News Releases for March 2002
March 6, 2002
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Hoeven Announces National Guard Airport Duty To Be Extended
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today announced that the term of duty for North Dakota Army National Guard soldiers deployed to enhance security at the state’s commercial airports will be extended.
On March 1, President Bush authorized and requested the nation’s governors to have their National Guard personnel continue supporting the airport security mission until May 31, 2002. The original airport security mission was scheduled to end on March 28, 2002.
“We can all be very proud of our National Guard members,” Hoeven said. “These men and women have supported this mission for almost five months, and I have received nothing but high praise for their professionalism.”
The President requested the extended deployment to allow additional time for the newly formed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to assume security duties now being performed by National Guard members, Hoeven said. The TSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, will bring airport security under federal control.
The Governor first assigned North Dakota National Guard members with training in civil disturbance to all North Dakota commercial airports on September 27, 2001, to restore public confidence in the aviation industry.
“Once again we’re calling on our National Guard, and once again they’re answering the call to duty with dedication and skill,” Hoeven said. “All North Dakotans are grateful to them for their commitment.”
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