EXERCISE HELICOPTER FLIGHTS SCHEDULED IN CAPITAL REGION JUNE 1-5 Issued By: New York State Emergency Management Office Issued On: 5/28/09 11:00 AM Affected Jurisdictions: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady Counties THIS IS A ROUTINE PRESS RELEASE Residents in New York State’s Capital Region can expect to see a low-flying Bell 412 helicopter flying at altitudes ranging from 150 to 1,000 feet above the ground from Monday, June 1, through next Friday, June 5. The helicopter is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The silver and black with blue trim helicopter is flying in support of the Empire 09 Exercise that is taking place primarily in Albany during the same time period. The aircraft will be based out of the Albany International Airport and will fly mostly over downtown Albany, areas of the Hudson River and western Rensselaer County. The Empire 09 exercise is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy / National Nuclear Security Administration and is hosted by New York State through the NYS Disaster Preparedness Commission. More than 550 first responders from State, Federal and Local governments, and hospital/health-care workers from over 30 Federal, New York State and local agencies in Albany and Rensselaer counties will participate in an intensive, three-day emergency response exercise beginning Tuesday. ##### Media Contacts: : Dennis Michalski (SEMO) (518) 292-2310 CA@semo.state.ny.us ("mailto:CA@semo.state.ny.us") Darwin J. Morgan (DOE) (702) 295-3521 / 630-0120 morgan@nv.doe.gov ("mailto:morgan@nv.doe.gov")