KENNER, La. (WVUE/Gray News) – Normally, when air marshals are mentioned, you think of covert officers protecting passengers on flights.
But during Super Bowl LIX weekend, some of those air marshals will be seen on the ground at the Union Passenger Terminal, which is the main bus and train terminal for New Orleans.
The presence of air marshals is part of the surge of security for an event that now involves a visit from President Donald Trump.
Kate Romberger and Jason Goff are Assistant Supervisory Air Marshals in Charge.
Goff says wherever there will be passengers in New Orleans, air marshals will likely be close by.
“Our core mission will always be our critical in-flight security mission, but we at TSA have a mission that protects all modes of surface transportation,” said Goff.
Due to the Super Bowl’s “SEAR 1″ security designation, the TSA already planned to have air marshals supplement police presence. But the deadly terror attack on Bourbon Street has only added more urgency and personnel to their mission.
“After that event occurred, a request came in asking for more personnel to be deployed. So, we took a look at what our original plan was going to be and determined it would be in our best interest and everybody’s best interest, particularly the city of New Orleans, to increase that presence here,” said Rombeger.
Romberger says through Super Bowl Sunday, air marshals will be posted at airports, ferries, bus and train terminals.
Romberger wasn’t able to disclose how many air marshals will be working the Super Bowl, but considering President Donald Trump plans to attend the game, it’s safe to say their numbers are sizeable.
“We’ve been working on this for 18 months and we feel this will be the safest place on earth,” said Jason Goff.
The Federal Air Marshal program has grown exponentially since 9/11. On that day, there were only a total of 33 air marshals.
The current number of air marshals is classified, but according to TSA officials, that figure is in the thousands.
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