Introduction
The government of United States increased measures that would enhance security in the aviation industry after September 11, 2001. Improvements were made to the security methodologies, technology and operations through the establishment of security systems in each aviation transport system area. President George. W. Bush issued a National Security Presidential Directive on June 20, 2006 which led to the establishment of guidelines, policies and the implementation of enhancements of U.S national security and homeland security through protection of U.S interests in the U.S air-space. This also led to the establishment of the national strategy for aviation security (Aviation Transportation System Security Plan, 2007).
There various departments mandated with the responsibility to enforce security in the country and these agencies cannot act singly in preventing acts of terror or insecurity. Their roles are interrelated, and as such these agencies are supposed to complement and supplement each other in order to sustain aviation security. These agencies include the department of transportation, department of defense, department of homeland security, department of state-just to mention but a few (National Science and Technology Council (U.S.) & Subcommittee on Transportation Research and Development, 1999).
The essence of inter-agency cooperation is that it enhances speedy communications that will help elicit fast reaction to states of emergency. There is also an easy flow of information that allows early analysis and detection of any threat. Lack of cooperation may lead to a communication breakdown that may cause slow responses to emergencies. Similarly, it may cause slow detection of threats and response to threats (Aviation Transportation System Security Plan, 2007).
Cooperation between agencies can be enhanced through setting up protocols that defines the processes of sharing information. The creation of an aviation security team composed of members from all these agencies may also act as a way to enhance cooperation. Regular performance of joint drills meant to enhance responsiveness can be used as a way to enhance cooperation by showing each agency what may be required of them in actual threat cases.
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