Overview
- The Department of Energy says the helicopter surveys are underway through Wednesday and were announced publicly to prevent alarm.
- Operations are being conducted by the NNSA’s Nuclear Emergency Support Team using a Leonardo AW-139 helicopter.
- The aircraft carries an Aerial Measuring System that provides real-time mapping of environmental radiation levels.
- Collected data sets a background baseline to improve detection of any anomalies during Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
- The aerial measuring program dates to 1958 and has been used before major events and in emergencies such as Three Mile Island.