In recent weeks and months residents of Washington DC have noticed a definite increase in helicopter traffic overhead. We’re used to the ambulance helicopters going to Washington Hospital Center, and police helicopters covering, big events on the Mall, and the occasional police chase, and so on. But something more has been going on recently. Now we know a little bit about what it’s going on: a covert mission.
The mysterious classified operation was disclosed when the Army asked Congress for approval to shift funds to provide an extra $1.55 million for aircraft maintenance, air crews and travel in support of an “emerging classified flight mission.” It’s part of a $2.5 billion request this month to “reprogram” funds in the current fiscal year’s budget to programs considered high priorities. “Without additional funding, the Army will not be able to perform this classified mission,” the Defense Department said.
The obvious question is: why does an exercise defending the nation’s capital have to be secret? Isn’t that an invitation to cynicism and suspicion?
Source: Army Lets Slip That It’s Conducting Secret Operation Around D.C. – Bloomberg
