Classified army helicopter mission DC

I think this is an interesting story.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/454201-pentagon-funding-request-reveals-classified-black-hawk-mission-over-dc

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29101/whats-the-deal-with-army-helicopters-flying-a-secret-new-mission-over-the-capital



It could be mundane or something very important.  It is a classified operational deployment (so it's not a training exercise) so I'm surprised this much is actually released.

A few possible ideas or reasons I can think why they would need this aviation unit in DC.

In no particular order;
There is a real risk/need to have fast evacuation capabilities for a lot of VIPs. I know they already have assets for this mission so these additional helicopters are new on top of what is already for that purpose.(10 helicopters might be about the right size for this)

This aviation unit might have high tech sensors either used in data collection or searching for evidence of radiological devices. (I think 10 helicopters would be excessive for this role, more likely 2-4 would be sufficient)

Rapid Military response and moving of resources for an expected/potential attack response or natural disaster.

It doesn't appear to be routine training deployment but I'm not sure if it's a subtle sign something is amiss to be concerned or not

If you read to the end of the article as presented in "The Drive - War Zone, they seem to be more inclined to believe it is movement or evac of VIP's (possibly without the public knowing they are moving them).

The possibility of high tech sensors isn't out of the question, but that would entail specialized support, as would disaster response.

All in all, I would go with them enhancing the ability to move people into and out of the Capitol area without the public knowing who is moving.

As for the reason for 10 helos, I would say that it is to prevent over taxing any particular aircraft. They can only fly so many hours, and then they have to go in for overhaul.

One of my kids lives in the DC area. While I was there for 3 months, there were helicopters flying at all hours of the day and night. I mean, every hour or so, I'd see one, maybe 2-3 from the balcony. I am assuming some are data-collecting or surveillance.

I thought it was interesting enough to share.

It may be a small piece of a puzzle. Who knows.

Of interest:
Washington Post June 2019

The cacophony lasts at least three minutes and repeats over the course of the day. Helicopters fly over Daniel’s home in the morning, about noon, in the evening and again late at night. Monday through Friday. The air traffic was not always this bad, Daniel said. As best she can estimate, it got much worse starting three or four years ago.

She is not alone. Following a sharp spike in complaints from D.C.-area residents about the frequency and severity of helicopter noise, local lawmakers in January asked the Government Accountability Office to study the issue. Earlier this month, the GAO accepted the request and will launch the study this fall.