Border Protector Michael J. Fisher - KMI Media Group

Robert S. Bray
Q: What is your role in the Transportation Security Administration’s
[TSA] objective to detect, deter and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S.
air carriers, airports, passengers and crews?
A: I became the TSA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Law
Enforcement, director of the Federal Air Marshal Service [FAMS] in June
2008. I began my career with FAMS on May 5, 2003, as the assistant
special agent in charge of the Mission Operations Center at the Federal
Aviation Administration Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J. In November
2003, I was appointed the deputy assistant director for the Office of
Training and Development and subsequently selected as the assistant
director, Office of Security Services and Assessments in March 2006.
My role as director of the FAMS is to direct the strategic deployment
of federal air marshals onboard domestic and international flights as well
as coordinate additional federal air marshal law enforcement duties in
the transportation domain.
As TSA’s assistant administrator, director of the Office of Law
Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service [OLE/FAMS], I take great pride
in supporting our workforce and its ability to effectively provide counterterrorism
and investigative operations throughout the nation. The
men and women of FAMS continually provide support to federal, state
and local law enforcement organizations throughout the world, and are
called upon to assist with incidents of national significance. The dedication,
sacrifice and professionalism of our workforce cannot be overstated.
As an assistant administrator of the TSA, I serve as a senior adviser to
the assistant secretary and deputy administrator on matters affecting the
strategic and operational direction of TSA in all areas of law enforcement
and security operations, programs, policies, infrastructure and internal
processes. I provide advice and direction on department and agency wide
goals and priorities with other TSA senior leadership.
I believe my most important role is providing the FAMS workforce
with the support and leadership necessary to enable every member of our
organization to perform their duties to the optimal level.
Q: Can you provide an overview of some recent successes by TSA’s
FAMS?
A: Today’s FAMS is a highly trained, professional federal law enforcement
organization charged with securing the nation’s civil aviation system
and transportation domain from both criminal and terrorist acts. Under
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act [ATSA] and the Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, TSA has
broad responsibility to enhance security in all modes of transportation
nationwide. Federal air marshals are part of a nationwide transportation
security program that serves all modes of transportation.
Sky marshals, now referred to as federal air marshals, have successfully
completed missions onboard U.S. air carriers since the 1960s.
Currently, federal air marshals operate as the last line of defense in TSA’s
risk-based security approach.
4 | BCD 1.1
LEADERSHIP INSIGHT
Assistant Administrator for Law Enforcement
Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service
Transportation Security Administration
FAMS prides itself on being the sole law enforcement organization
within the United States that is not only dedicated to the safety and
security of the traveling public, but also able to deploy assets domestically
and internationally at a moment’s notice. The extent of federal air
marshal domestic capabilities was evident from our rapid response to
natural disasters including Hurricanes Katrina and Ike. Additionally, our
ability to deploy assets onboard aircraft internationally was proven when
we effectively deployed assets in response to the liquid explosives plot
in August 2006 and the December 25, 2009, failed improvised explosive
device attack onboard NW Flight 253.
Q: Can you elaborate on the training federal air marshals receive as
far as investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition,
firearms proficiency, aircraft specific tactics, and close quarters selfdefense
measures to protect the flying public?
A: Federal air marshals receive approximately 16 weeks of intense
training upon being hired. Federal air marshals attend a Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center [FLETC] basic course, which is a hybrid
of the FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program and the FLETC
Uniformed Police Training Program. Upon successful completion of the
basic course, federal air marshals attend a second phase of training at
the FAMS training center in Atlantic City. During this phase, federal air
marshals receive advanced law enforcement training including behavior
recognition, explosives training, interview techniques, defensive measures
and tactics specific to the transportation domain. Our training also
includes advanced firearms training required as a result of FAMS having
the highest qualification standards within federal law enforcement.
Upon completion of initial training, federal air marshals train regularly
at local field offices and in coordination with federal, state and local
law enforcement partners. Our offices are equipped with modern technology
and aircraft simulators, enabling our personnel to stay up-to-date
on tactics and self-defense measures while working in the unique aircraft
environment. This technology and training enables federal air marshals
to respond to the ongoing threats posed by terrorists.
Q: How do federal air marshals work with other law enforcement
agencies to accomplish their mission?
A: The Federal Air Marshal Service works in cooperation with federal,
state and local law enforcement agencies in various aspects of counterterrorism
to successfully carry out our mission. OLE/FAMS partners with
domestic and international agencies to share and discuss best practices in
training, intelligence gathering and sharing, canine training, technology
and threat assessments. Active participation and partnership with other
law enforcement agencies has proven successful in thwarting criminal
and terroristic behavior. Federal air marshals are embedded in multiple
FBI joint terrorism task forces and are aligned with other federal law
enforcement organizations, including Customs and Border Protection.
www.BCD-kmi.com