Are air marshals flying in Australia now?

The first group of Australian Air Security Officers completed their training in December and are now operating on flights within Australia.

It is expected that by the middle of 2002 a total of 111 Air Security Officers will have completed their training and be operating on Australian registered domestic and international flights.

What involvement does the aviation industry have in the air marshals program?

Throughout the development and implementation of the Air Security Officers program, the government has consulted with and sought cooperation from a wide range of interested and involved parties, including state and territory law enforcement agencies, airlines and other aviation industry representatives, union and staff organisations.

notice that the traveling public, the passengers, were not consulted.

To introduce the program, many issues needed to be addressed by the industry and the government. These issues included operational systems, management of security, indemnity and funding issues. The Australian Protective Service have already held their first operational meeting with aviation industry representatives and it is planned that further meetings will occur on a regular basis.

Currently the Air Security Officer program has in place joint training programs with several airlines. This training is designed to ensure that both the Air Security Officers and the airlines have procedures in place that are compatible. Considerable time has been spent developing these procedures and the Australian Protective Services Program Manager is in daily contact with the relevant airlines to ensure that the procedures that have been developed are functioning to the satisfaction of both parties

Overall there has been a high level of cooperation from the airlines and aviation industry, and its timely and effective implementation is evidence of the growing support for the program.

support from whom? pressure to comply from who? from the USA?

Why do we need armed Air Marshals in Australia?

Air Security Officers (Air Marshals) are traveling on flights over Australia as part of a series of inter-locking security measures, starting on the ground, protecting airline passengers in Australia.

protecting us from what and from who?

Many countries employ Air Security Officers including the United States, Israel Germany, India and Canada. One of the legacies of the September 11 attacks in the United States is an increased need worldwide for additional vigilance in air security.

most countries do not employ marshals. are we not vigilated enough already?

Aviation security consists of a number of layers, all interrelated and interdependent. This layered security concept has been adopted by many countries around the world and forms the cornerstone for the procedures in operation in Australia.

The layers are as follows:

Intelligence: Australia has in place ongoing analysis of all available information in order that the agencies and operators of aircraft are aware of possible threats. Australia's overseas partners provide timely intelligence. Increased sharing of information is a very necessary and positive legacy of the September 11 attacks. A number of agencies have monitoring and early warning systems in place at airports. They including alert lists for those people wanted for questioning by certain agencies. These systems are generally cross-linked

Australia's overseas partners are the USA. passengers are not intercontinental ballistic missiles that require early warning systems.

External Airport Security: This may include measures such as preventing vehicles parking close to a terminal. It may also involve the patrolling of car parks and other public areas by the police and/or private security firms. These organisations all have radio communications and are able to quickly report suspicious actions or packages.

since when have areas free from interference been public areas ? the police will not patrol car parks and other public areas. the low lives from the security firms will do it. god help us all. and yes they will have radios!

Inside the Airport: This is the first time passengers are observed by airline staff when initial checking of the passenger and their cargo occurs. Passengers are required to travel with their luggage and to declare any dangerous items. Security devices are also available to monitor crowded departure and arrival areas. Armed officers of the Australian Protective Service are also present in this area at many Australian airports.

we are no longer to be welcomed but observed and possibly gunned down at the check in desk.

Detection Equipment: There are a number of devices used to detect forbidden items and substances from being taken on aircraft. All passengers are required to pass through this screening process.

since when were nail scissors a threat to passenger safety?

Sterile Environment Area: This is the area admitting only passengers just prior to their embarkation. Sterile areas reduce the number of people in the terminal and provide a better opportunity for Airline staff to observe and monitor passengers prior to boarding aircraft.

again we are to be observed by Airline staff and not welcomed

Air side: This term describes the tarmac area, including the loading areas for all cargo. Again, this is a restricted area that can only be entered by those holding the required pass. In some terminals this area also provides the opportunity for further checking of cargo either by detection equipment (radiographic and explosive vapour) or specially trained detection dogs.

the lockerbee bombers used this method to place a kilo of sugar mixed with weed killer on an aircraft. the threat is from the pass holders who are not checked.

The Aircraft/Air Security Officers (Air Marshals): Each airline has a number of measures providing security for passengers including well qualified and trained aircrew and cabin crew, all of whom are briefed on security issues prior to each flight. Cabin staff are trained to observe passenger behaviour and to deal effectively with passengers causing problems on aircraft. The strengthening of cockpit doors is another measure being considered in the layered security approach. The use of Air Security Officers (Air Marshals) will provide the final layer in a comprehensive system of security designed to ensure the total security of both passengers and crew.

aircrew are trained to fly an aircraft. cabin crew are trained to look after passengers.
anybody who does not agree with this document must be causing a problem

Are Air Security Officers (Air Marshals) well trained?

All Air Security Officers undergo a stringent selection process and comprehensive training program developed and conducted by the Australian Protective Service (Australian Protective Services) to world best practice. This high level of training is achieved by using specialist firearms and tactical instructional staff recruited from police and defence services.

haven't we heard this jargon before "undergo a stringent selection process and comprehensive training program". the usual range of unemployable uneducated low levels from the prisons will be recruited. they are violent.

The Air Marshal Division of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assisted the Australian Protective Services in this process. The FAA has lengthy and proven experience in the performance of armed airborne security operations. Extensive liaison continues to occur with the US Federal Air Marshals. All Air Security Officers undertake aircraft emergency procedures training. The first group completed their training courtesy of Qantas Airways.

now we have it. it is the americans causing trouble again.
they have this system and want everybody else to have it to justify their excesses.

What will Air Security Officers (Air Marshals) do?

hopefully nothing. but they may draw their guns and start shooting the passengers. what a good cover for a hijacker. remember mrs Ghandi was executed by her bodyguards.

Air Security Officers (Air Marshals) are trained to respond appropriately to the level of threat. This is termed "force escalation" and may involve the following:-

oh so they are trained and that makes it alright. what sort of training is given to the passengers.
what sort of force escalation is possible for defence by passengers.
don't forget the on September 11th 2001 it was the passengers and not the crew who defended the white house from attack by a hijacked aircraft.
the passengers are not reassured by the threat posed by an escorting F16.

• Negotiations.
• Use of non-lethal force to disarm and restrain.
• Use of firearms as a last resort.