Federal Air Marshals Protect the Skies

Federal Air Marshals, or FAMs are the firest line of defense on board an in flight airline crisis. FAMs go through training at the Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. News Four Arkansas was invited on a rare behind the scenes tour of the training program. The 14 week program teaches the basic psychological profiles of terrorists and hijackers. It also takes FAMS through intense firearms training. Agents are trained to use immediate deadly force when faced with armed determined terrorists. "We`re preparing them to work alone or with a partner at 30 thousand feet there is no backup and they have to make split second life making decisions," says an unidentified FAM. FAMS go through exercises with actors posing as terrorists. "Your goal in training is to replicate their work environment as best you can," says a FAM identified as `Elizabeth`. Agents run through scenarios of terrorist activity or hijacking to visualize the confined space and elements present in real life emergencies. Agents are trained to travel incognito. They work to blend in with the traveling public. They hope terrorism never hits home again- but if it does- they`re prepared.