TSA National Deployment Force helps keep Army’s 250th anniversary celebration safe

TSA's National Deployment Force (NDF) from airports across the country supported a large-scale national special security mission protecting the Army's 250th birthday celebration and parade in Washington, D.C.

The NDF deploys TSA officers to support airport screening operations and special events during emergencies, seasonal demands, or other circumstances requiring more resources than are normally available.

Comprised of 374 uniformed TSA Officers, five NDF area coordinators, and eight transportation security managers, this large field-deployed force partnered with the U.S. Secret Service in screening tens of thousands of festival and parade participants, guests, and their personal property.

Behind the scenes, a host of analysts and program specialists also worked diligently with NDF coordinators and managers to navigate and manage the complex logistics of getting everyone safely to and from their important assignments.

Assignments were long - over 14 hours in some cases - and participants weathered brutal heat and humidity in an exclusively outdoor screening environment that proved challenging at times. Still, everyone performed exceptionally, with impeccable focus, determination and spirit.

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport STSO Brad Palmer valued the work of his fellow Officers.

"Every successful mission begins with good planning and preparation, and I was really impressed with the amount of effort, commitment, and coordination by our leadership," Palmer said. "The amount or pride and professionalism demonstrated by our uniformed team was exceptional. It was visible and palpable in every respect. As a veteran of the Army and law enforcement, I was even more proud of my team on this important day."

The team detected and intercepted a host of potential threats throughout the event, including knives, swords, and other prohibited items.

"One guest that walked past us declined to be screened at our station," said El Paso International Airport TSA Officer Martin Fong, a former law enforcement officer. "He walked further down carrying food and oddly had a cane tucked under his arm."

The man was screened at a nearby station. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport TSA Officer Alicia Brown Ellis discovered the cane contained a sword. "I saw an individual walking with a cane under his arm, and right away suspected it wasn't what it seemed," Ellis said. "I'd seen this before and motioned for him to come to my screening station. He presented his property to me for screening and sure enough, my suspicion was warranted."

The Secret Service team working alongside TSA officers then stepped in and took the person into custody for attempting to enter the event with a concealed weapon.

Late into the evening, and with celebratory fireworks bursting overhead, the team quietly concluded another successful security mission and headed home to prepare for the next one.

For NDF Officers, this was another opportunity to showcase important security training, skill, and experience at a nationally significant event, and the NDF is grateful for the TSA teams and leaders who also embarked upon this journey to the nation's capital to help keep the Army's 250th Anniversary Celebration safe.

Denver International Airport Supervisory Officer Gerald Newton said the deployment was an amazing experience. "I grew up in an Army family and my dad was stoked when he heard I was deploying to help secure the Army's 250^th Birthday Celebration in Washington," Newton said. "It was a very long day of hard work but we felt so welcome and appreciated, especially by our Secret Service Partners."

By George Dechon, TSA National Deployment Force and Mike Frandsen, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs