Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson Remarks at the Federal Air Marshal Commencement Ceremony

Release Date: 07/02/04 00:00:00

Atlantic City, N.J.
FAMS Training Center
July 2, 2004
(Remarks as Prepared)

Good afternoon!  Thank you, Special Agent Clark, Director Quinn, and Congressman Lobiondo.   It is great to be in Atlantic City, and great to be with the final graduating class of the Federal Air Marshal Phase Two training program.

Let me be the first to congratulate you on your remarkable achievement.  

I say remarkable because I’ve seen your training schedule:  150 hours of specialized coursework and 20 required classes, from physical training to advanced surveillance to hijacking prevention.  

That is in addition to the seven weeks of basic training under Phase One.   I bet you’re glad there isn’t a Phase Three.

I also understand that you have the highest standards of any law enforcement agency for weapons accuracy.  Today you join a very elite class of law enforcement professionals: highly-skilled, expertly-trained and fully prepared to address the difficult demands of security in a unique environment – above the clouds.

Protecting our aircraft, its passengers, and the flight crews from terrorist threats is critically important to the security of our national aviation system and critical to building, and maintaining, public confidence in air travel.

The role of the FAMS has never been more important that it is today.  We are in the midst of the busiest summer travel season since September 11th, 2001, with passenger loads expected to exceed pre-9-11 levels for the first time this year.  

America is flying again.  And they are flying because of confidence in the security that Air Marshals in large part have provided.

Like many law enforcement agencies, the FAMS experienced a transformation after September 11. But it was not the first time you adjusted to a new threat.  

In the 1970s, you protected our skies from the threat of hijacking.  In the 1980s, President Reagan expanded your role and Congress solidified your status.

After the events of September 11th our nation once again turned to you.  President Bush expanded the Federal Air Marshal Service from just 33 Air Marshals to the thousands that are protecting our skies today.  Eager to join your ranks, more than 200,000 individuals submitted applications to become FAMS in the days after the attacks.

You quickly found a new home in the fledgling Transportation Security Administration –the first agency created after 9-11 with the specific purpose of protecting America’s transportation systems.  

Those early start-up days were difficult and uncertain times, compounded by the ongoing threat to our country and our aviation system.   But the FAMS persevered, and helped to get our airplanes back in the skies.  And for that our country is grateful.

The Department of Homeland Security recognized your importance, your diverse talents, and your unique needs. We listened to your concerns, and we supported your move to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It provided you with more flexibility and greater law enforcement resources, including increased access to intelligence, better coordination with other agencies, a broader career path, and affiliation with thousands of other professional law enforcement agents.  

It also provided the Department with an important surge capability by cross training FAMS with other ICE agents and it allowed for a force multiplier program.

I think we are stronger because of those changes.  But there are still many challenges ahead.  We know the war on terror will be a long struggle – lasting a decade, if not a generation.    As President Bush has said, “The advance of freedom is the calling of our time.”

Let me assure you that the Department of Homeland Security stands committed to supporting the FAMS in your next phase of development.

That commitment is reflected in the budget support for the FAMS since 9-11 – totaling $1.6 billion, including a 23 percent increase in funding from 2003 to 2004.  

We also appreciate Congressional support for the FAMS in 2005, which will supplement the $613 million appropriation requested by the Department.

There will always be a finite amount of resources.  It is our responsibility to maximize those resources through intelligence-based targeting, continued use of other trained law enforcement to supplement our efforts, and superior training.

Your work with the international community is also essential.  The world has taken notice of the FAMS.  Since January of this year, 23 countries have requested air marshal training.  

An additional 26 countries have indicated an interest, or are in some stage of development of an air marshal program.  This is largely in response to the efforts of the FAMS during the past holiday season and our security directive that increased the likelihood that Air Marshals could be required on foreign carriers.

Those international partnerships are critical to the war on terror and critical to the protection of the aviation system.

This morning, I had the privilege of attending a naturalization ceremony and giving the oath of allegiance to a new wave of American citizens, which included immigrants from 52 different countries.  

More than 16,000 immigrants will take that oath this 4th of July weekend.  In doing so, they will swear to “support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies.”

You will take an even more demanding set of responsibilities as Air Marshals.  

On September 11th, 2001 our enemies revealed themselves to us as never before. They flew no flag. They wore no uniform. They proclaimed no citizenship.

They also exploited our aviation system.  We vowed never again to let this happen to America.  And the FAMS shoulder an important part of that responsibility.

There is no greater service to one’s country than the protection of its citizens.  Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and continued vigilance.  And congratulations on your achievement today.

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