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FAA steps up security training
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Posted on Mar 15 1999
The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to provide trainings and seminars in the CNMI to help the Commonwealth Ports Authority in maintaining airport security.
According to Arthur Bell, manager, Civil Aviation Security Field Office in Honolulu, the recently held one-week training on Saipan included not only the airport employees but the airline personnel as well since FAA believes that the maintenance of security in Saipan International Airport is a team effort that must be carried out by all the people concerned.
At the same time, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation helped provide the training for hijacking and bombing incidents. Due to increased activities of terrorist groups, FAA requires civil aviation security personnel to increase alertness by adding patrol sin plainclothes throughout the airport.
Airport officials from Pohnpei, Chuuk, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa and the CNMI gathered here last week for the first time to attend the training.
Amid the continuous threat of terrorist groups, the ports authority emphasized the need of protecting passengers by taking all the needed security control.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has acknowledged FAA’s commitment in assisting the CNMI serve the traveling public better as well as promote productive partnership with other airports in the Pacific.
Through the years, Tenorio said, FAA has always been ready to offer advice and assistance, both technical and financial, to ensure that CPA is operating a safe and efficient airport.
Furthermore, the governor recognized the efforts made by CPA in improving airport facilities in the CNMI. Despite its limited budget, the ports authority has carried out airport expansion projects to better serve the passengers.
For the past two years, FAA has been trying to conduct the class on Saipan and Guam since most of the trainings and seminars are held in Hawaii and the US mainland, Bell said.
“We did not hold the seminar due to a specific threat but because we want the personnel involved to learn the requirements in maintaining security,” he added.
