In a high-stakes national security drill, the U.S. demonstrated its ability to track down nuclear event perpetrators through the Prominent Hunt exercise, held from Jan. 26-31, 2025, in Schenectady, N.Y. Led by the FBI, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the operation showcased the nation’s nuclear forensic capabilities.
The National Technical Nuclear Forensics Ground Collection Task Force, including the Army’s 20th CBRNE Command and the Air Force Technical Application Center, simulated post-detonation evidence collection. Their mission: analyze radioactive debris to trace its origin and identify the responsible party.
“The exercise reinforces not just technical expertise but also interagency collaboration,” said Susan Ferensic, assistant director of the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. By examining radiological fingerprints—unique markers in nuclear material—the U.S. can pinpoint its source, deterring adversaries who might attempt to evade accountability.
DOD’s Brian Kohler emphasized the exercise’s role in nuclear deterrence, ensuring that any bad actor, whether a state or terrorist group, is held fully accountable.
With another Prominent Hunt scheduled for August, the U.S. continues refining its forensic precision, sending a clear message: if a nuclear attack occurs, the perpetrators will be found, exposed, and brought to justice.
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