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CNN Live At Daybreak

Target: Terrorism - Keeping the Airports Safe

Aired October 05, 2001 - 08:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The site of armed National Guardsmen patrolling the nation's airports is meant to reassure the traveling public, let's see if that is working.

CNN's Martin Savidge is at Newark International Airport gauging passenger reaction. Good morning, Marty.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Miles. New Jersey National Guard troops are now being deployed to the three commercial airports here in state of New Jersey, they include Mercer, Atlantic City, and of course Newark International Airport where we are now.

They were called up by acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco. Initially there will be about 75 troops deployed to all three of those airports, but the vast majority will be coming to Newark International. They are to undergo, or have undergone, two days of intensive training by the Federal Aviation Authority, the FAA of course responsible for all security for the airlines at the nation's airports. The troops will fall under their domain.

Authorities stress that these troops are not here to replace existing security, but merely to supplement it. That security has already been beefed up with the presence of New Jersey State Police.

Passengers say they have mixed feelings about the soldiers' presence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: National Guardsmen in the airports. It's going to give it a military feel. It is going to feel like you are entering something a little more serious. But under the conditions, it is serious.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any increased security is a great idea. And they will help everyone kind of get more relaxed feeling when they're going about their travel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: It is anticipated that in the state of New Jersey, over the next four to six months, the number of troops will go from 75 to about 175. National Guard troops are appearing at airports all across the country now.

Newark International Airport, as you know, was one of the airports from which the terrorists launched their campaign of September 11. It was United Flight 93 that was hijacked from here on its way to California. After a struggle, it eventually crashed in Pennsylvania.

Miles?

O'BRIEN: CNN's Martin Savidge at Newark International Airport. Thanks very much.

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