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German Authorities Begin Helicopter Radiation‑Monitoring Exercise Near Augsburg

The three‑day drill tests rapid aerial mapping and measurement so authorities can quickly identify contaminated zones to issue protective measures.

Overview

  • Joint flights by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Bundespolizei began on Tuesday and run July 7–9 with helicopters seen over Bad Wörishofen, Mindelheim and Türkheim.
  • Crews fly daily from 08:00 to 17:00 at about 90 meters, with takeoffs and landings at Fliegerhorst Kaufbeuren and planned survey blocks of roughly 14×21 km.
  • In an emergency configuration the teams can map about 100 square kilometers in roughly three hours and deliver measurement results shortly after landing.
  • The Bundespolizei supplies helicopters and pilots while BfS provides the airborne detectors and specialist measurement teams, with additional quality checks over the Forggensee.
  • BfS expects the exercise to detect legacy cesium‑137 from the 1986 Chernobyl fallout in this southwest Augsburg region and stresses the activity is a preparedness drill not a radiological incident.