NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (Tribune News Service) — The New York Naval Militia and New York National Guard members conducted emergency response exercises Thursday on the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, alongside the Coast Guard and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

On Thursday, four New York State Police divers jumped from a State Police helicopter into the lower Niagara River just off of Fort Niagara. The exercise was an alternative method of deploying divers into the water for the purpose of recovering people or evidence from the water.

The two days of exercises, named “Empire Challenge” were centered on Coast Guard Station Niagara and Fort Niagara State Park.

The New York Naval Militia was also planning to conduct drone operations during the training. Unmanned aerial systems, or drones, will be launched on reconnaissance missions.

“Exercise Empire Challenge, is primarily an emergency communications event,” said Capt. Don McKnight, the commander of the Naval Militia’s Military Emergency Boat Service. earlier this week.

“The exercise allows us to test new capabilities and functions alongside our many law enforcement and first responder partners,” he added.

The New York Naval Militia is a 3,200- member force of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard reservists who also volunteer to serve in the state force. The Naval Milita operates a fleet of 11 patrol boats in the Military Emergency Boat Service.

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