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FAMS in First-Ever N.Y. Tunnel VIPR Operation

News & Happenings

November 1, 2007

Federal air marshals (FAMs) participated earlier this month in the first-ever joint law enforcement Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) operation at New York City's Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the longest underwater tunnel in the U.S.

Seven hundred cars and trucks came through a vehicle inspection checkpoint and were checked with high-sensitivity personal radiation detectors that monitor for nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices and/or radiological dispersal devices (RDDs or "dirty" bombs).

Some vehicles received a safety and document inspection, while others were given an enhanced inspection that involved checks by a K-9 explosives team, police emergency service unit, and federal air marshals using the SABRE 4000 detector that can identify more than 40 different narcotics, explosives, chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.

The operation demonstrated the ability of N.Y. Field Office FAMs to augment and operate jointly with New York City law enforcement. Also, the operation allowed specially trained FAMs using cutting-edge radiation, explosives and chemical detection equipment to gain valuable experience in a real-world environment.

The New York Police Department's Counter-Terrorism Division, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority participated.