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Guardsmen assigned to airport duty By JILL BRISKEY Security at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport will tighten once again with the arrival of National Guardsmen next week. Thursday, President George Bush urged the nation's governors to call up National Guard personnel to heighten airport security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast. Medford airport director Bern Case on Friday said guardsmen could arrive in Medford by Thursday in response to the president's request. The guardsmen will be trained by Federal Aviation Administration officials in areas such as passenger and baggage screening, conflict management and handling deadly materials. An estimated 100 personnel will be sent to Oregon's seven commercial airports. "They'll be trained first so it will be mid-to-late next week before we see them here," Case said. "We're looking forward to having them here." According to a report from the Oregon Military Department, Gov. John Kitzhaber is consulting with National Guard officials, FAA, the Port of Portland and other Oregon commercial airports to define the guardsmen's mission. "The National Guard will not supplant, but rather support the FAA in its ongoing efforts to thwart any terrorist activity," the military department's report stated. Already heightened security remains in effect - in Medford that means curbside passenger drop-offs are no longer allowed and passengers are forced walk and carry their luggage about 300 feet from parking to the terminal. To allow curb-side drop-off, Case said a security guard must be posted to inspect each vehicle and the airport can't afford one. Case said that's part of a local master security plan, as arranged with the FAA following the terrorist attacks, in order to prevent destruction from car bombs. But the FAA wouldn't comment on specific security measures and spokesman Mike Fergus said individual airport plans vary due to an airport's size and location. "It may be part of their plan if they deem it necessary," Fergus said from his office in Renton, Wash. Other airports currently do allow curbside drop-offs. Case said the county may build a wall or berm that would protect the building against a car bomb. The construction would allow curbside drop-offs. He added that the construction won't take place until FAA sets guidelines for such a structure. "It's hard to tell where that will end up," Case said. "We think doing it right is better than doing it fast." Waits at the Medford airport have dropped to 90 minutes, and Case hopes to see passengers waiting just one hour to board their flights by next week. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.