JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md –
The National Nuclear Security Administration flew over Joint Base Andrews, Maryland to measure naturally occurring background radiation July 17.
The helicopter could be seen flying at low altitudes during the assessment and covered approximately 10 square miles within the base perimeter.
The assessment gathered baseline data that would serve as a baseline in the event of a radiological event. It is a normal part of security and emergency preparedness. This assessment is not in response to an incident or a known threat to JBA or the local area.
"The flight went very well," said Maj. Elisa Hammer, 779th Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight commander. "We gained first-hand knowledge on the outstanding and high tech radiation detection capability the NNSA possesses."
A twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter, operated by a Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System, was equipped with radiation sensing technology. The helicopter flew at a speed of approximately 80 miles per hour in a grid pattern over the area at no lower than 150 feet above the ground.
The NNSA possesses a team of technically trained , PhD-level health physicists, scientists and technicians with capability to detect and identify radiation exposure levels.
"We are so fortunate that the Department of Energy and its Remote Sensing Laboratory reside on Joint Base Andrews," said Hammer.
The Civil Engineering and Bioenvironmental Engineering Flights also participated in the Department of Energy ground teams collecting additional ground truth data.
"This is a valuable asset for our base commanders and emergency responders.," said Hammer. "They can act as a force multiplier in the unlikely event of a radiological incident at or in proximity to Joint Base Andrews."