How did the US acquire MiG aircraft? #military #aviation

American MiG-21 and MiG-23 pilot John Mann discusses how MiG aircraft move around the world. While it is still classified, he explores how programs like Constant Peg could have obtained their aircraft.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum:

[matthewcantrell]

Some of it we stole, some we bought, some we found, and some we “acquired”

[abelrivera]

I cannot tell you.... Classified John... this one was acquired from Bulgaria.

[obi-wankenobimasteroftroll]

S: Strategically
T: Transfer
E: Equipment
A: to Alternate
L: Location

[FirstNameLastName-evjk]

Fell off the back of a lorry, honest.

[jonbong]

"I cant tell you how we got them but i can strongly insinuate it"

[Treblaine]

I love these interviews as he always gives an interesting story but never answers the question.

[abepeterson]

Week one of bootcamp my drill instructor told us, "We have integrity always, but we can always tactically acquire equipment."

[GoatPopsicle]

Israel being a major supplier is already known. Heck, they have a museum exhibit of the enemy tanks & aircraft they downed or captured.

[terryv.]

Back in the early 90s the pilot of a Libyan Mig23 defected and crash landed his plane in Crete. I was a child back then and saw the actual plane where it lay.

It was boxed and disappeared soon afterwards

[prowlermadmax]

back in 1984 i was deployed to Nelis Airforce Base in Nevada, for Operation Green Flag. I was able to get security clearance to check out the MiG 23, it was awesome being able to sit inside the cockpit.

[dillonventola]

"We found it in the middle of the desert and stole it"

[smsnc]

There is a book that talks about the first one they referred to as the donut. It came from a defector. He was paid then given citizenship. But after this it changed the policy on how much fuel was allowed to be in a mig afterwards

[williamward]

4477th got their MiGs from Egypt in trade for some hardware from the USA

[GDuncan]

Many of these are well-known. Victor Balenko was a Mig 25 Foxbat pilot who defected in 1976 and landed his aircraft in Japan.

[nickgarcia]

Strategically
Transfer
Equipment
To
Alternate
Location

[jermyeder]

i love how he both doesn't answer the question and answers it at the same time.

[silvermane]

He gave such a convoluted answer to a subject that it has been known for decades.

[aboutt-rexes]

Its too bad we will never know the full story, I'm sure its very interesting

[robertphillips]

Some came to us when their Pilots defected using them to escape.

[WhiteIkiryo-ytit]

Always remember to Strategically Transfer Equipment to Alternate Locations.