Story ID: 
FBO Scrutiny Heightened After Bin Laden Death
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: In the wake of the killing of terrorist chieftain Osama bin Laden last month by U.S.
Word Count: 149
In the wake of the killing of terrorist chieftain Osama bin Laden last month by U.S. forces in Pakistan, there have been reports of specially trained personnel from the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security visiting FBOs located at airports served by airlines. Known as Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams, their purpose is to “operate throughout the airport environment as an additional layer of security to enhance TSA’s ability to prepare for, protect against or respond to acts of terrorism.” While the teams have the authority to examine accessible property or search vehicles approaching airport parking areas or terminals, according to Eric Byer, NATA’s vice president of government and industry affairs, in most of the recent cases they are conducting perimeter screenings at the FBO facilities to ensure there are no gaps that could allow unauthorized entry to the airports.