Troops Deployed at O.C. Airport

California National Guard troops were deployed at John Wayne Airport on Friday as part of a federal plan to restore public confidence in air travel following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Dressed in green battle fatigues and armed with M-16 rifles, the soldiers reported for duty before dawn and took positions at security checkpoints not far from the airport’s gates. Authorities declined to say how many troops were assigned to John Wayne.

Passengers said they appreciated the heightened security and the presence of the armed troops, but the National Guard did not seem to alter their attitudes or concerns about air travel during the nation’s military operations in Afghanistan.

“I feel safe in the airport but not about flying,” said Heather Lee of Irvine, who was waiting in the terminal before boarding a flight to Seattle. “I am a little nervous right now.”

The soldiers are volunteers from the 222nd Combat Communications Squadron, an Air National Guard unit based in Costa Mesa.

Many are working people who normally serve one weekend a month. They will stand guard during the airport’s regular business hours.

“Our mission is to provide confidence and an extra layer of security,” said Master Sgt. Anfre Moore, who stood guard at a security checkpoint beyond the ticket counters inside Terminal A.

Since Sept. 11, John Wayne officials have increased their annual security budget from $4 million to $16.5 million. The county has deployed more sheriff’s deputies at the airport and installed additional screening devices for baggage and passengers. Vehicles entering the parking lots and loading zones are subject to searches.

The presence of the National Guard was not felt Friday at the entrances or ticketing areas of the airport. The soldiers were more visible near the X-ray machines, where security guards screen travelers and check carry-on luggage.

Although she was a bit concerned about seeing all the armed deputies and soldiers in the terminal, Debby Lowe, a businesswoman from Portland, Ore., said the additional security should make it easier to detect anything suspicious.

As for Marty Cahill, also of Portland, the National Guard did not make much difference to him.

“I’m not any more confident than I have been in the past,” he said as he walked from a ticket counter. “If I wasn’t confident in the airlines, I wouldn’t be here.”

National Guard units will be stationed at 30 airports in the state. So far, troops have been deployed at 11 airports, including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, Burbank, Ontario and San Diego. Col. Ernie Zuick, a Guard spokesman, said they will remain on duty until the federal government replaces them with trained airport security.