Associated Press
SEATAC — Volunteers from the Air and Army National Guards reported for active duty Friday at the state’s 10 commercial airports.
They’re part of a stopgap effort requested by President Bush while the federal government develops a permanent security plan. As many as 5,000 troops will be stationed at the nation’s 420 commercial airports for as long as six months.
In Washington, nearly 800 volunteered — about 10 percent of the state’s 2,300 Air and 5,500 Army guardsmen and women. Just 200 were needed, and they were hand-picked for airport duty.
"We’ve basically pulled the best from Washington state for this mission," said Maj. Bob Hom, commander of "Team West," about 100 volunteer guard members who will be working at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Bellingham and Port Angeles airports.
"I just really wanted to contribute. This may be my only opportunity to do that," said Pedro Cordoba, 26, of Arlington, whose civilian job is restaurant manager.
The volunteers — wearing camouflage fatigues and carrying sidearms rather than the automatic rifles being used at some of the nation’s busiest airports — will staff security checkpoints at the three Puget Sound-area airports and in Spokane, Walla Walla, Yakima, Tri-Cities, East Wenatchee, Moses Lake and Pullman.
"The reason we’re here, in my opinion, is to show people that they’re safe, that the airports are safe," said Capt. John Hinkle, among those assigned to the Yakima Air Terminal.
"Anything that makes people feel more comfortable about flying is a victory over terrorism," said airport police chief Peter Troyer at Spokane International.
At Sea-Tac, three guardsmen will be posted at each of the five checkpoints. When the checkpoints are open — the hours vary by airline — they’ll be there.
"The feeling of comfort and security they add just by being there is an important part of their mission," said Lt. Col. Nick Patterson, a Camp Murray spokesman who accompanied the volunteer troops.
"We’re here to assist if there’s any contentious activity," he said. "We’re there to enhance the security system — add some depth to it, if you will … without slowing things down."
The mission started Monday with weapons and special security training. The volunteers’ new duties begin when they complete orientation — Friday at the smaller airports, and by 5 a.m. Saturday here.
Most of the citizen soldiers will be serving in the communities where they live and, except for a few special instances, "we’re going to try to house them at home," Patterson said.
Will they be working 40-hour weeks?
"In excess of that, I believe," he said.
The cost of the mission is being covered by the federal government. All will be paid active-duty wages, with additional compensation in some cases to make up for lost income.
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