AIM Text
- The FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations manages the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program which was established in 1972. Through a unique agreement with law enforcement agencies and airport authorities, the FAA has strategically placed FAA-certified K-9 teams (a team is one handler and one dog) at airports throughout the country. If a bomb threat is received while an aircraft is in flight, the aircraft can be directed to an airport with this capability. The FAA provides initial and refresher training for all handlers, provides single purpose explosive detector dogs, and requires that each team is annually evaluated in five areas for FAA certification: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage. If you desire this service, notify your company or an FAA air traffic control facility.
- The following list shows the locations of current FAA K-9 teams:
TBL 6-2-1
FAA Sponsored Explosives Detection Dog/Handler Team LocationsAirport Symbol
Location
ATL
Atlanta, Georgia
BHM
Birmingham, Alabama
BOS
Boston, Massachusetts
BUF
Buffalo, New York
CLT
Charlotte, North Carolina
ORD
Chicago, Illinois
CVG
Cincinnati, Ohio
DFW
Dallas, Texas
DEN
Denver, Colorado
DTW
Detroit, Michigan
IAH
Houston, Texas
JAX
Jacksonville, Florida
MCI
Kansas City, Missouri
LAX
Los Angeles, California
MEM
Memphis, Tennessee
Airport Symbol
Location
MIA
Miami, Florida
MKE
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
MSY
New Orleans, Louisiana
MCO
Orlando, Florida
PHX
Phoenix, Arizona
PIT
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PDX
Portland, Oregon
SLC
Salt Lake City, Utah
SFO
San Francisco, California
SJU
San Juan, Puerto Rico
SEA
Seattle, Washington
STL
St. Louis, Missouri
TUS
Tucson, Arizona
TUL
Tulsa, Oklahoma
- If due to weather or other considerations an aircraft with a suspected hidden explosive problem were to land or intended to land at an airport other than those listed in b above, it is recommended that they call the FAA's Washington Operations Center (telephone 202-267-3333, if appropriate) or have an air traffic facility with which you can communicate contact the above center requesting assistance.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 6-2-5.
The short answer
This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance describing the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program, established in 1972 and managed by the Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations. It explains how FAA-certified K-9 teams (one handler and one dog) are placed at airports nationwide so an aircraft with an in-flight bomb threat can be directed to a capable airport, and how to request the service.
Research Notes
Common Questions
How do I request an FAA explosives detection K-9 if there's a bomb threat in flight?
The AIM advises that if you desire this service you should notify your company or an FAA air traffic control facility. If a bomb threat is received while the aircraft is in flight, the aircraft can be directed to an airport with this K-9 capability.
What if I have to land at an airport without an FAA K-9 team?
If weather or other considerations require landing at an airport not on the listed locations, the AIM recommends calling the FAA's Washington Operations Center (202-267-3333, if appropriate), or having an air traffic facility you can communicate with contact that center requesting assistance.
In what areas are FAA K-9 teams certified?
Per the AIM, each team is annually evaluated in five areas for FAA certification: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage. The FAA provides initial and refresher training for all handlers and supplies single-purpose explosive detector dogs.