All Security officers at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Airport are currently participating in the Basic Aviation Security Training (BAST), as part of an ongoing professional development initiative led by the Public Entity of St. Eustatius. This essential training is designed to ensure full compliance with the standards set by the Civil Aviation Security Supervision Brigade (Brigade Toezicht Beveiliging Burgerluchtvaart -BTBB) and the National Training Program Civil Aviation Security (NTBB-CN).
The BAST training delivered in collaboration with certified instructors from NTCB covers critical topics such as threat recognition, access control, passenger and baggage screening, x-ray operations, patrolling, and emergency response. It provides the foundation for officers to operate effectively in high-security environments and is mandatory for all personnel who perform duties within the restricted areas of the airport.
“With this training, we are not only meeting our regulatory obligations but also investing in the professionalism and preparedness of our officers. It’s a fundamental step toward raising the standard of airport security on the island.” said Michael de Vreugd, Unit Manager of Security.
To maintain continuous security operations, officers attend the training in shifts, ensuring uninterrupted coverage of key airport posts. This staggered approach supports operational readiness while progressing toward full certification of all Security personnel.
The BAST training is the first in a series of structured learning modules that will be rolled out over the coming years as part of a multi-year training and compliance strategy for the Unit.
