As hurricane season nears, the New York State Navy Militia and the Westhampton-based Air National Guard 106 Rescue Wing teamed up on Wednesday morning to run rescue drills in Shinnnecock Bay in Hampton Bays.

According to Commander Bill Kepner of the Navy Militia, this is the first time Navy and Air National Guard have joined forces to to train for  water-related emergencies.

Throughout the day, 40 Navy Militia and Air National Guard personnel worked together to simulate several water rescues in the bay using both live people and dummies that the teams "rescued" by boat and helicopter.

The simulation, said Col. Rex Reilly of the 106th Rescue Wing will allow the two groups to improve coordination in the case of an actual emergency.