The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) Board is pleased to announce it granted accreditation status to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Training Center (NATC) Initial Tactical Flight Officer (ITFO) program at the May 15, 2025, meeting.
The purpose of the ITFO program is to introduce new aircrew members to the instruments and technology, as well as the theory behind them, they will utilize on-board the aircraft to become effective aircrew officers or agents. Training consists of classroom-based lectures in safety and crew management, communications technology, basic aerodynamics and aircraft function, navigation, RADAR and infrared theory, and evidence handling with a legal review. Students also receive hands-on labs in mission planning and surveillance. The ITFO program is five instructional days and consists of 40 hours of instruction. The average number of students per iteration of the program is eight.
The FLETA Board is the accrediting body for all federal law enforcement training and support programs. To achieve accreditation, training organizations submit to an independent review of their program and/or academy to ensure compliance with the FLETA Standards and Procedures in the areas of Administration, Training Staff, Training Development, and Training Delivery. Accreditation is a cyclical process occurring every five years. Each year, training organizations must submit annual reports in preparation for reaccreditation, which is a new and independent review of the program/academy.