Guards readying as attacks begin

Paul Clinton

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT -- The California Army and Air National Guards are

preparing to protect the airport after the U.S. began striking

Afghanistan in response to last month’s attacks.

Guard members of the 222nd Combat Communications Squad are expected to

be stationed at John Wayne Airport in the near future, Commanding Officer

Kerry Adams said.

Adams would not disclose when his guard members would have a visible

presence at the airport, but he did say the group has “increased our

level of security” at the guard’s base in Costa Mesa, located near Bark

Park on Newport Boulevard.

It is still not clear how many of the unit’s 110 members will participate in training at the airport.

The guard could perform duties such as operating X-ray machines and

breaking up any scuffles that occur, said a National Guard spokesmen in

Sacramento.

“In addition to our military training, we have received training from

the [Federal Aviation Administration] in airport security,” Adams said,

reading from a statement. “We are dedicated to assisting civil

authorities in restoring confidence in the nations air transportation

system.”

Airport managers have also beefed up the number of sheriff’s deputies

who patrol the airport.

Operations at John Wayne have been inching back toward pre-Sept. 11

levels. Last week, curbside check-in returned at the airport.

But managers got a scare Friday when a traveler was detained after a

pair of sharpened screwdrivers were found in his rental car. The man was

headed to Phoenix on an America West flight.

Takeoff of Flight 221 was delayed for more than 3 1/2 hours, after the

man was detained by federal agents.