raffy
Oct 5, 01, 1:46 pm
One hundred National Guard members, eyes straight ahead and true, got their rifles and their final instructions yesterday morning in San Bruno.
"Never point your weapon at anything you're not willing to destroy," barked Sgt. Martin Nunez at the rows of Guard members in green combat uniforms inside the San Bruno armory. "Never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot."
The Guard members were receiving their final day of training before being dispatched to stand watch at Bay Area airports. Beginning today, several dozen Guard members will be stationed at passenger screening stations at San Francisco International Airport.
Nunez referred to his troops as "gentlemen" several times ("These weapons are not a toy, gentlemen"), although several Guard members -- including Sgt. Geri Myhre -- did not appear to fall into that category.
"I'm aware they're not a toy," she said, with a grim smile. "I already know that. My mother used to say that about rubber bands. They're fun until you get your eye poked out."
Myhre, of Sacramento, said she was "not terrified, just a little nervous" about her duty.
"But there's a lot of camaraderie here," she added, "and we all hope our presence will build confidence on the part of the public."
The Guard members stood at parade rest on the basketball court inside the armory, waiting for their weapons and talking with pride and a trace of apprehension about their airport duty.
"If I were a passenger, I would be glad to see us there," said Sgt. Hyler Howard of Oakland. "I'm not scared, I'm ready. The moment you put the boots on,
you feel it. You're giving something back to your country. It's a good feeling."
Pvt. Jesus Orozco of Los Angeles said it was "very important for the economy to get passengers back" on airplanes.
"Is this scary? Sure, war is scary," he said. "But we're prepared, and we're eager to do our jobs and help the public feel safe."
About 700 Guard members are being trained this week for airport duty. Today,
they will take up posts at Los Angeles International and San Francisco International airports. Eventually, they will serve at all California airports and other sites requested by the governor. Part of their training includes secret briefings from Federal Aviation Administration experts who are explaining specifically what to look for at checkpoints and how to handle problems.
Nunez, the weapons instructor, told the troops to carry their guns unloaded in the "ready" position at the airport, with fingers off the triggers.
After receiving their M-16 rifles, Guard members operated the bolts and the safety catches and inspected the parts. If a soldier allows his weapon to jam, Nunez barked, "then you better hope your buddy was paying attention so he can pick up your slack."
Sgt. Edward McKnight of San Diego accidentally dropped the black charging rod from his rifle but quickly picked it up before Nunez could spot the gaffe.
"That would have cost me 20 push-ups," he said, shaking his head. "If I had dropped the entire rifle, it would have cost me 50 push-ups."
The training took place directly beneath the flight path of planes departing from San Francisco International, and Nunez had to bark his orders over the roar of at least one Hawaiian-bound jet.
"Never point your weapon at anything you're not willing to destroy," barked Sgt. Martin Nunez at the rows of Guard members in green combat uniforms inside the San Bruno armory. "Never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot."
The Guard members were receiving their final day of training before being dispatched to stand watch at Bay Area airports. Beginning today, several dozen Guard members will be stationed at passenger screening stations at San Francisco International Airport.
Nunez referred to his troops as "gentlemen" several times ("These weapons are not a toy, gentlemen"), although several Guard members -- including Sgt. Geri Myhre -- did not appear to fall into that category.
"I'm aware they're not a toy," she said, with a grim smile. "I already know that. My mother used to say that about rubber bands. They're fun until you get your eye poked out."
Myhre, of Sacramento, said she was "not terrified, just a little nervous" about her duty.
"But there's a lot of camaraderie here," she added, "and we all hope our presence will build confidence on the part of the public."
The Guard members stood at parade rest on the basketball court inside the armory, waiting for their weapons and talking with pride and a trace of apprehension about their airport duty.
"If I were a passenger, I would be glad to see us there," said Sgt. Hyler Howard of Oakland. "I'm not scared, I'm ready. The moment you put the boots on,
you feel it. You're giving something back to your country. It's a good feeling."
Pvt. Jesus Orozco of Los Angeles said it was "very important for the economy to get passengers back" on airplanes.
"Is this scary? Sure, war is scary," he said. "But we're prepared, and we're eager to do our jobs and help the public feel safe."
About 700 Guard members are being trained this week for airport duty. Today,
they will take up posts at Los Angeles International and San Francisco International airports. Eventually, they will serve at all California airports and other sites requested by the governor. Part of their training includes secret briefings from Federal Aviation Administration experts who are explaining specifically what to look for at checkpoints and how to handle problems.
Nunez, the weapons instructor, told the troops to carry their guns unloaded in the "ready" position at the airport, with fingers off the triggers.
After receiving their M-16 rifles, Guard members operated the bolts and the safety catches and inspected the parts. If a soldier allows his weapon to jam, Nunez barked, "then you better hope your buddy was paying attention so he can pick up your slack."
Sgt. Edward McKnight of San Diego accidentally dropped the black charging rod from his rifle but quickly picked it up before Nunez could spot the gaffe.
"That would have cost me 20 push-ups," he said, shaking his head. "If I had dropped the entire rifle, it would have cost me 50 push-ups."
The training took place directly beneath the flight path of planes departing from San Francisco International, and Nunez had to bark his orders over the roar of at least one Hawaiian-bound jet.