Today, 10/19/10, shortly after 8:20 a.m., State Police Troopers from Troop E in Montville responded to Groton-New London Airport after receiving a report from the Connecticut Army National Guard that they had detained three individuals who had approached an area where an Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter was parked at the airport.

Troopers arrived to the airport scene and initiated an investigation which included interviews of the three individuals and to confirm their identification and their country of citizenship, as well as their reason for being in Connecticut.  State Police conferred with the appropriate state and federal agencies to answer all questions regarding these three subjects. 

The area that the three individuals had entered at the airport was in close proximity to their private aircraft and the area is not signed and is not cordoned off from other private aircraft.  Troopers determined through their preliminary investigation that these three detained individuals had arrived at the airport in a private aircraft yesterday and were preparing to leave Connecticut today via that same aircraft. They observed the parked Blackhawk helicopter and they approached it, to examine it. 

The aircraft was secured and at no time was the public at risk during this incident.  At no time was the Blackhawk helicopter at risk, as the aircraft is under constant watch by Army National Guard Officials on site.

The three subjects being detained will be completely investigated before they are allowed to leave Connecticut.  State Police investigation is continuing.

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LT. J. Paul Vance