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Guardsmen report for airport duty Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Maj. Gen. Alexander Burgin explains duties that the Oregon National Guard will have while patrolling Medford's airport. Soldiers arrive to work in shifts beginning this morning. By JILL BRISKEY The uniformed soldiers - who volunteered for the duty but will be paid for their work - will be on hand to help where needed and give jittery passengers peace of mind, according to Maj. Gen. Alexander Burgin. "They will be professional in their demeanor. They will look good," Burgin said. "They are trained to assist in checkpoints. They are trained to assist law enforcement." The guardsmen who will serve at Medford's airport are Southern Oregon residents. They will be on duty 24 hours a day for at least six months, Burgin said. Their specific duties at the airport will be determined after their arrival and could change according to the airport's needs. Six Guardsmen are expected to work in shifts of one or two soldiers per shift. "I suspect that in all airports, their mission will evolve," Burgin said. "This is new ground for us all." Airport director Bern Case said all six of the soldiers will be briefed at 4 a.m. today, and will be on duty by 5 a.m. when the airport opens for the day. "We're excited," Case said. "We appreciate the support of the state and National Guard." Rules of engagement Armed soldiers at Oregon's airports will be required to observe the following rules of engagement: - Soldiers will always use the least amount of force necessary to control the threat. - Soldiers will attempt to notify police before addressing any threat. - Weapons will be used only as a last resort. - Weapons will be drawn only to deal with an immediate threat to the life of the soldier or another person. - As soon as the threat is no longer immediate, the weapons will be re-holstered. - Soldiers or the task force will immediately notify headquarters of any incident involving the use of force or the drawing of a weapon. Last week, Gov. John Kitzhaber authorized the National Guard to deploy 48 unarmed soldiers and airmen to help the Federal Aviation Administration. at Oregon's commercial airports Oregon has 8,000 National Guard members and 2,000 Air National Guard members. Burgin said on Friday that all soldiers assigned to airports in Oregon will be armed. However, their weapons will only be used as a last resort. Such scenarios include protecting themselves or others from bodily harm or helping police. Burgin said the guardsmen will keep their weapons in their holsters at all times. The soldiers spent this week in training, learning about passenger screening, conflict resolution, passenger evaluation and handling dangerous or deadly items. The guardsmen also took a police training course and all soldiers are now certified to handle their weapons, Burgin said. Part of that certification involved learning to protect themselves, others and their weapon, as well as how to fire a weapon when surrounded by a crowd, Burgin added. "Soldiers and airmen are not police officers," Burgin said. The additional training was necessary because "they weren't trained as police officers. They're trained (as soldiers) to fire and maneuver." 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.