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Federal Helicopters Conduct Radiation Sweeps Ahead of Super Bowl

Federal helicopters equipped with radiation sensors flew low over the Bay Area to measure background radiation as part of routine Super Bowl security, NNSA said.

  • On Monday, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration began low-altitude helicopter flights over the San Francisco Bay Area through Wednesday ahead of the Super Bowl on February 8 to support public safety.
  • To establish baselines, NNSA’s Nuclear Emergency Support Team measures background radiation to detect risks and protect public health during the Super Bowl as part of counterterrorism and counterproliferation programs.
  • Using a Leonardo AW139 and twin-engine Bell 412, crews fly grid/zig-zag flight patterns at about 150 feet and roughly 80 miles per hour during daylight hours, with two hours per area.
  • Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area reported low‑flying helicopters, prompting the FAA to establish No Drone Zones around key venues beginning February 3, with restrictions continuing through Wednesday.
  • The Super Bowl's scale means the game‑day airspace will expand to a 30‑nautical‑mile radius up to 18,000 feet, with post‑game restrictions inside a two‑nautical‑mile radius up to 2,000 feet.
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The Super Bowl is less than a week away. Now the host city, San Francisco, is stepping up security.

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Local News Matters broke the news in on Monday, February 2, 2026.
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