TSA Employees with 20 years of service gather for a photo at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). (TSA Photo)
MILWAUKEE — Officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) commemorated the 20th anniversary of the federalization of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) this week by recognizing members of the workforce who have been with TSA for 20 years and looking back at the earliest days of TSA and two decades of evolution.
The airport launched under TSA security oversight 20 years ago, on Oct. 16, 2002, when the security checkpoint was first staffed by federal TSA officers one year after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) became law in November 2001, formally establishing the TSA. That fall, TSA consisted of about 100 people working at folding tables in the basement of Department of Transportation national office. Today, 20 years later, there are 430 federalized airports and a workforce of about 60,000 employees nationwide. Some 47 TSA employees at MKE – about 1 in 4 – have 20 years of service.“The days and weeks that followed 9/11 were filled with chaos, anxiety and a host of unknowns for the way forward,” TSA Wisconsin Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay said. “As we mark this important anniversary at MKE, we pledge to never forget the tragedy that preceded it, and we recall those who lost their lives and grieve with their loved ones who still miss them 21 years later.”
“Ensuring the security of our nation is a difficult mission that requires all of us to cooperate and collaborate towards a common goal—that every MKE traveler can feel confident that they will end their day safe and secure, no matter their destination,” Lendvay said. “We’ve come so far, and we remain laser-focused on staying ahead of emerging threats.”
In the intervening years since launching, TSA has developed and implemented strong security procedures, built a well-trained and highly skilled professional workforce, and introduced a wide array of state-of-the-art technologies to screen passengers, baggage, and cargo.
Guided by an intelligence-based approach, today TSA is at the forefront of security technology and innovation. Technologies such as computed tomography, credential authentication technology and advanced imaging technology have greatly improved TSA’s detection and identity verification capabilities in ways the initial group of TSA employees could have only imagined 20 years ago. Much has changed since TSA was first established; however, some things have not.
“What remains the same are the people of TSA,” Lendvay said. “Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our passengers is as strong today as it was 20 years ago.”