mi-8 is OPFOR at ROTC (Ft. Polk).
Regards,
CAG 147
Anyway, after the project "Mullah", which ended with that MiG-15 being flown to South Korea, 1953 (albeit the pilot said he didn't knew about the reward waiting for him), several other actions followed.
In early 1960s, an Su-9 was flown out by a Soviet pilot to Iran, and supposedly then both were shipped to the USA.
In 1966, the Israelis have got at least one MiG-21F-13 (for Iraq, a well known operation conducted by Mossad), and then two or three MiG-17Fs from Syria. Also, during the Six Day War, in 1967, six Algerian MiG-17Fs and at least one MiG-21F-13 landed at el-Arish AB, after this was already captured by the Israelis.
From what is known, somewhere around 1968 or 1970 at least the two MiG-21F-13s, and two MiG-17Fs (I think some of Algerian examples were even returned to Algeria) were delivered to the USA, where they were extensively tested in the project "Have Donut".
During the October War, in 1973, the Israelis again captured some Arab SAMs, and these were then copied in the USA for building equipment which could mimic then in Red Flag exercises. Such equipment was later re-delivered to the Israelis and even to Iranians.
In 1976 Lt. V. Belekno flew his MiG-25P to Japan in the well known incident.
In 1979, also eight MiG-21MFs, and eight MiG-23MS/BNs were purchased by the USA from Egypt (together with some other equipment), and these formed the basis of the "Red Hat" squadron of the USAF, which flew these MiGs until the early 1990s. In 1984, also a Libyan MiG-23MS was flown to either Italy or Greece, and then delivered to the USA, where it crashed (killing the USAF Gen. R. Bond) only weeks later.
During the 1980s a series of Chinese and North Korean defectors flew several MiG-19/J-6s and Il-28/H-5s to South Korea and Taiwan. It is known that at least one or two of these five or six aircraft ended in the USA.
In 1986, a Syrian MiG-23MF-pilot defected to Turkey. The plane - or better said, its sad remains - were returned to Syria in crates, after a "throughout" inspection by FTD-technicians. In the same year, also another - extremely interesting, but still largerly secret - FTD-operation was undertaken somewhere else, with excellent results, which, however, are beyond this thread.
In or around 1986 Egyptians also sold two Su-20s to Germans, which used them for testing until the early 1990s. In the same year, and again in 1989, two Cuban pilots defected in the USA, one flying a MiG-21MF, another a MiG-23MF. Supposedly, the MiG-23 was returned, but I'm not sure if this is truth.
Between 1986 and 1987 also at least four fast jets (apparently all of them Su-22M-4Ks and MiG-21MF/bis) as well as up to six Mi-8 and two Mi-24 helicopters of the Afghan AF, were flown to Pakistan. Obviously, all of them ended in the USA (except one Su-22M-4K, if I'm not wrong).
In 1987, Chadians captured plethora of Soviet-built Libyan aircraft during the fighting in Chad and Libya. Included were even two (inoperational) Tu-22B bombers, and enough L-39s to sold ten of them to Egypt (then some operational SA-6s, MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and even operational Mi-24s). At least one - probably two - Mi-24s were delivered to France, which tested them before selling them to the USA. One might still be flying with the US Army.
The greatest "break-through" came in 1989, when a Soviet pilot flew his MiG-29 to Turkey, and a Syrian pilot flew his MiG-23ML to Israel. The first plane was returned, if I'm not wrong, but certainly "inspected" before send back. The MiG-23 remained in Israel.
Of course, once the East Europe opened, the FTD was fast to link with sources - foremost in Poland. Over a dozen of Polish-built MiG-15s and MiG-17s were bought. Additional info came from the former East German AF, which had to deliver all of its MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, and SU-22s to the West German AF. Of course, all the types were throughouthly tested before being - supposedly (as some of East German MiG-21s and Mi-24s might have ben delivered to Croatia, albeit this is still not confirmed) - scrapped.
In 1991, the FTD-technicians have also inspected three Iraqi MiG-29s, found in damaged condition at Tallil AB, as well as a plethora of other aircraft (including intact: Su-7, Su-22M-4K plus an AS-28/Kh-9 ARM, one MiG-23, at least two MiG-25, one or two Su-25, three Mi-25s, and several Mi-8s etc.). It is known that the Mi-25s and Mi-8s were taken to the USA, where they are used until today. The Su-7 and MiG-23MF are displayed in museum at Wright-Patterson AFB now, together with one Mi-25 (which was found not repairable any more).
In 1992 also another Libyan MiG-23 landed at Krete, in Greece. It's not sure if it was returned to Libya.
Meanwhile, also at least one MiG-21PF appeared in the service with the USAF (source unknown, but said to be SE Asian), together with some other aircraft. So, I'd say, all in all, this would make for some 30-40 Soviet-built aircraft and helicopters finding their way in the USA by early 1990s, including a dozen or so of MiG-15s, MiG-17s, at least 12 MiG-21s, probably 8-12 MiG-23s, and between 12 and 14 Mi-8s and Mi-24s. Additional aircraft, including at least one MiG-25, two MiG-23s and some others (including a Soviet Tu-95, which landed in Alaska due to engine problems in late 1960s) were "inspected" to one degree or the other.
Now, ever since, the FTD (or what the service is called now) has got the Moldovan MiG-29s, then some wrecks of two Yugoslav J-22 Oraos, and then one or two Ka-28s. There are rumours about some Russian pilot defecting with his Su-27 in the USA sometimes through the mid-1990s, but nothing is known about this and it might be a sort of an "urban legend".
The CIA now has a para-military arm, which operates some An-26s, and at least four Mi-8s. These saw extensive service so far in Afghanistan.
The plane you're talking about in this case is an An-26 too (some say it's an An-32, but it looks An-26 all the way), and actually operated by the 6th SOSs (Special Operations Squadron), 16th SOW (Special Operations Wing), of the USAF/SOC (Special Operations Command) since 1994 or so.
The US Army operates at least two Mi-24s, perhaps two Mi-8s, and one Ka-28.
I guess that Mi-8 is OPFOR at ROTC (Ft. Polk).
Regards,
CAG 147