Federal Air Marshals Department Homeland Security

Introduction The Federal Air Marshals are considered to be one of the Department Homeland Security. Throughout history they have been know for keeping passengers on airliners safe from hijackers. Many how question do we still need air marshals with improved security on aircraft and at airports many question the effectiveness of the air marshals. Even though they go through intensive training they have been involved in some controversies that have put the program under the scope even with their rich tradition on securing the skies.
The History of the Air Marshals In 1961 a man from Miami by the name of Antonio Ramiez Ortiz hijacked a U.S airplane and ordered the aircraft to be landed in Cuba. Within three months of the National Airline being
Even though federal air marshals spend the majority of their time protecting airplanes in the sky, they do spend some time on the ground by working along with TSA officers to keep the screening lines safe since they are armed and TSA officers are not. Since the early 1960s when John F. Kennedy started the first group of air marshals, they have been on domestic and international flights. Air marshals ride in plain sight, wearing regular clothing as other passengers to blend in with the rest of the population. But, they do carry a weapon on board to diffuse any hostile actions that may occur on a flight. They are appropriately trained on how to spot these potentially dangerous situations and how to react appropriately by using the necessary use of force to keep passengers and citizens on the ground safe. Whenever possible, air marshals will ride in first class with the objective of keeping the flight crew informed and to protect the crew in any emergency situations. Being that federal air marshals are under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they spend some time inside airports observing for any suspicious activities. They may provide assistance to other TSA officers at security checkpoints while they carry their weapons in the event they detect terrorist activity and also deterrence. Air marshals job setting are not limited to aircrafts and airports. In 2009, the role of air marshals was expanded as they became part of a joint task force who are called the Visible Intermodal Protection and Response (VIPER). The viper teams usually consist of air marshals, local police officers, K-9s and transportation security inspectors. The viper teams will patrol mass transportation such as both local and passenger rail lines. Federal air marshal’s officials also offer advice to other agencies such as the FBI and CIA about homeland security