The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) is a law enforcement agency of the United States federal government under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The Air Marshal service is meant to promote confidence in civil aviation by effectively deploying Federal Air Marshals (FAM's) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S. air carriers, airports, passengers, and crews. ^[1] FAMs are law enforcement agents of the federal government. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For the band, see The Police. ... This article describes the government of the United States. ... TSA emblem The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a U.S. government agency that was created as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. ... The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), commonly known as Homeland Security, is a Cabinet department of the Federal Government of the United States with the responsibility of protecting the territory of the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters. ... An airline is an organization providing aviation services to passengers and/or cargo. ...

Because of the nature of their occupation, Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) often operate independently without backup. As officers, they are required to maintain one of the highest standards for handgun accuracy. ^[1] A FAM's job is to blend in with other passengers on board aircraft and rely heavily on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public. An FFDO's job is to act as an indistinguishable crewmember, able to act as a last line of defense should anyone try to obtain access to the flight deck. ^[1] A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... This article is becoming very long. ... An assortment of modern hand-held firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), a tactical shotgun (third from bottom), and a sporting rifle (top). ... Self defense refers to actions taken by a person to defend onself, ones property or ones home. ...

History

The Federal Air Marshal Service began in 1968 as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Sky Marshal Program. It was initially composed of 6 volunteers from the FAA's Flight Standards Division who were trained in firearms at Brownsville, Texas. Later, it became an integral part of the Civil Aviation Security Division of the FAA and was expanded using volunteers from that division. These personnel were given firearms and some close combat training at the FBI Academy located on the US Marine Corps training grounds at Quantico, VA. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan requested the expansion of the program and Congress enacted the International Security and Development Cooperation Act, which expanded the statutes that supported the Federal Air Marshal Service. Contrary to the impression given in the TSA Our Mission statement, the FAM program was begun in response to domestic hijackings and FAM operational flights were almost exclusively conducted on domestic US flights until 1985. After the TWA incident in 1985 and the enactment of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act the number of FAMs was increased and their focus became international US Air Carrier operations. Due to resistance of several countries e.g., the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany to having individuals carrying firearms entering their countries the coverage of international flight operations was initially spotty. As resistance to the entrance of armed personnel to their countries was overcome through bilateral negotiations and agreements reached as to the terms and handling of the weapons when they were brought in country, the FAMs were able to operate worldwide in carrying out their mission to protect US aviation from hijackings. Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1968 Gregorian calendar. ... “FAA” redirects here. ... Sky marshal (also known as air marshal or flight marshal) is a popular term for an undercover armed guard on board a commercial aircraft, to counter aircraft hijackings (skyjackings). Many carriers are known to have sky marshals on board on selected flights, for example, Swiss (since 1970; formerly Swissair), El... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981 – 1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967 – 1975). ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups (as of November 7, 2006 elections) Democratic Party Republican...

Air Marshals were originally designated as US Customs Security Officers assigned by order of President John F. Kennedy on an as-needed basis, and later were specially trained FAA personnel [1]. Also contrary to the impression from the TSA Our Mission statement, the Customs Officers were phased out in 1971-1972. Many of them transferred to the FAA Civil Aviation Security Division to serve as Aviation Security Inspectors and also in the volunteer FAM program directed by the FAA's Civil Aviation Security Division. The United States Customs Service (now the United States Customs and Border Protection Service or CBP) was the portion of the US Federal Government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of US borders. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...

Prior to September 11, 2001, the Federal Air Marshal Service consisted of varying numbers of FAMs depending upon the perceived threat and funding availability. Only 33 FAMs were active on 09/11/01.^[2] As a result of the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush ordered the rapid expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Many new hires were agents from other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General (OIG),Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and many, many others [2]. A classified number of applicants were hired, trained, and deployed on flights around the world. As of August, 2006, this number is estimated to be in the thousands.^[3] Currently, these FAMs serve as the primary law enforcement entity within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... The United States Customs Service (now part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP) was the portion of the US Federal Government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of US borders. ... The DEAs enforcement activities may take agents anywhere from distant countries to suburban U.S. homes. ... The United States Postal Inspection Service (or USPIS) is the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... TSA emblem The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a U.S. government agency that was created as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. ...

