Super Bowl security at an all-time high over fears of ISIS drone attack on US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
THE largest security operation in US sporting history surrounds the Super Bowl - amid fears it may be targeted by a "lone wolf" ISIS attacker piloting a drone.
Terror experts from Homeland Security have a Special Response Team on the ground in and around the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis where the big game will be played in the early hours.
The clash - between between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles - has been classified as having the "highest threat" to public safety by the US Government.
The high alert comes as it is revealed the city's St Paul area has been home to the third highest number of terror prosecutions in the States since 9/11.
ISIS has continually called for attacks on high-profile sporting events which attract huge crowds - like the Super Bowl.
The FBI’s Joe Rivers, in charge of terrorism investigations in Minneapolis, revealed his fears of a so-called lone wolf attack.
“I think we're more worried about the fact that an individual is inspired to potentially do something,” said Rivers, “and that they find the means and the mechanisms to go ahead and do that either on their own or with very little help.”
The FBI says it has brought in 200 extra agents who are a part of 1,000 federal agents from multiple agencies composing the largest deployment in Super Bowl history.
Minneapolis and other nearby police departments will add nearly 1,000 extra officers, for a total uniformed presence of 2,000.
The game also features half-time performances by Justin Timberlake and Pink at the sporting venue, which holds nearly 67,000 people.
Six Black Hawk helicopters have been spotted in the skies of Minneapolis ahead of the NFL's showpiece game.
The choppers, run by the border patrol agency, are tasked with "preventing any attacks from the air."
Vast resources have been deployed to identify, track, and intercept unmanned aircraft deemed a threat, but drones “continue to provide a significant challenge to special event security in the US,” revealed a Department of Homeland Security official,.
The helicopters and jet fighters equipped with infrared cameras will force down any aircraft that enters the 30 mile no-fly zone.
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The Super Bowl is categorised by the Department of Homeland Security as a level one special event, meaning it has the highest threat to public safety.
There are armoured National Guard Humvees and barriers to protect pedestrians from vehicle attacks.
Every car and truck entering the secured zone is X-rayed for explosives and chemical weapons.
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said: "We really need to make sure that as a symbol of our freedom for Americans to get together and enjoy their pastimes we have to make sure that their safety is first and foremost."