Helicopters Conducting Radiation Assessment in Northern Virginia
Several residents report hearing helicopters in the skies over the area.
Seen or heard low-flying helicopters lately? They're likely part of a radiation assessment by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the federal agency that maintains the U.S.'s nuclear weapons stockpile. The helicopters began flying over the area Thursday, measuring naturally occurring radiation, according to the group's website. The flights will continue until Jan. 11 during daylight hours only. Pilots fly at about 80 miles per hour at 150 feet or higher over the 70-square mile radiation assessment area, NNSA officials said. Scientists with NNSA’s Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) out of Joint Base Andrews will use remote gamma radiation-sensing instrumentals to carry out the assessments. Naturally-occurring radiation is …