On October 16, 2005 Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff officially approved the transfer of the Federal Air Marshal Service from the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to TSA as part of a broader departmental reorganization to align functions consistent with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "Second Stage Review" findings for: October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. ... Michael Chertoff (born November 28, 1953) is the current United States Secretary of Homeland Security. ... The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), commonly known as Homeland Security, is a Cabinet department of the Federal Government of the United States with the responsibility of protecting the territory of the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters. ...

1. consolidating and strengthening aviation law enforcement and security at the Federal level;
2. creating a common approach to stakeholder outreach; and
3. improving the coordination and efficiency of aviation security operations.

As part of this realignment, the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service also became the Assistant Administrator for the TSA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), which houses nearly all TSA law enforcement services. This integration of TSA law enforcement functions focuses resources on homeland security priorities and strengthens the synergies of core TSA missions.^[buzzwords]

Securing Other Modes of Transportation

TSA is expanding the use of Federal Air Marshals within the entire public transit sector. In a pilot program announced in December 2005, the TSA stated they will implement a program to have air marshals cover buses, light rail, passenger rail systems and ferries across the country.^[4]

In March 2007, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that air marshals (along with other federal agents) would begin patrolling its commuter rail lines.^[5] Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the name of a governmental or quasi-governmental body in each of several areas: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Boston Massachusetts, now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority — Boston, Massachusetts Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority — Los Angeles County, California Metropolitan Transportation Authority — New York... A Connex commuter train stands by the platform in Melbourne, Australia Regional rail systems, or commuter rail systems, usually provide a rail service through a central business district area into suburbs or other locations that draw large numbers of people on a daily basis. ...

Organization

• Assistant Administrator TSA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE)/Director of FAMS: Dana A. Brown
• Deputy Assistant Administrator TSA OLE/Deputy Director of FAMS
• Assistant Director, Office of Field Operations
  • Deputy Assistant Director, Eastern Region (11 Field Offices)
  • Deputy Assistant Director, Western Region (10 Field Offices)
• Assistant Director, Office of Flight Operations
  • Transportation Security Operations Center
  • Systems Operations Control Division/FAMS Mission Operations Center
  • Investigations Division
  • Liaison Division
  • Flight Programs Division
  • Emergency Preparedness Division
• Assistant Director, Office of Personnel & Training
  • Training Management Division
  • Federal Air Marshal Training Center (New Jersey & New Mexico)
• Assistant Director, Office of Security Services & Assessments
  • Office of Security
  • Office of the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program
  • Security Assessments Division
  • Explosives Division
• Assistant Director, Office of Administrative & Technical Services
  • Human Resources Division
  • Management & Organization Division
  • Management Operations Division
  • Operational Procedures Division
  • Infrastructure Support & Development Division

Training

Federal Air Marshals go through an intense, two-phase training program. The first phase of the program is a seven-week basic law enforcement course. This training is completed at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico; Air Marshals also receive follow-on training at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey. Their training is tailored to the role that the Federal Air Marshals will be performing while on the job. Some of the specific areas covered in this training include constitutional law, marksmanship, physical fitness, behavioral observation, defensive tactics, emergency medical assistance, and other law enforcement techniques. Location in the State of New Mexico Coordinates: Country United States State New Mexico County Eddy Founded 1905 Mayor Manuel Madrid Area    - City 20. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ...

The second phase trains the candidates for tasks that they will be expected to carry out in the field. This training places an emphasis on perfecting the marksmanship skills of the candidates; a necessity of the job due to the tight confines of an aircraft, as well as the number of bystanders. Candidates who successfully complete this training will be assigned to one of 21 field offices, where they will begin their missions. Shooting is the act of causing a gun to fire at a target. ...

