What exactly is an air marshal, and what are they trained to do on a flight?

Question

What exactly is an air marshal, and what are they trained to do on a flight?

In: 20

Answer 1

Assuming you mean the US Federal Air Marshals, the actual training and specifics are not for public release.
Their role is to act as onboard law enforcement. In the 60s-70s there was an issue with aircraft highjacking for political reasons. Things like diverting the flight to take people hostage or to get into another country. Undercover Law enforcement were put on high risk flights to stop this.
Post 9/11 it’s still the same mission set.