May 10, 2002

North Carolina National Guard Ends Duty at RDU

	The North Carolina National Guard today presented a framed North Carolina flag to Airport Director John Brantley to commemorate the end of its security mission, Operation Noble Hawk. The mission, which was in response to a request by President Bush, involved 140 guardsmen assisting law enforcement officials at the state’s 12 commercial airports.	Airport Director John Brantley thanks the National Guard for for assisting in airport security

The guardsmen provided an armed and visible presence in the airports following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Major General William E. Ingram, Jr., adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard, made the presentation to Brantley, who thanked the guard for helping to restore public confidence in flying.

The federal government has asked airports around the country to place uniformed police officers at each security checkpoint. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Police Department began providing the police presence today.

Major General William E. Ingram Jr.
addresses the National Guard unit at RDU

The National guardsmen at RDU were part of a task force of 140 serving North Carolina airports.

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