PORT ANGELES — Armed National Guard soldiers stationed at William R. Fairchild International Airport since September will be replaced next month by local law officers, paid for by the federal government.
The local law enforcement presence will be an interim step until the Transportation Safety Administration, the new security agency created following Sept. 11, can take over airport security duties.
However, just where the additional manpower for the airport patrols will come from is still being discussed by the Port Angeles Police Department, Clallam County and the Port of Port Angeles.
The Port operates the airport.
“Our understanding is that probably by May 31 the National Guard will be pulling out,” said Port of Port Angeles Executive Director Clyde Boddy.
The new Transportation Security Administration wants local law enforcement trained by early May to take over Guard duties, Boddy said, adding that deadline may have been moved back to May 1.
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