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Aerial radiation testing will be conducted over DC ahead of Presidential Inauguration

Residents in the District can expect to see a helicopter flying lower than usual.
Credit: AP
A view of the National Mall, looking toward the Washington Monument, from Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON — As the nation prepares to transition from one sitting president to the next, the District has its own list of preparations it must undergo. 

Beginning Dec. 2 through Dec. 13, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will conduct low-altitude helicopter flights over downtown. The helicopters will measure expected background radiation as we prepare for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. 

These preparations are to protect public health and safety during the event. 

Residents in the District can expect to see a helicopter flying lower than usual. This helicopter will be equipped with radiation-sensing technology. 

The Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) will conduct the operation. NEST is comprised of scientists, engineers, emergency managers, and technicians. 

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