On the Alert : Air National Guard Beefs Up Its Security

Security was increased Tuesday at the California Air National Guard base at Van Nuys Airport, along with other U.S. government installations throughout the world, as fears of a terrorist reprisal rose in light of the American bombing of Libya. (See related story, Part I, Page 7.)

Guards at the front gate, who ordinarily wear Air Force blue uniforms and carry .38-caliber special revolvers, turned out in combat gear, armed with M-16 automatic rifles and wearing flak vests.

“When hostilities occur, naturally there’s a little upgrading of security,” said Maj. Mike Ritz, public affairs officer for the 146th Tactical Airlift Wing, which occupies a 62-acre base in the northwest corner of the airfield and flies 16 C-130 cargo planes. The major security force, armed with rifles and shotguns, patrols the base in vehicles, Ritz said. A spokesman for Van Nuys Airport said security precautions are being taken, but he could not discuss them. No commercial airlines use the airport, which is the busiest general aviation field in the nation. Security is provided by Los Angeles Airport Police.

Victor Gill, a spokesman for Burbank Airport, said, “We aren’t doing anything special that wasn’t being done yesterday and last week.”