Helicopters were practice landing Wednesday afternoon at the old Seahawks field at Northwest University in Kirkland in anticipation of President Obama’s visit to Bellevue on Friday, according to the Secret Service.

“It’s part of an advanced process for his visit to Bellevue,” said Secret Service spokesperson Bob Kierstad, who declined to give further information.

The Reporter received several phone calls and Tweets from residents in the Houghton neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon inquiring about the helicopters.

Kirkland Sgt. Rob Saloum said he didn’t know how many helicopters were landing or whether Obama would be landing in Kirkland on Friday. He said the Secret Service has “so many different contingency plans in case of anything that can occur, such as evacuations, ingress or egress.”

Obama is expected to attend private fund-raising events in Bellevue and Medina on Friday. The private luncheon in Medina will also feature singer Natalie Cole.