GUARD ON AIRPORT DUTY TRAVELERS SURPRISED, PROTECTED.Byline: Lisa Faught Staff Writer BURBANK - National Guard soldiers in full camouflage and carrying M-16 assault rifles A
security after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The troops joined others that have taken up positions at airports across California, a move aimed at restoring some peace of mind for travelers. Their presence was a sometimes jolting reminder for civilians unaccustomed to war. ``We're so complacent in our freedoms, this is a real big difference,'' said Mary Ayers, who was on her way to Napa Valley Napa Valley, Calif.: see under Napa. Napa Valley greatest wine-producing region of the United States. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 2990] See : Wine . About 27 soldiers, mostly from Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , are stationed at the airport. Their mission is to serve as an extra set of eyes and to bolster the already beefed-up security at the facility. Airport spokesman Victor Gill said the soldiers will stand watch at the airport for the next four to six months. As Master Sgt. Earley Terry of Pasadena paced through the airport Friday, travelers looked at his military wear with curiosity. One traveler asked to take a closer look at the assault rifle assault rifle Military firearm that is chambered for ammunition of reduced size or propellant charge and has the capacity to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. slung slung v. Past tense and past participle of sling1. slung Verb the past of sling1 slung sling over his shoulder. ``To some folks, it's a surprise,'' Terry said. ``But most people come by and say 'Good to have you here,' and 'Lookin' sharp.''' ``It makes me feel so good to have been called,'' said Tech Sgt. Ed Weigand. ``This is the first time that something like this has happened in our country, and hopefully with our support we can deter this from ever happening again. That is my profound hope.'' The strong military presence was reassuring, but a little bit spooky spook·y adj. spook·i·er, spook·i·est Informal 1. Suggestive of ghosts or a ghost; eerie. 2. Easily startled; skittish. , said Rose Wagenaar of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, . ``It probably makes it safe for everyone, but it's still a weird feeling,'' Wagenaar said. After the terrorist attacks, the number of passengers flying in and out of the airport dropped as travelers nationwide canceled or postponed trips. But the numbers are slowly but surely climbing back up, Gill said. ``We are tending to see more passengers come back, but it's hard to gauge if we're at normal levels yet,'' Gill said. ``We're probably up to about 60 percent of normal.'' Under the tighter security measures, travelers are now limited to just one carry-on bag and are allowed into the gates only with a boarding pass and identification. Cars left in valet parking valet parking n. Parking arrangements provided by a commercial establishment, such as a restaurant, whereby patrons leave their cars at the entrance and attendants park and retrieve them. Noun 1. and short-term parking are searched. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) A man, above, watches National Guard Tech Sgt. Scot Heddon inspect trash cans at Burbank Airport on Friday. At left, others wait in line under the watchful eye of a National Guardsman with his M-16 at the ready. Friday was the first day the Guard patrolled the airport, checking for unattended luggage or packages. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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