[FedCom] Air Marshals Communications & Procedures

[Signal500 at aol.com]

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Federal Air Marshals Service 
do have communications with each other while on the plane and to their offices. 
 They do not use Nextel or any other public communications / cellular 
company, they have their own worldwide communications network.  They do not have a 
"central dispatch office". They are part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force 
located in Washington, DC.  The Mission of the Federal Air Marshal Service is to be 
responsible for and protect air security and promote public confidence in our 
nation's civil aviation system through the effective deployment of Federal 
Air Marshals in order to detect, deter and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S. 
air carriers, airports, passengers and crews. They must make split-second, 
life-and-death decisions at 30,000 feet or on the ground without backup. They rely 
on their instincts and stringent training to protect hundreds of lives. They 
blend in with passengers while remaining aware and vigilant.  Federal Air 
Marshals receive training at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic 
City, New Jersey. The stringent training program includes behavioral observation, 
intimidation tactics and close quarters self-defense. In addition, Federal 
Air Marshals are held to a higher standard for handgun accuracy than officers of 
any other federal law enforcement agency.  If someone says they have a bomb, 
the Federal Air Marshals have to take that threat seriously whether the person 
is mentally ill or not.  What would be the story today if the plane had blown 
up?

Signal500