Thanks, Actually I created this thread some time back but initially there were only couple of stars and flags but no discussion or comments as such (Hmm.. Now that would be some conspiracy ). Anyways I felt a sense of Deja Vu when I read the statement released by the official PR agency and I will quote that statement again :

During NLE 2010, the Ogilvy PR team will develop and implement simulated media responses to the exercise “disasters” that mimic the intensity of media coverage during disaster situations and stress the abilities of top officials’ and public information officers’ to communicate effectively with the public. The team will also play a critical role in helping FEMA manage real-world media coverage of NLE 2010 and ensure Federal and State officials, Members of Congress and international observers gain a better understanding of the exercise through a live and in-person observer program.

In order to open a dialogue about Hawaii’s pandemic preparedness and allocation priorities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is funding an alternate reality game starting in mid-May at CoralCross.org. As part of a larger public engagement initiative that includes community meetings and a live TV panel, the Hawaii State Department of Heath has contracted with the Hawaii Research Center for Future Studies to produce Coral Cross, a “playable scenario” on the island of Oahu. According to Judy Kern at the Communications Office of the Hawaii State Department of Health, the goal of the ARG is to “help encourage public dialogue and elicit input for decision-makers on Hawaii’s pandemic priorities.”

Under the task order, L-3 GS&ES will support the FEMA National Exercise Program and NLE2010 exercise life cycle in the National Capital Region and FEMA Region IX. NLE2010 will involve Federal Departments and Agencies, selected international governments, and selected states in FEMA Regions VIII and IX

National Level Exercise 1-10 and Eagle Horizon 10; May 17-21, 2010: Improvised Nuclear Device-IND and Continuity deployment exercise