US police use decommissioned aircraft for counter-terror training

The Houston Police Department last month became the first in the US to begin using a decommissioned US Air Force (USAF) Boeing 737 for training exercises. The scenarios will not involve flight, but will simulate situations that officers might face at one of Houston’s three major airports.

The USAF retains ownership of the aircraft but has granted full use of the jet to the Houston Police Department. Training scenarios planned for the SWAT team include bomb detection, hostage situations and other potential terrorist activities.

“Acquiring this plane gives our officers a realistic training tool in the ongoing efforts to keep the citizens of Houston safe,” Police Chief Charles McClelland said at a news conference near the site of the aircraft. “This plane can be used as a training platform by our SWAT, special response group, bomb squad and K-9 units.”