National Guard Shrinks in NYC, Stops Patrolling Airports

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Some 150 National Guardsmen have been pulled from details patrolling the city's transportation hubs, as part of a restructuring that officials claim will actually make the soldiers more responsive to threats. Guard spokesman Richard Goldberg tells the Post, "We are at more locations now because we're not tied to specific facilities. You'll still see us at Penn Station and the airports, but you'll also see them at critical transport sites, like bus terminals." Last year the National Guard had 430 soldiers based in the city; now there are 280. Another spokesman asserts that because the troops are now stationed out of Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn instead of airports and train stations, they're better equipped to "selectively respond" to emergencies or as cops need reinforcements. Another bonus is that the drawdown will probably save the state over ten million dollars. But their absence has left some commuters, like administrative assistant Donna El-Maadawy, feeling very unguarded; she tells the Post, "I rarely see them anymore. Not having them present will makes me feel uneasy. You just never know when we may need them."

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By John Del Signore in News on August 31, 2009 11:10 AM

Comments [rss]

Matt Joyce

When have terrorists engaged in small arms warfare against ground based installations in the history of the united states? I think you'd have to go back to the days of mexican warlords ( pre 1940s ).

Deploying infantry in transit hubs can only be used for one thing and one thing only... population control. It does nothing to prevent someone from carrying out a terrorist attack, and in fact in the event of a terrorist attack is likely to exacerbate the problems that will occur directly and indirectly as a result of it.

It's security theater. Only an idiot would feel safe with this going on, and those people should be gassed for the good of our civilization.

ANGRYGOD11

Nobody ever said they had any real anti-terrorism training.

When you see the real thing in other countries, then you know, if you didn't already, it's an expensive, costly joke without a punchline.

Brooklyn

I don't blame the guardsmen personally. They just go where they're told to go. But Kabuki is an exact description -- good riddance to their presence. One less uselessly martial symbol I have to tolerate in everyday life here.

eyekantspel

I spent several years in New York's Army National Guard. Their minimal presence would do nothing to deter a real threat, nor would they make a difference in dealing with the aftermath of a situation. They're there for show, and from what I've seen, I'm not impressed. They make the police look good by comparison.

NannyState

Is someone removing the statuary?

Rfive

I've seen them on the trains @ 715AM @ BroadwayNassau/Fulton St. station. They never make me feel safe, exactly the opposite. I feel that more people are going to get hurt as a result of their presence. No disrespect, but I'd rather not see them.

And they don't know how to ride the rush hour subways with those stupid dogs. They should live here for a month and learn how to ride the trains. The idiots stood IN FRONT OF THE DOORS and no one could exit/enter that way. Poorly trained idiots.

hotstepper

i need to see at least 5 a.k.'s during my morning commute to make me feel safe.

longacre

If you see anyone carrying an AK you should actually be very scared...American soldiers don't use Russian guns.

hotstepper

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Practice_AK74.jpg

Spirit of 76

Are you sure that's National Guard issue to be used in the field? Or is the guardsman just getting trained in various weapons, including those used by enemy combatants in case he ever goes into combat and the only working weapon he can get is one from a dead enemy?

Alex

Awesome dog.

TheMactastic

I have 100% respect for the National Guard and what they do.

But I feel no safer when I walk through Grand Central every day and see 6 National Guradsman standing in a circle bullshitting or talking on their cell phones.

drewo

I feel safer if I do NOT see Goons With Guns standing around chatting with each other and checking out the chicks.

UnrepentantFenian

Wow. You're a dick.

drewo

Wow. You must be a goon with a gun.

UnrepentantFenian

No, just someone with alot more respect for the mena and women of our armed forces.

drewo

I would respect them more if they conducted themselves in a professional manner. That is rarely the case imho.

longacre

But their absence has left some commuters, like administrative assistant Donna El-Maadawy, feeling very unguarded...
I don't know what those soldiers' rules of engagement are for a crowded train station, but chances are they are so restrictive that you'd be dead by the time they were allowed to start shooting.

Also, interesting name. Why don't you have a seat over there.

omdoje

What does longacre mean, "Intersting name, have a seat over there"...sounds like a true prejudiced bigot. I don't owe you an explanation, longacre however my name is through MARRIAGE, and why don't YOU go have a seat over there, longacre, and see you is going to help you during a terror attack.

Toby von Meistersinger

It is good that money being saved by not having the security Kabuki theatre that was just psychological warfare aimed at travellers anyway.