By A.J. Panian
Tribune-Review

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity will be the site of an emergency response training exercise.

"Operation Terminal Stinger" is scheduled for June 6 and 7 at the facility near Latrobe. The exercise is required by the Federal Aviation Administration and will feature a scenario in which a terrorist cell will down an aircraft with a shoulder-fired missile.

The drill will involve various equipment and about 150 volunteers from more than 40 local, county, state and federal aviation, emergency response and law enforcement agencies. It is being coordinated by the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety and the Region 13 Task Force.

"Due to the high visibility of the training exercise, we are asking that the public be informed and aware that any activities or events they may witness on or around the airport on those dates are purely stated dramatizations, not real emergencies," said Dwayne Pickels, Westmoreland County Airport Authority spokesman.

Pickels also stressed that the airport will remain open and all terminal and flight operations will continue throughout the exercise.

The exercise will begin with a media event to be held at 4 p.m. June 6. Drill exercises will begin at 7:30 a.m. June 7.

The event is funded through the Region 13 Task Force with U.S. Department of Homeland Security training grant money and fully complies with the requirements of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program.

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