Locke calls up Guard to protect airports

Herald news services

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke said Thursday that he will call up state National Guard units to help protect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Guardsmen may be asked to help protect some other state airfields as well, but none in Snohomish County has been earmarked for protection.

President Bush suggested the move to the nation’s governors as a stopgap while the federal government puts together a long-term plan to safeguard airports against terrorism.

"My first priority is the safety of the traveling public," Locke said in a statement. "I want people to feel comfortable and confident when going through our airports and flying on our planes."

Locke agreed to the plan after receiving assurances that the federal government would pay to deploy guardsmen for the next four to six months, said Dana Middleton, Locke’s spokeswoman.

The total number to be called up hasn’t been decided, because state officials aren’t sure how many airports they will be protecting. Besides Sea-Tac, several other cities in Washington have commercial airports including Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee, Bellingham and the Tri-Cities.

"The National Guardsmen would augment the security the airports already have in place," Middleton said. "The guardsmen would be trained by the FAA in everything from baggage screening to how to handle hazardous materials."

As part of tighter Sea-Tac security, airport officials on Thursday closed off 2,600 spaces in the main parking garage.

The parking spaces are on all eight floors of the structure, and are those within 300 feet of the side of the parking lot that is nearest to the main terminal. Those spaces will be off-limits until further notice, airport spokesmen said.

Locke cautioned that the state isn’t reacting to a specific threat.

"It is additional assurance to the American public that airport security is stringent and that we are taking all prudent steps to ensure that it continues to be so," Locke said.

Lt. Col. Rick Patterson, a spokesman for the Washington National Guard, said no orders were immediately issued.

"We’re prepared and we’re ready, but we haven’t received the mission yet," Patterson said.

The state National Guard includes about 2,300 airmen and 5,500 soldiers, Patterson said. All but a few are part-time volunteers who train one weekend a month, with a few weeks of active duty a year.

Across the nation on Thursday, governors pledged to mobilize National Guard troops against terrorism at airports, where jobs are drying up because of travel jitters. The Pentagon said it has authority to attack hijacked airliners as a last resort.

Talking about military pilots’ new rules of engagement in the war against terrorism, outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Henry Shelton said, "The last thing in the world that one of them wants to do is engage a commercial aircraft.

"Don’t get the impression that anyone who’s flying around out there has a loose trigger finger," he said.

Sixteen days after attacks that killed thousands, the Bush administration moved on several fronts to calm a still-fearful nation, bolster the U.S. economy, identify the killers and forge a wartime coalition of disparate nations.

Bush’s new anti-terrorism chief, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, has carved out a commanding role in the administration. Officials said he would oversee as many as 100 employees, all but 10 or so borrowed from agencies outside the White House, and would have significant input on budgets for the 40-plus agencies involved in counterterrorism.

"Others will tire and weary; I understand that. But not our nation," Bush told hundreds of flag-waving airline workers in Chicago, their industry and jobs in danger because of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Get on the airlines," Bush implored. "We will not surrender our freedom to travel."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.