Equipment and Practices

The Air Marshals may be deployed on as little as an hour's notice and at high risk locations.^[2] Undercover Air Marshals were deployed on flights in and out of New Orleans during Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002; flights coming near Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympics; and cities visited by President George W. Bush. ^[6] New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... Date February 3, 2002 Stadium Louisiana Superdome City New Orleans, Louisiana MVP Tom Brady, Quarterback (New England) Favorite Rams by 14 National anthem Mariah Carey Coin toss George H. W. Bush and Roger Staubach Referee Bernie Kukar Halftime show U2 Attendance 72,922 TV in the United States Network FOX... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were held in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...

Air Marshals used to board the aircraft before other passengers to scan the aircraft for weapons and explosives. they now board along with other passengers to blend in. Federal Air Marshals carry the SIG-Sauer P229 service pistol in a .357 SIG chambering.[3] Each magazine of the pistol carries 12 rounds. As noted above, Air Marshals must be re-certified on their firearm quarterly. According to an anonymous Air Marshal, they are trained to "shoot to stop", typically firing at the largest part of the body (the chest) and then the head to "incapacitate the nervous system".^[7] The Sig P229 is a compact firearm, perfect for concealed carry, the standard version features a DA/SA trigger, but it is available also with a DAO trigger. ... The 357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Under the service's original dress code policy, Air Marshals were required to conform to a strict dress code, well-shaved and with a conservative haircut. Federal Air Marshal Frank Terreri of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) successfully sued senior executives of the Department of Homeland Security complaining that policies prevented Air Marshals from speaking out that current policies such as their strict dress code, "Federal Air Marshal discount" mandatory grouping hotel policy, airport policies that force Air Marshals to walk up security checkpoint exit lanes, and priority aircraft pre-boarding before handicapped passengers and passengers flying with small children make Marshals easy targets for any possible hijackers, making them stand out as the government agents concealing firearms, and thus eliminating their effectiveness.^[8] A policy change in August, 2006 allows Air Marshals to wear whatever clothing they want and stay at any hotel to protect their anonymity^[9], but current Director Dana A. Brown continues to enforce the policies that mandate FAMs to both walk through security checkpoint exit lanes and pre-board aircraft in full view of general passengers in the terminal.^[10] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

FAMS under Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Budgeting issues within the TSA created tension between funding for airport screeners versus the FAMS, and in time the FAMS was realigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The reasoning was that the FAMS could be re-designated as Criminal Investigator/Special Agents and would have a career path. ICE also had an investigative division with Special Agents specializing in investigating immigration and customs violations. Those immigration and customs agents would be cross trained to serve as supplemental FAMS in the event of a national emergency or in response to intelligence requiring additional marshals on flights. Pilatus PC-12 aircraft of the ICE The United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities in the nations border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. ... Special Agent may refer to: // In the United States Government Any civilian (i. ...

Ultimately, one of Asa Hutchinson's final decisions before resigning as head of DHS's Border and Transportation Security Directorate was the issuance of a memorandum determining that Air Marshals would not also be ICE Special Agents. In 2005, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff conducted a second-stage review of DHS' organization and ordered the FAMS to be moved from ICE and back to the TSA. The move to TSA was effective October 1, 2005 [4]. Asa Hutchinson Asa Hutchinson (born December 3, 1950) is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, U.S. Congressman from the Third District of Arkansas, Director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the first-ever Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland... A memorandum or memo is a written form of communication most often employed in business environments. ... The United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. ... Michael Chertoff (born November 28, 1953) is the current United States Secretary of Homeland Security. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Incident involving Rigoberto Alpizar

Main article: Rigoberto Alpizar

On December 7, 2005 Federal Air Marshals shot and killed 44-year-old U.S. citizen Rigoberto Alpizar, a passenger of American Airlines Flight 924, on a boarding bridge at Miami International Airport.^[6] Rigoberto Alpizar (April 17, 1961–December 7, 2005) was a Costa Rican-born United States citizen who was fatally shot at Miami International Airport by two United States federal air marshals. ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The word citizen may refer to: A person with a citizenship Citizen Watch Co. ... Rigoberto Alpizar (April 17, 1961–December 7, 2005) was a Costa Rican-born United States citizen who was fatally shot at Miami International Airport by two United States federal air marshals. ... Passengers of Flight 924 exiting the plane on December 7, 2005 while it is on the ground at Miami International Airport. ... Destinations with direct service from Miami Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA, FAA LID: MIA) is a public airport located eight miles (13 km) northwest of the central business district of Miami, in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. ...

