Border Protector Michael J. Fisher - KMI Media Group

years as a result of recommendations by the White House Commission
on Aviation Safety and Security, the Security Baseline Working Group
of the Aviation Security Advisory committee, and the events of September
11, 2001. The program is the largest explosives detection canine
program in the federal government.
TSA’s VIPR teams utilize preventative radiological nuclear detection
[PRND] equipment to protect the public throughout the transportation
domain. PRND equipment is used to detect gamma and neutron
radiation in radioactive material. PRND tools are deployed to all VIPR
teams for use in exercises and operations nationwide. The radioisotope
identifier [RIID] utilized by the VIPR teams identifies specific radio
nuclides present in radioactive material. RIID transfers radionuclide
information to offsite technical experts to assist in adjudication. The
technical expertise and support is provided by Customs and Border
Protection’s Laboratories and Scientific Service.
Q: Can you describe some of the challenges faced by TSA’s law
enforcement?
A: TSA’s Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service confronts
new challenges daily. Terrorists continue to evolve and improve
their use of technology, tactics and strategies, as recently noted by the
failed attempt to modify an explosive device placed in underwear. In an
effort to combat new and emerging threats, the law enforcement and
intelligence communities must closely coordinate in order to stay a
step ahead of our adversaries. OLE/FAMS utilizes information from its
law enforcement partners and the intelligence community, via TSA’s
Office of Intelligence and FAMS’ own Information Coordination Section,
to ensure current and relevant intelligence is communicated and
discussed prior to operational missions. Intelligence and law enforcement
information gathered is closely reviewed and tactics and mission
scheduling are reviewed, modified and executed to enhance the effectiveness
and success of federal air marshals onboard aircraft.
Expert intelligence analysis and proper training allow FAMS to
have the greatest impact securing our nation’s transportation domain,
despite having limited resources.
Q: How do you foresee the law enforcement programs expanding over
the next five years?
A: The federal government faces a unique challenge with respect to
managing resources within today’s economic environment. However,
in fiscal year 2011, FAMS received a budget increase of approximately
$100 million to hire several hundred more federal air marshals. This
hiring initiative allowed us to enhance mission coverage and confirmed
the important role FAMS plays in securing the nation’s transportation
domain. I believe it is also an indication that our dedicated, professional
workforce is well respected and a necessary element ensuring the safety
of the traveling public.
Additionally, Congress recently approved funding for several additional
VIPR teams for some of our field offices. Though it has become
evident that terrorists remain intent on attacking aircraft, I believe the
enhancements to our VIPR program indicate that, as an organization,
efforts to detect, deter and defeat terrorist activities cannot be onedimensional.
I believe our law enforcement role within the transportation
domain will continue to utilize resources as effectively as possible
and remain flexible and adapt to any threat.
Q: How are federal air marshals equipped to protect the flying public?
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A: Federal air marshals are law enforcement professionals, continuously
trained to protect not only the flying public, but those within all
modes of transportation. It should not be forgotten, that in addition to
federal air marshals, TSA employs approximately 50,000 transportation
security officers, 2,800 behavior detection officers, more than 460
bomb appraisal officers and thousands of federal flight deck officers
[FFDOs]. This multi-layered approach to security ensures the greatest
protection to the traveling public.
The FFDO program is run exclusively by FAMS. Pilots who participate
in the FFDO program do so strictly on a volunteer basis. Under the
FFDO program, eligible flight crewmembers are authorized by TSA to
use firearms to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy,
in which an attempt is made to gain control of the aircraft. A flight
crewmember may be a pilot, flight engineer or navigator assigned to
the flight.
In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed into legislation
expanded program eligibility to include cargo pilots and certain
other flight crewmembers. In February 2004, TSA began accepting
applications online from cargo pilots and conducted a prototype class
in April 2004. This followed a similar process used to establish the
FFDO program for commercial passenger airline pilots.
FFDOs are trained in use of firearms, use of force, legal issues,
defensive tactics, the psychology of survival and program standard
operating procedures. FFDO training is conducted in state-ofthe-art
facilities at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
facility in Artesia, N.M. The training program is approximately 54
hours in length and is taught over a six-day period. At the completion
of training, FFDOs are issued a TSA firearm and FFDO
credentials.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say that I have not
asked?
A: The Federal Air Marshal Service has existed in its current state
since shortly after September 11, 2001. Our employees are the most
dedicated professionals I have ever worked with, who perform a difficult
mission. When you think of FAMS, you think of the men and women
operating in a semi-covert capacity onboard aircraft throughout the
world. We recognize that the job these men and women do is the
lifeblood of this organization and work to support them in every facet
possible.
Additionally, as with any organization, there are individuals behind
the scenes that help to make the mission a success. Our mission support
personnel are some of our most valuable assets. Without their
assistance, we would cease to function as an effective organization and
could not be successful in protecting the traveling public.
Furthermore, the relationships that we have established with airline
and airport stakeholders, as well as countless other transportation
security partners, both domestically and internationally, have been
instrumental in accomplishing our mission. Our partners play an integral
role in securing the safety of the traveling public. Their experience
is valued and respected and cannot be replaced.
I should conclude by reiterating that the role of federal air marshals
is one of many layers within TSA’s risk-based security program. We
operate in conjunction with thousands of TSA employees, dedicated
and charged with the mission of protecting the traveling public. Like
a chain, any weak link can potentially lead to a break and threaten the
safety and security of the traveling public. We work together to ensure
all links are secure and reinforced. O
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