[MilCom] Re: MilCom Digest, Vol 35, Issue 48

[Ben Russell]

> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:04:39 -0500
> From: "Ken" <rfinder1 at verizon.net>
> Subject: [MilCom] ARNG Aero Railroad Track Surveillance & Security
> 	Mission?
 
> Today at work (approx 1445 hrs local), I heard & than observed 2 UH60 helos 
> flying at about 400 to 500 feet flying above the CSX railroad main tracks in 
> Palmer MA.  Was out of my office in a different part of the building, so 
> didn't have my scanner with me.  When I got back to the office, turned the 
> scanner on but didn't monitoring any air/air comms or ATC comms.   Wondering 
> if anyone else has obserfved military helos flying at relatively low 
> altitudes following railroad tracks?   Perhaps this is another "homeland 
> security" type mission that ARNG Aero assets are practicing for?
> 
> Ken
> Springfield MA Monitoring Area 
> 



My first guess would be that the train tracks simply made a good ground
reference during a VFR flight or a training run.  There are a lot of railroads
in Pennsylvania and I know a bunch of people involved in with the railroads
here...nobody in this state has noticed any "homeland security" patrols as you
called it.

The only RR I'm aware of that has routine aerial patrols is Amtrak.  Amtrak's
"TrackStar" police helicopter patrols the Amtrak Northeast Corridor passenger
line between Boston and D.C. and Amtrak's Keystone Line between Philadelphia
and Harrisburg, PA (two of the few routes actually owned by Amtrak). The helo
can be heard on VHF ATC freqs and Amtrak's police dispatch (161.295/160.365).







 
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