10/23   When US troops parachute into Afghanistan, doesn't the enemy troops
        notice it from the loud engine noise of our planes or helicopters?
        And won't they start shooting at our soldiers while they are still
        in the sky and can't run for cover?
        \_ Maybe. It depends on how they come in. There is a parachuting
           technique called HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) that is
           hard to detect. Ask me if you really want the details. -ausman
        \_ I read that we now have "quiet" helicopter tech.  Dunno what that
           really means.  Also these are night drops so merely "looking up"
           may not be enough vs. night camo.
           \_ Blue Thunder
              \_ I thought the "silent mode" on the helicopters in the Blue
                 Thunder movie doesn't exist in reality.
                 \_ That was then.  This is now.  Reality imitating art.
                    \_ i know someone who has seen it. it works.
           \_"Chain guns Dom!"
              \_"String, don't do it!"
                \_Blue Thunder, not Airwolf
        \_ Well, presumably you have some gunships providing cover...
           \_ This would be close to the correct answer. The enemy does
              hear the plane/helicopter, but if done correctly, they
              should not be able to shoot either the plane nor paras.
              You don't drop onto the enemy, you drop nearby and walk
              to the enemy. Gives you time to organize after the drop.
              There would be gunships to provide ground suppression and
              support during the drop and spec ops folks would have
              already scouted out the area beforehand.