According to initial media reports of the incident, a fight broke out between Alpizar and his wife, ^[11] after which Alpizar suddenly ran up the aisle from the back of the plane. Lonny Glover, national safety coordinator for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said: "As the man came forward it was obvious that he was upset ... That's when one of our attendants at the front of plane told him, 'Sir, you can't leave the plane.' His response, she said, was 'I have a bomb.' It was at that point that the air marshals gave up their cover and pursued him out the door and up the jet bridge."^[7] The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is the largest independent flight attendant union in the United States representing the U.S.-based flight attendants of American Airlines. ...

On December 8, 2005, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said that the President was satisfied that air marshals acted appropriately in the Alpizar shooting. December 8 is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... Scott McClellan in the press room of the White House Puffy McMoonface (born February 14, 1968) was the White House Press Secretary (2003-2006) for President George W. Bush. ...

Sensitive Security Information (SSI)

Sensitive Security Information (SSI) is a label used for unclassified information that could compromise aviation safety. ^[12] In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in the United States to take responsibility for the security of all modes of public transportation. ...

On July 29, 2003, the FAMS Agency Executive Vice President for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), FAM Robert MacLean, disclosed that the FAMS planned to remove air marshals from long haul flights in order to avoid the cost of an overnight hotel stay. ^[13] The plan was ordered when TSA was faced with a budget shortfall and right after DHS issued a July 26, 2003 warning that terrorists were planning to smuggle weapons onboard aircraft leaving the U.S. east coast, United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia and hijack them. After Congressional outrage, the plan was canceled before going into effect. This plan was at odds with the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), whose Section 105 states that "Deployment of Federal Air Marshals... [on] nonstop, long distance flights, such as those targeted on September 11, 2001, should be a priority." ^[14] // In summer 2003, while a U.S. Federal Air Marshal, Robert MacLean tried to blow the whistle within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on a plan to reduce air marshal coverage of high-risk flights amidst heightened warnings based on intelligence that terrorists were planning on hijacking planes[1... The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) was written into law by the 107th US Congress in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. ...

MacLean was fired for "Unauthorized Disclosure of Sensitive Security Information (SSI)" as a result of his whistleblower disclosure. ^[15] He is challenging this charge in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He claims that his termination was a retaliatory act in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) ^[16]and a spending ban in appropriations law, commonly known as the Anti-Gag Statute. This page is a candidate to be copied to Wikisource If the page can be edited into an encyclopedic article, rather than merely a copy of the source text, please do so and remove this message. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 29 is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ...

See also

• Aircraft hijacking
• Airport security
• Sky marshal
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Hijackers inside flightdeck of TWA Flight 847 Aircraft hijacking (also known as skyjacking and aircraft piracy) is the take-over of an aircraft, by a person or group, usually armed. ... Baggage is scanned using X-ray machines, passengers walk through metal detectors Baggage sreening monitoring at VTBS Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and by extension aircraft from crime and terrorism. ... Sky marshal (also known as air marshal or flight marshal) is a popular term for an undercover armed guard on board a commercial aircraft, to counter aircraft hijackings (skyjackings). Many carriers are known to have sky marshals on board on selected flights, for example, Swiss (since 1970; formerly Swissair), El... Pilatus PC-12 aircraft of the ICE The United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities in the nations border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. ...

External links

• Transportation Security Administration Website
  • TSA Office of Law Enforcement/FAMS Website
• Federal Air Marshal News Archives & Links