Mi-8 In South Carolina?

[Flanker-Fan]

Hope you guys can help with something of a mystery for me. While on vacation last week in Myrtle Beach, SC I had something of a shock when I watched a Russian Mi-8 “Hip” pass along the beach going south. It was either orange or yellow in color with black or blue trim and had the ramp style tailgate vs. the normal clam shell doors in the back (does this make it a Mi-171?)

There was no mistaking what it was, felt like I had seen Big Foot or something! It’s my understanding that the -8 isn’t certified to fly in the states so I’m at a loss as to what it was doing in South Carolina. Can anyone shed some light on the details of this machine?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Huddy]

perhaps Cristians In Action.

 

There's a few being flown by the US military, and various other U.S. government agencies. Mind you their 'work' is mostly out of the country, but some training is done in the states. As for the particular aircraft you describe, I have no idea.

[Flanker-Fan]

perhaps Cristians In Action.

 

There's a few being flown by the US military, and various other U.S. government agencies. Mind you their 'work' is mostly out of the country, but some training is done in the states. As for the particular aircraft you describe, I have no idea.

 

The thought that it might be one of the Army's "aggressors" did occur but it had a decidedly unmilitary paint scheme.

[Flanker-Fan]

perhaps Cristians In Action.

 

There's a few being flown by the US military, and various other U.S. government agencies. Mind you their 'work' is mostly out of the country, but some training is done in the states. As for the particular aircraft you describe, I have no idea.

 

The thought that it might be one of the Army's "aggressors" did occur but it had a decidedly unmilitary paint scheme.

[Hover exit]

Probably presidential airways aka Blackwater.

[Flanker-Fan]

Probably presidential airways aka Blackwater.

 

They say no.

http://www.presidentialairways.net/presidential.html

[canukav8tor]

Googlefu indicates it may be an Mi-17 (link)

 

...The Pentagon has bought Mi-17 helicopters for foreign security forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as for domestic use...