Where We Stand
TSA Trains Hard for New Threats
IED Training
Several events in recent history such as 9/11 and the attempted shoe-bombing of American Airlines Flight 63 have shaped the way individuals conduct their travels. As improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, continue to be of concern to aviation security, we understand the need for its screening workforce to maintain proficiency in identifying the components that make up these devices. As such, our Operational and Technical Training Division has adopted several training measures to ensure the traveling public reaches their destination as safely as possible.
In addition to deploying technology to enhance the security of the traveling public, our Transportation Security Officers undergo some of the world’s most intensive IED training, developed in consultation with explosive experts, to understand the nature of explosives and detect even the most cleverly conceived devices.
This training consists of two specific programs designed to identify anomalies and enhance detection of liquid explosives and other emerging threats.
Frontline IED Training
Currently, over 41,000 of our Security Officers have received extensive classroom, checkpoint and computer-based IED recurrent training.
These practical exercises further enhance our ability to carefully scrutinize the images which appear on the x-ray machines in order to recognize IED components that are artfully concealed or disguised as innocuous items, such as gels, shampoos, toothpaste, and shaving cream within bottles and containers.
Most importantly, this training is flexible and can be updated to respond to any new potential threat against the nation’s transportation systems.
TSA is also deploying special bomb simulation kits for recurrent training purposes at all airport checkpoints. These kits are designed with the objective of having our Security Officers “think like a terrorist,” by creatively constructing and concealing simulated explosive components and materials, and attempting to get them through the checkpoints.
Threat in the Spotlight.
In April 2005, TSA implemented a new monthly IED training requirement called Threat in the Spotlight. This training focuses on one particular threat for which our Security Officers receive hands-on introductions to explosive items, such as liquids or gels.
Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT)
The SPOT program utilizes behavior observation and analysis techniques to identify potentially high-risk passengers. Individuals that exhibit suspicious behaviors, such as physical and physiological reactions, may be required to undergo additional screening.
The SPOT program serves as additional layer of security and is highly beneficial to all modes of transportation security in that it maximizes the effectiveness of TSOs already deployed, and requires no additional specialized screening equipment.
The SPOT program has been deployed to an initial number of airports. A nationwide rollout is planned for the near future.
Covert Testing
We continuously test airport checkpoint and baggage screening systems to ensure that the screening process is performing to expected levels.
We probe the system to identify unforeseen vulnerabilities so that new and ever-changing countermeasures can be designed and implemented.
Through the continuous, cyclical process of employing these testing techniques, analyzing intelligence information, and delivering a fresh and robust training program, We are confident that our layers of security are strong, adaptive and highly effective at deterring and stopping a potential attacker.
