News Releases for May 2002
May 10, 2002
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Hoeven Announces Completion Of National Guard Mission At Airports
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today announced the completion of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s security mission at the state’s commercial airports. That mission is coming to a close on May 31, 2002, after eight months of support to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the recently formed Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“On behalf of the people of North Dakota, I thank the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard for their exemplary service to our state, and I congratulate them for a job well done,” Hoeven said.
Hoeven mobilized Guard soldiers September 27, 2001, at the request of President Bush. In March, the governor extended the mission until May 31 at the president’s request. Last week, Hoeven called the White House to ask for additional flexibility in making the security transition from National Guard personnel to federal control. The Administration responded Wednesday with a federally financed plan that allows several staffing options, including the use of local law enforcement, federal customs personnel and private security firms. The TSA is expected to take over security at North Dakota airports in about 18 months.
“As completion of the Guard’s mission approached, we asked the White House for some leeway in making the transition to federal control of security. The Administration responded with a plan that will provide continued security coverage for the state’s airports at federal expense,” Hoeven said. This action gives the TSA a grace period to implement a solid security protocol, and it gives the airports the flexibility to cover security without a burdensome cost.”
Because the National Guardsmen must complete actions associated with the airport mission (including taking accumulated leave and de-mobilization activities) by the end date, most Guardsmen will depart the airports during the weekend of May 10, 2002. The state’s airports reported Thursday that all have made arrangements for an orderly transfer of security responsibilities.
In North Dakota approximately 55 soldiers were on airport security; the number swelled to about 75 soldiers during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. As of yesterday, 5,274 Guard troops remained at the nations 429 airports, according to the National Guard Bureau.
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