Homeland Security to beef up airport security screening after report

Melanie Eversley | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption TSA failed to detect 'fake' weapons, explosives Undercover agents were able to smuggle prohibited items, such as mock explosives or weapons, through TSA checkpoints in 67 out of 70 attempts, according to a Homeland Security investigation.



Random covert testing, intensive training and equipment checks are among several changes Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced Monday after an internal investigation found flaws in the nation's airport security screening system.

Johnson said he is not at liberty to reveal details of an inspector general report on the effectiveness of the nation's airport security screening system, but he did make reference in a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security to "vulnerabilities" mentioned in the report.

Johnson also announced Monday that, effective immediately, Transportation Security Administration acting administrator Melvin Carraway is being reassigned to the DHS Office of State and Local Law Enforcement. Acting deputy director Mark Hatfield will head up TSA until someone is selected to replace Carraway, Johnson said.

"I thank Melvin Carraway for his 11 years of service to TSA and his 36 years of public service to this nation," Johnson said.

Before coming to the TSA in 2004, Carraway served as superintendent of the Indiana State Police from 1997 to 2004, according to his LinkedIn profile. Hatfield was director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 1995 to 1999 and was managing director at public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller before coming to TSA in 2002, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Among the TSA changes Johnson is ordering

Directing Transportation Security Administration to revise procedures so that they address vulnerabilities mentioned in report;

That TSA share the results of testing with airport officials across the country;

Training for all transportation security officers at every airport;

Directing testing and retesting of equipment used at airports;

Asking inspector general and the TSA to conduct "random covert testing" of security practices;

Appointing a team of TSA and DHS leaders to make sure changes are implemented.

ABC News first reported Monday that undercover agents were able to smuggle prohibited items, such as mock explosives or weapons, through TSA checkpoints in 67 out of 70 attempts. ABC cited anonymous officials who had been briefed on the inspector general's report.

In at least one test, agents failed to detect a bomb, even after an undercover agent set off a magnetometer, according to The Hill. The undercover agent was allowed to pass through screening with the fake bomb attached to his back -- and after a pat down, The Hill reported.

The problems vulnerabilities were detected by a group of undercover agents known as the Red Team who have publicly exposed previous screening vulnerabilities, according to The Hill.

Contributing: The Associated Press