By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – North Dakota National Guard members who are providing security assistance at North Dakota airports say they're being welcomed by both passengers and airport staff -- because it helps show that it is safe to fly.
Guard personnel are stationed at all eight commercial airports in North Dakota. At the four largest airports -- Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot -- there are four Guard people on duty during peak hours. They're conspicuous -- wearing fatigues and brandishing M-16 weapons.
Specialist Leah Levey of Turtle Lake and Staff Sergeant Scott Mai of Minot have been pulling duty at the Bismarck airport. They say they've been well accepted.
"Everybody's really happy to see us out here," says Levey. "They always are showing their appreciation and going out of their way to thank us. For the most part, everybody's been very cooperative with us."
"I've had people all the way from the normal passengers to airline personnel -- captains, flight attendants -- thanks us for being here. They appreciate the fact that we're trying to bring safety back to the airline industry," said Mai.
Between 40 and 60 Guard personnel are assigned to airport security statewide. They help at security screening, help keep cars from parking in front of the bulidings, and assist passengers.