New Nevada airport security guards to begin training

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 10:01 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says he hopes that training can start Monday for 45 new security guards who will be stationed at airports in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko.

Asked if they would be heavily armed, Guinn said, "They will give the appearance the military is standing guard over the airport."

President Bush on Thursday asked governors to assign National Guard members, who would be paid by the federal government, to perform these duties.

The governor said he still had questions about the plan but said new information should be available today.

The 45 guards would be stationed at gates at McCarran International Airport and at Reno-Tahoe Airport and the airport in Elko. They would augment security already in place.

Local police in Las Vegas and Reno are already assigned to perform duties involving airport security, he said.

A conference call Thursday involving the White House and the governors marked the first time the subject of National Guard troops providing airport security was discussed, Guinn said.

"We need to have more information," the governor said.

Guinn said Guardsmen would have to leave their civilian jobs and, in many cases, take on lower paying positions. He questioned whether the federal government would supplement their salaries.