Federal Air Marshal Service

Following the September 11, 2001, hijacking of four U.S. airliners, individuals with terrorist ties have attempted attacks against the nation’s civil aviation system. To help address such threats, FAMS, an office within TSA, is tasked with promoting confidence in the nation's civil aviation system through the deployment of air marshals to protect U.S. air carriers, airports, passengers, and crews. GAO was asked to review FAMS operations. This report examines the extent to which (1) FAMS deploys air marshals based on risk and (2) FAMS’s performance measure reflects attributes of successful performance measures. GAO reviewed FAMS’s strategy and performance measure documents, analyzed FAMS’s fiscal years 2010 through 2014 flight coverage and performance measure data, and interviewed FAMS and TSA officials.