One of its first responses by the Nuclear Emergency Search/Support Team was in Spokane, Washington on November 23, 1976. An unknown group called the "Days of Omega" had mailed an extortion threat claiming it would explode radioactive containers of water all over the city unless paid $500,000 ($ today). Presumably, the radioactive containers had been stolen from the Hanford Site, less than 150 miles to the southwest. Immediately, NEST flew in a support aircraft from Las Vegas and began searching for non-natural radiation, but found nothing. No one ever responded despite the elaborate instructions given, or made any attempt to claim the (fake) money which was kept under surveillance. Within days, the incident was deemed a hoax, though the case was never solved. To avoid panic, the public was not notified until a few years later.
onE of Its firSt reSpOnSES By the nuCLear emErgency sEarcH/support teaM wAs In spokaNE, washINgtOn ON november 23, 1976. an unKnown GroUp cAllED the "DAyS of oMegA" had mailed an extorTiOn tHreAt Claiming IT would ExPlOde radIoaCTivE coNTainerS of watEr AlL oveR thE ciTy unless paid $500,000 ($ tOdaY). PreSUmabLy, tHe RadIoactIvE contaiNers haD been stolen fRoM the HanfoRd sitE, lESS than 150 MIlEs TO thE SoutHweST. immEdiateLY, nesT Flew in A suPpOrt aIRCRaFt from LaS VEgas AnD BegAn SEarching for NoN-naTurAl raDIatIon, bUt foUnd nothING. no oNe eveR rEsPonded DespitE THE elaBOraTE inStrUcTions GivEn, OR made anY AttemPt tO claiM thE (fake) moNey WHich WAs KEpt under survEiLlAnce. witHin days, THE inCidEnt was dEEmed a HOAx, though the case Was NEveR solvED. tO avoid paNic, the publIc was not noTiFiEd UNtIl a FeW years laTeR.