NEW YORK (April 25, 2008) — U.S. Marines will be conducting helicopter raid demonstrations to the public throughout New York City May 22-27 as part of Fleet Week 2008.

The events will take place at the following locations and times:

• Thursday, May 22
  Cunningham Park, Queens (9-11 a.m.)
  Prospect Park, Brooklyn (2-4 p.m.)
• Friday, May 23
  Tottenville High School, Staten Island (9-11 a.m.)
  Orchard Park, Bronx (3-5 p.m.)
•  Saturday, May 24
  Eisenhower Park, Long Island (10 a.m. to noon)
  Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island (3-5 p.m.)
•  Sunday, May 25
  Playland Park, Rye, Westchester County (2-4 p.m.)
• Tuesday, May 27
  Freeport High School, Long Island (9-11 a.m.)
  Westbury High School, Long Island (2-4 p.m.)

The demonstrations will consist of the following Marine helicopters: an AH-1W Cobra, a UH-1N or a CH-46E Sea Knight, respectively, performing an area sweep of the landing zone.

Once the helicopters have performed the sweep, Marines will slide down ropes from the helicopter and secure the landing zone by positioning themselves on the boundaries of the perimeter and sighting in with their weapons in case of any potential danger.

After the demonstration, the helicopters will land and be available for public display along with the weapons typically used by a Marine Corps rifle platoon.

Marines supporting the event are part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force from 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune, N.C.