Newark Liberty International Airport is celebrating a milestone. Today is his 20th anniversary since the Transportation Security Administration took over security.
The TSA was created to increase security at airports nationwide in the wake of the 9/11 outbreak. When it started at the airport, it had 225 employees. Currently, there are 1,300 people.
TSA executives thanked the employees who have been with the agency since its inception. Within a year of 9/11, the TSA assumed responsibility for airport security nationwide and deployed federal agents to inspect all commercial airline passengers and baggage.
United Airlines Flight 93 departed Terminal A in Newark on September 11, 2001. The destination was the U.S. Capitol, but the passengers resisted and the plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 people. Since the agency’s inception, TSA has introduced a variety of cutting-edge technologies to inspect passengers, cargo and baggage.
“Without the TSA, our country cannot thrive. Thank you for your 20 years of service,” said former TSA US Marshals Director Donald Drummer.
There are currently 60,000 TSA employees nationwide.