U.S. AIR MARSHALS TRAIN POLISH BORDER GUARDS

UNCLAS WARSAW 001595 SIPDIS UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC J. MCCLELLAN DHS FOR TSA DHS FOR CBP B. PICKETT RIGA FOR EXBS ADVISOR R. KRESOCK BRUSSELS FOR TSA REP P. RODGERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINS PARM PREL ECON PTER PL SUBJECT: U.S. AIR MARSHALS TRAIN POLISH BORDER GUARDS REF: WARSAW 02893 ¶1. SUMMARY: In July 2006, sixteen Polish Border Guards (BG) attended two weeks of airport/border security training at the Federal Air Marshal Training Facility in Atlantic City, NJ. The Program provided Polish air marshals with the skills and capabilities necessary to provide security aboard Polish aircraft. The Polish BG and the U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) both hope to continue this cooperation. END SUMMARY -------------- -------------- Idea Stemmed From Bilateral Counter Terror Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶2. During the first session of the Polish-U.S. Joint Counter Terrorism Working Group (JCTWG) in the spring of 2005, the Polish Border Guard (BG) requested Embassy assistance to establish cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop an aviation security system in Poland. The Polish request stemmed from a revision of their law on Border Guards, which gave the BG complete responsibility for providing security both in airports and aboard aircraft flights originating in Poland (Reftel). Through diplomatic channels, Embassy Warsaw identified appropriate POCs in TSA/FAMS with which to initiate cooperation. -------------- U.S. FAMS Trained Polish BG in Best Practices -------------- ¶3. As a result of the BG's request, from July 17-28, sixteen Polish Border Guards received two weeks of training at the Federal Air Marshal Training Facility in Atlantic City, NJ. The Polish participants came form a special operations unit within the Border Guard. This unit will provide security aboard aircraft operated by the Polish Airline LOT on high-risk flights, including those bound for the U.S. A representative of the German Air Marshal Service also observed the training as, in the past, all Polish BG officers attended a six-week training course in Germany. ¶4. The Air Marshal training in Atlantic City consisted of several classroom presentations and numerous practical exercises on operational tactics and techniques used by U.S. air marshals aboard aircraft. Classroom presentations covered information sharing systems, in-flight medical considerations, suicide terrorism and aircraft explosives countermeasures. Practical exercises fell into three blocks: defensive measures, firearms and mission training; all exercises emphasized dealing with these incidents aboard aircraft. ¶5. The State Department's Office of Export Control and Related Border Security funded all travel, lodging and per diem for 16 BG officers and two interpreters. FAMS provided instructors, training materials in Polish, air marshal uniforms and van transportation around Atlantic City. FAMS also assigned two Polish-speaking air marshals to assist the group during the training. The Polish BG was the first international group to bring their firearms for training and the first group from Europe to complete this training in the U.S. -------------- - BG and FAMS look forward to future cooperation -------------- - ¶6. During the graduation ceremony on July 28, U.S. and Polish officials expressed their willingness to continue cooperation. Mr. Dennis Holley, FAMS Assistant Special Agent in Charge for International Liaison, expressed interest in continuing work between the Polish BG and FAMS. The Director of the Federal Air Marshal Training Center, Mr. Joseph D'Angelillio, offered future assistance in joint trainings organized either in U.S. or in Poland at the soon-to-be established air marshal training facility in Ketrzyn, Poland. Major Slawomir Gasior, the head of the Special Operations Unit of the BG, expressed interest in signing a bilateral agreement with USG that would allow Polish air marshals to fly with their firearms to U.S. destinations. ¶7. COMMENT: The just-finished air marshal training for Polish Border Guard stands as a concrete benefit of the Polish-U.S. Joint Counter Terrorism Working Group (JCTWG) managed by U.S. Embassy Warsaw and the Polish Ministry of Interior. The JCTWG will continue to seek such opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation and enhance mutual security in the Global War on Terror. END COMMENT. HILLAS