This post originally was published Aug. 29 at 7:59 p.m.
Beginning Aug. 27, a helicopter may be seen flying at a low-level altitude over portions of San Francisco, Pacifica and Oakland, Calif. The helicopter will be taking measurements of naturally-occurring background radiation. The helicopter will make daily flights between Aug. 27 and Sept. 1, 2012.
The flyovers are a part of a joint research project between the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to assess natural background radiation levels. The survey will cover approximately 69 square miles over the selected locations. NNSA’s twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter, operated by the Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System in Las Vegas, Nev., will perform the survey. The helicopter will fly in a grid pattern over the locations about 300 feet above the ground. The flights will be limited to daylight hours and the survey is estimated to take about five days to complete.
The background data will be used by DNDO and NNSA to improve aerial radiation measurement capabilities used by local, state and federal entities.
- San Francisco Police Department Media Relations Unit: sfpdmediarelations@sfgov.org
- Oakland Police Department Public Information Office: opdmedia@oaklandnet.com
- Pacifica Police Department Public Information Office: realyvasquezf@pacificapolice.org
- DNDO Public Affairs Office: Keva.silversmith@dhs.gov
- NNSA Public Affairs Office: NNSAPress.Office@nnsa.doe.gov
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Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_radiation
I have two thoughts about the latest round of buzzing. 1) They are gathering radiation data from Fukushima fallout. 2) They are psychologically preparing the public for the introduction of drones soon to be flying over urban skies.
If we're talking about reducing danger in the city, I sure would love to see everyone put their energy toward having lighted in-roadway crosswalk systems on Marin.
Albany may be small and mostly quiet, but it is part of a large urban area. Expectations should be set accordingly.
As I looked over my left shoulder I could see a huge dust storm coming up from Raimondi Field, in West Oakland, where both of them landed. For the life of me I cannot believe this was an intentional incident and they were looking for somewhere to land. When I inquired about it, nobody seemed to admit it had happened.
The number of helicopters over the Bay daily is very disturbing. The coast guard does frequent drills. The news helicopters for "Occupy the Farm" had me on edge for days, and impacted bird colonies in nesting season. Why can't they use balloons or something quiet to make measurements? Maybe I sound like an idiot but has anyone asked this? "We, the people", and all that...who asked us? And, what's the benefit, and why is money being spent on it when people are unemployed, etc. Just wondering.
As much as I didn't care for them, were the news helicopters covering the Gill Tract really affecting bird colonies on Alcatraz? After being here, they would have flown home, which is Oakland Airport, not SFO.
Have you ever wondered what the Coast Guard has been doing since the mid-'70's when they board incoming foreign vessels (new to the Bay)? Hint: They board with VERY sensitive geiger counters. As one former Coast Guard guy told me years ago, his counter went-off while walking down a deep hallway. They were all alerted, AK's in hand; - they chased it down to coming from WITHIN a bulkhead (read: wall) of the ship next to sleeping quarters. They cracked open the wall, and THERE was a half-dozen cheap Chinese watches with glowing dials. The guy whose bunk it was thought he was toast; but the Guard team laughed, and walked on. There are WAY TOO many container ships coming in for the Coast Guard to inspect, and there are WAY too many bomb makers in the world today- (and there will be much MORE tomorrow). Fortunately, sensitive systems have been deployed by satellite, and can be augmented from airplanes. High resolution mapping (done by helicopter) can document pre-existing 'hot' areas so that the Guard isn't called out (-again-) to chase down 'glow in the dark' paint.