Saturday morning residents of Chelsea—whether they were out for a walk, driving through town, or relaxing at home—likely experienced what felt like a scene from a movie. Throughout much of the morning and into the early afternoon, a Bell Rotorcraft Survey helicopter operated by the Massachusetts State Police, FBI and the U.S. Department of Energy conducted training exercises across the city. The aircraft made numerous low-altitude passes over rooftops while measuring natural ground radiation levels. Many residents were startled as the helicopter suddenly appeared above neighborhoods and tree lines without warning. At one point, the aircraft passed extremely close to the Chelsea Street Bridge, descending to approximately 150 feet above the ground. These training operations were part of a broader exercise being conducted across multiple municipalities in the Metro Boston region.
Training Drills
