diff --git a/Tactical/Merc Entering.cpp b/Tactical/Merc Entering.cpp
index 9da415338..6a4258788 100644
--- a/Tactical/Merc Entering.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Merc Entering.cpp	
@@ -568,7 +568,6 @@ void HandleHeliDrop( BOOLEAN fPlayer )
 #else
 				//MercPtrs[ gusHeliSeats[ cnt ] ]->ubStrategicInsertionCode = INSERTION_CODE_NORTH;				
 				MercPtrs[ gusHeliSeats[ cnt ] ]->ubStrategicInsertionCode = INSERTION_CODE_GRIDNO;
-				MercPtrs[gusHeliSeats[cnt]]->ubDirection = EAST;
 				// sevenfm: if soldiers land into enemy sector, use gsGridNoSweetSpot
 				//MercPtrs[ gusHeliSeats[ cnt ] ]->usStrategicInsertionData = gGameExternalOptions.iInitialMercArrivalLocation;
 				MercPtrs[gusHeliSeats[cnt]]->usStrategicInsertionData = gsGridNoSweetSpot;
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Add.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Add.cpp
index cc9f4672e..afb5c4ee2 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Add.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Add.cpp	
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 //forward declarations of common classes to eliminate includes
 class OBJECTTYPE;
 class SOLDIERTYPE;
-
+extern BOOLEAN gfHandleHeli;
 // Adds a soldier to a world gridno and set's direction
 void AddSoldierToSectorGridNo( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection, BOOLEAN fUseAnimation, UINT16 usAnimState, UINT16 usAnimCode );
 
@@ -1317,7 +1317,7 @@ BOOLEAN InternalAddSoldierToSector( UINT8 ubID, BOOLEAN fCalculateDirection, BOO
 		}
 
 		//Add
-		if(gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & LOADING_SAVED_GAME || (pSoldier->ubStrategicInsertionCode == INSERTION_CODE_GRIDNO && !gfEnteredFromTacticalPlacement))
+		if(gTacticalStatus.uiFlags & LOADING_SAVED_GAME || (pSoldier->ubStrategicInsertionCode == INSERTION_CODE_GRIDNO && !gfHandleHeli && !gfEnteredFromTacticalPlacement))
 			AddSoldierToSectorGridNo( pSoldier, sGridNo, pSoldier->ubDirection, TRUE, -1, 0);//shadooow: hack to make sure animations aren't changed
 		else
 			AddSoldierToSectorGridNo( pSoldier, sGridNo, ubDirection, fUseAnimation, usAnimState, usAnimCode );