Definition:

Federal Air marshals were first employed by the United States in the 1970s, under the Sky Marshal program, when hijacking of planes to Cuba had become commonplace. Today, the renamed Federal Air marshal program employs special government agents who travel incognito as everyday passengers on routes considered high-risk. They are authorized to carry firearms and to make arrests without warrants.

According to the Transportation Security Administration:

The Federal Air Marshal Service promotes confidence in the nation?s civil aviation system through the effective deployment of Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S. air carriers, airports, passengers, and crews.

Federal Air Marshals must operate independently without backup, and rank among those Federal law enforcement officers that hold the highest standard for handgun accuracy. They blend in with passengers and rely on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public.

Federal Air Marshals have an ever expanding role in homeland security and work closely with other law enforcement agencies to accomplish their mission. Currently, air marshals staff several positions at different organizations such as the National Counterterrorism Center, the National Targeting Center, and on the FBI?s Joint Terrorism Task Forces. In addition, they are also distributed among other law enforcement and homeland security liaison assignments during times of heightened alert or special national events.

Also see:

• Hijacking
• Top 5 State Department Travel Safety Websites
• Passenger Profiling Pros & Cons