Not to undo any good conspiracy theories …

But those Blackhawk helicopters people are seeing overhead today are part of a training exercise (OR SO THEY SAY). Here’s the press release from the Eugene Police Department:

Multi-Agency Emergency and Disaster Exercise Will Take Place in Eugene Area May 2 and 3. 

This advisory is to let media know in advance of a multi-agency emergency and disaster exercise on May 2 and 3 that might prompt calls from the public. There will be an unusual amount of emergency service vehicles, aircraft and other activity they will see in areas around Eugene, particularly Autzen Stadium, Hayward Field, RiverBend Hospital, Eugene Airport, Howe Field, Alton Baker Park, and the UO Soccer Field. In addition to the general information in this advisory, please refer to the Oregon Military Department’s release, included below.

As part of emergency services and security training for the 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trials to be held in Eugene this June, local emergency responders and other agencies are taking advantage of the opportunity presented by participation in the Oregon National Guard’s Vigilant Guard statewide exercise. The local exercise will be a multi-agency exercise taking place May 2 and 3, that will include aircraft and helicopters near Autzen Stadium and other locations. Commercial flights and general aviation activities at the Eugene Airport will not be impacted by the exercise.

Participating will be Oregon National Guard; State Fire Marshal; local police, fire and emergency medical services; University of Oregon; Eugene Airport; hospitals; city and county agencies; and individuals.  Lessons learned from the exercise will be applicable across a wide variety of mass hazards and casualty scenarios.

Because one of the main goals of the Eugene exercise is to increase security measures prior to the Olympic Track and Field Trials, unfortunately there will not be an opportunities provided for videotaping, beyond what can be seen by the general public.