Hi everyone! Just found this while searching around on several bulletin boards. It sounded rather intriguing...considering the timing, as well. (PS- I chickened out of staying in Philly for the time being)
http://www.jpeocbd.osd.mil/CA_Infopaper.htm INFORMATION PAPER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact
Cynthia Smith, Army Public Affairs
Media Relations Department RM 1E475
1500 Army Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20310-1500
NORMAN, OKLA. – Federal agencies will conduct tests from Cessna aircraft in the Canadian River Valley Feb. 18 through 24. Some tests will be water-only trials; the other tests will be no-release trials. This series of tests is the fifth in a series of weather radar tests in the Oklahoma City area that are being conducted by the United States Army, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory, Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The test is designed to provide data for the development of an early warning system for chemical and biological events.
During these tests, water will be disseminated from a Cessna 188 AgWagon or crop duster flying specific routes and using pre-determined release rates, aircraft speeds and altitude levels. Although water will be the only simulant used during the trial, denatured ethanol may be used to prevent the water from freezing.
Additionally, a Cessna 182A aircraft will be used to conduct non-dissemination trials. Flight paths will vary by altitude and heading and generally will be conducted south and west of the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
Testing conducted in March, April, May and November 2003 and January 2004 produced favorable results. The tests are designed to provide information on the feasibility and current capability of commonly used radars to provide an early warning system for chemical and biological events. The objective of these trials is to collect data for continued development and validation of a radar algorithm for chemical/biological early warning.
Information about the test, including schedules and maps, will be available on the Internet at www.jpeocbd.osd.mil/CA_Infopaper.htm. The public may also call the Army’s toll-free Multi-Mission Sensor Test Information Line at (866) 223-1101 for a daily-recorded message about scheduled test sites and times. Messages left on the information line will be returned in a timely manner.
For more information contact Ms. Cynthia O. Smith at (703) 697-5344.
So much preparation going on everywhere...