On Monday, January 21, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman and the Minister of State for Transport and Aviation Hope Strachan attended the opening of a five-day aviation security course held at the Super Clubs Breezes Resort on Cable Beach. The training was organized by the Organization of American States Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CITCE) with funding provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The seminar will provide airport security officials with the opportunity to assess and review security procedures that are designed to deter, detect and prevent the introduction of illegal contraband on board an aircraft or into the secure area of an airport.
The course includes aviation security officials from New Providence, Andros, Exuma, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, Bimini and the Berry Islands, Inagua, Grand Bahama, Long Island and San Salvador who already serve as instructors of aviation security courses within their respective airports. They will be taught the highest standard of the screening techniques course as how to deliver this course to individuals working in airports throughout The Bahamas.
In his remarks, Chargé Dinkelman noted that with more than four million American tourists visiting The Bahamas annually, aviation security is a key area of interest for both the U.S. and The Bahamas.
“Working in the area of security in a post-September 11 world requires an uncommon level of commitment, a constant focus, and a dedication to the work that can only be sustained with pride in a job well done and a firm sense of mission,” said the U.S. Chargé. “When we consider the significance of transportation, and in particular aviation, to the strength and vitality of the global economy, the importance of securing every passenger, every bag and every piece of cargo cannot be overstated, which is why this week’s training is so vital.”
