Inside Operation Mount Hope III: The Bold Retrieval of a Soviet Attack Helicopter

In 1988, a covert U.S. military mission unfolded in the desolate deserts of northern Chad, resulting in the capture of a Soviet attack helicopter, the **Mil Mi-25 «Hind-D»**. This high-risk operation, codenamed **Operation Mount Hope III**, remains one of the most daring recovery missions in Cold War history.

Conducted by the **160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment** (SOAR), the mission showcased the United States’ ability to acquire foreign military technology in a volatile geopolitical environment.

The Soviet Mi-25 Hind had been abandoned by Libyan forces following the **Toyota War**, a conflict between **Libya and Chad** over control of the **Aouzou Strip** in northern Chad. Chadian forces, backed by **U.S. weapons** and **French air support**, were outnumbered but highly mobile, allowing them to defeat the Libyans and leave behind an estimated $1.5 billion in military equipment, including helicopters and surface-to-air missile systems.

One of the most valuable assets was the Mi-25 Hind, an export version of the **Mil Mi-24**, which the United States had sought to study for years. Renowned for its unique combination of **transport** and **attack capabilities**, the Hind was a formidable symbol of Soviet air power.

The **Mi-25 Hind**, a heavily armored helicopter, was designed to transport up to eight soldiers while delivering devastating firepower with a 12.7 mm machine gun and a variety of rockets and missiles. Its versatility and durability made it a key asset for Soviet forces and their allies, particularly in conflicts like the **Soviet-Afghan War**.

After intense negotiations between Chad, France, and the United States, the African nation granted permission for the Mi-25’s recovery. The operation reportedly cost around $2 million and a shipment of FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, famous since their operational debut in Afghanistan.

To retrieve this valuable equipment, the United States deployed the **CH-47 Chinook**, a tandem rotor helicopter known for its exceptional heavy-lift capacity over long distances. The variant used by SOAR, the **MH-47**, was customized for special operations with extended fuel tanks and advanced avionics, capable of conducting missions in hostile environments like the deserts of Chad.

The operation: Covert, precise, and high-risk

After securing permission from the **Chadian** and **French** governments, U.S. forces launched the mission in **June 1988**. Two MH-47 Chinooks, transported to Chad aboard **C-5 Galaxy** aircraft, were deployed from **N’Djamena** to undertake a 550-mile flight to the abandoned airbase at **Ouadi Doum**, where the Mi-25 was located. Under the cover of darkness and with refueling stops along the way, the Chinooks recovered the helicopter, which had sustained bullet damage but was largely intact.

The mission was fraught with dangers, as Libyan forces remained active in the region and there was a risk they might attempt to destroy the helicopter. Despite these risks, the **160th SOAR** successfully retrieved the Hind, carrying it slung beneath the Chinook for the return journey. After refueling at French bases, the helicopters returned to N’Djamena, where the Mi-25 was loaded onto a **C-5 Galaxy** for transport to the United States.

A Cold War prize

The Hind was evaluated at **Fort Rucker**, Alabama, and later used in military exercises. Its capture provided U.S. analysts with valuable insights into Soviet helicopter technology, helping the United States prepare for potential future conflicts. The operation also underscored the **CH-47 Chinook’s** role as a reliable heavy-lift helicopter, capable of executing complex, high-risk missions in extreme environments.

Today, the recovered Mi-25 is on display at the **Southern Museum of Flight** in Birmingham, Alabama, as a reminder of this extraordinary operation and the technological rivalries of the Cold War.

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