South Dakota National Guard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12 October 2001
For More Information: Major Mark Johnston, 605-737-6721

RAPID CITY -- Due to Federal Aviation Administration funding guidelines, the Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings and Huron airports will not have National Guard security forces on duty.

Beginning October 13, the security mission for those airports will be assumed by the local law enforcement personnel. Local law enforcement personnel have been working with the National Guard, and will return to the governor’s original plan of having an officer trained in tactical weapons present for the hours when boarding takes place on the scheduled commercial flights.

Major General Phil Killey, the Adjutant General who is responsible for the airport security program, has either met with or spoken to law enforcement leaders at each of the four locations to ensure a smooth transition.

In a statement released early last week, the initial security plan was to have National Guard soldiers at each of the state’s seven commercial airports. Recently, the FAA designated only Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Pierre as those airports that required National Guard support. With that designation comes the funding for personnel to provide security services.

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