What must all aircraft have, which may include an area patrol not solely dedicated to the visiting aircraft?

The requirement for all aircraft to have an armed response team is established due to the critical need for immediate security and threat management in aviation environments. An armed response team is specifically trained to respond to security incidents, manage potentially hostile situations, and ensure the safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers.

This team can provide a rapid and effective response to threats, maintaining a secure environment for the visiting aircraft as well as any additional security needs. Moreover, the presence of armed personnel can act as a deterrent to potential would-be aggressors, enhancing overall security posture during flight operations.

While other teams, such as emergency response teams, security details, and patrol units may play essential roles in various scenarios, they typically do not have the combination of immediate tactical response capacity and authority that an armed response team possesses. This distinction underscores the critical importance of having armed personnel available in aviation security contexts, ensuring the highest levels of safety and efficacy in threat management.