Page 54 - Marshal Annual Report
P. 54

THE AIRPORT DIVISION
                                            is responsible for all police responsibilities as well as physical security at
                                            the Augusta Regional Airport. The Airport Division provides the first layer
                                            of security for the airport, and it is their primary goal to provide the safest
                                            environment possible for all passengers, tenants, visitors, and employees.
                                            The  airport has  multiple  facilities,  hangars,  and a  primary passenger
                                            terminal  spread  across  1,411  acres.  The  Airport  Division  consists  of  31
                                            officers  and  employees  and  two  K9s,  “Major”  and  “Lexi,”.  Coverage  is
                                            provided 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. In addition, the Marshal’s
                                            Office  is  heavily  involved  in  many  specialized  exercises  such  as  VIP/
                                            Dignitary movement missions, military exercises, and training exercises,
                                            along with normal police day-to-day operations.
                                            In 2024 the Airport division completed 9,020 total calls for service. The
                                            number  of  screened  passengers  utilizing  the  Augusta Regional  Airport
                                            was 338,382 total screened passengers with close to an additional 600,000
                                            passengers  utilizing  the  private  fixed  base  operation.  The  Augusta
                                                                                                                                                                  LEXI & MAJOR
                                            Regional airport had over 39,000 aircraft operations for the year 2024.
                                            The Airport Division is instrumental in all community events that take                                                                          CERTIFIED K-9
                                            place  at Augusta Regional  Airport, including Meet  a  Machine, Run  the
                                            Runway 5K, Augusta Regional Classic II,
                                            and the Santa Fly-In.                                                                                                 LEXI & MAJOR










                                                                                                                                                                      K-9 Major & K-9 Lexi: Safeguarding Augusta Regional Airport
                                                                                                                                                                      K-9  Major  and  K-9  Lexi,  both  certified  explosives  detection  dogs  accredited  by  the  International  Police  Working  Dog
                                                                                                                                                                      Association, play a crucial role in enhancing security at Augusta Regional Airport.

                                                                                                                                                                      K-9 Major, a 2-year-old black Labrador, began his service on February 4, 2024. His name, derived from the Latin word
                                                                                                                                                                      meaning “greater,” symbolizes leadership and strength, reflecting his critical role in protecting the airport.

                                                                                                                                                                      K-9 Lexi, a 4½-year-old black Labrador, joined the airport security team on September 6, 2022. Her full name, Alexandria—
                                                                                                                                                                      Lexi for short—comes from Greek origins, meaning “protector of humanity,” which perfectly aligns with her mission to
                                                                                                                                                                      ensure the safety of travelers and visitors.

                                                                                                                                                                      Both K-9s work alongside their handlers, Corporal Thomas Wiedmeier (with Major) and Corporal Jonathan Harvey (with
                                                                                                                                                                      Lexi), forming a highly skilled team committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment at Augusta Regional Airport.
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                              RICHMOND COUNTY MARSHAL’S OFFICE  //  (706) 821-2368
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