“Inside the Secretive World of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team: 50 Years of Defending Against Nuclear Emergencies”
The Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at an aircraft hangar at Joint Base Andrews, just outside of Washington, DC. The group, made up of scientists, federal law enforcement personnel, and regulators, is a secretive team that responds to nuclear incidents. NEST operates like a volunteer fire department, but with high-level security clearances and a focus on nuclear threats.
NEST was created in 1974 after a hoax threat by someone named “Captain Midnight” to set off a nuclear bomb in Boston. Since then, NEST has been involved in various missions, including recovering debris from a crashed Soviet satellite in Canada, responding to the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant meltdown, and assisting in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
NEST’s missions include surveying areas for radioactivity, disarming nuclear weapons, and evaluating terrorist threats involving nuclear material. The group operates helicopters equipped with radiation monitoring equipment, painted in civilian colors to avoid the “black helicopter” stereotype. Scientists like Jacqueline Brandon, a physical chemist, fly in these helicopters to scan for radioactivity during missions.
NEST is constantly monitoring large events like the Super Bowl and political conventions, as well as responding to unexpected calls for assistance. Nuclear materials are more prevalent in daily life than most people realize, used in various industries and medical applications. NEST also responds to incidents involving radioactive materials, such as a recent case where a radioactive puddle was found in a fast food parking lot.
While NEST prepares for worst-case scenarios involving nuclear threats, the group aims to provide reassurance to the public. Deputy Under Secretary Wendin Smith emphasizes the importance of NEST’s existence in helping people feel secure and ensuring public safety. The group’s dedication to readiness and response in the face of nuclear emergencies remains a critical aspect of national security.