ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will be joined by Director Roderick Allison, of the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Friday, August 26 at 10:30 a.m. to highlight a measure the senator led to enhance U.S. airport and mass transit security. The measure was included in the bipartisan, bicameral Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension.

In the wake of the terror attacks over the last year in Paris, Brussels, and Istanbul, Senator Heinrich led the effort to expand the number of Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams from the current 31 to as many as 60, to enhance the security presence in pre-screening airport areas and other transportation facilities, especially in non-secure "soft" target areas at airports like check-in and baggage claim areas. The measure also updates federal security programs to provide active shooter training for law enforcement and increase the presence of federal security teams with bomb-sniffing canines at these non-secure areas.

TSA's VIPR teams provide a full range of law enforcement and security capabilities.  The exact make-up of each VIPR team is determined jointly with local law enforcement in collaboration with Federal Air Marshals, explosive detection canines, TSA officers, and other TSA security personnel. These teams work in conjunction with local transportation security and local law enforcement partners. 

Together, Senator Heinrich and Director Allison will take this opportunity to observe a scheduled VIPR operation at the Albuquerque International Sunport, and discuss how airport, and overall transportation security, has been enhanced as result of Senator Heinrich's measure. There will also be an opportunity for Senator Heinrich and Director Allison to answer questions about the operation.

***Press interested in attending should RSVP to press@heinrich.senate.gov or call (202) 228-1578***

Albuquerque, N.M. - Friday, August 26, 2016
WHAT:  VIPR Operation Tour 
WHEN:  Tour starts at 10:45 a.m. 
WHERE:  Albuquerque International Sunport, ticketing level escalators, 2200 Sunport Blvd, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106