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American Morning

U.S. Military Stops Mandatory Around the Clock Air Patrols

Aired April 16, 2002 - 08:48   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Ever since hijackers flew jetliners into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11th, the Pentagon has had jet fighters patrolling the skies over both Washinhgton and New York around the clock. Well, several weeks ago, the Bush administration tried to cut back the costly combat air patrols, but the New York congressional delegation complained, and now the Pentagon has finally made its decision. And we get it now from our own Barbara Starr who is standing by at the Pentagon.

Good morning, Barbara.

What is the verdict?

BARBARA STARR, CN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Paula.

CNN has learned, in fact, the U.S. military now, for the first time since September 11th, has stopped those mandatory around the clock air patrols not only just over New York City, but Washington D.C. Several weeks ago, the White House tried to cut back on the air patrols over New York City. The congressional delegation complained. Everything was put on hold.

But late last week, with no fanfare, but of course President Bush's approval, the military changed its policy. Now, instead, the commander of NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which runs the whole operation, will make desretion about when to put airplanes in the sky. That will depend on the threat assesment, airport security, and of course the availabilty of resources, as they say.

What they military has been quite concerned about is these mandatory patrols, 24-7, over New York and Washington, have been a huge drain on the Pentagon. Since September, they've cost over half a billion dollars, involved 13,000 troops, 250 airplanes. It's a terrific drain on resources, on airplanes, and on personnel. And the military has long felt that the improvements in airport security were such they could cut back. Now, no more mandatory patrols, totally at the discretion of the Pentagon -- Paula.

ZAHN: Is this it? Are there going to be more coming on this?

STARR: Well, we are, in fact, going to learn a very interesting piece of information tomorrow. Tomrrow, the pentagon is going to announce a major reorganization of the U.S. military, and it will relate to this. For the first time, there will a four star officer, general or admiral, in charge of homeland defense. It's going to bring all of these activities together for the military, adn the Pentagon hopes that it will provide more coordination, more direction on how the military can support the whole entire homeland defense issue.

ZAHN: All right, Barbara Starr, thanks for that piece of breaking news. Appreciate it.

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