PORT ANGELES — Two Washington National Guardsmen stood rigidly at attention Saturday as airline passengers filed past them at William F. Fairchild International Airport.
Dressed in camouflage uniforms, black berets and black combat boots, with 9mm semiautomatic pistols on their belts, the guardsmen observed passengers greet and say goodbye to families and friends as they kept watch on their first day of a four- to six-month security assignment at the small airport.
“Our duties are basically to augment the security personnel already here,” said Sgt. Larry Frost, detachment commander for the Port Angeles security detachment.
“For the most part, we provide a visible, armed presence so people feel safe flying here.”
Passengers arriving from Seattle on a Horizon Air flight Saturday morning barely glanced at Sgt. Joshua Price and Pfc. Kris Roadruck, who both stood silent, rigid and expressionless against the wall.
“It’s a little overkill,” said Eric Black, 34, a school bus driver from Philadelphia visiting friends in Port Angeles.
The full report is part of today’s Sunday Showcase package in the Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.