I remember seeing video of this, many years ago.

Found this with a google search (near the bottom of the page):

"Our birds were the old "Discoverer Capsule Snatchers" that they used to snag parachute rigged capsules ejected by Discoverer Satellites."

at:
http://groups.msn.com/hamiltonafbmemories/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=510&LastModified=4675466672907412797


>An unfortunate occurrence with the solar particles spacecraft on reentry.
>
>But I'm surprised at all the attention the planned helicopter "grab" is getting.
>I'm sure I read that in the early days of spy satellites, before image transmission was possible, U.S. Air Force jets used to regularly snag small parachuted film canisters ejected by satellites.
>
>Anyone else ever hear of that?
>
>cheers