Yes, but in this time of national emergency, tours of duty could be extended and retirements deferred. We could start immediately with cadre levels at all the airfields from this pool and flesh them out as time goes on.

There's too much at stake, and the record of private sector security screening at our airfields is not good.

I am not willing to risk the lives of our citizens and prosperity of our nation by relying on rent-a-cops for national defense.

If the federal government has any responsibility it is to "provide for the common defense." Airfield security is a job for the United States Air Force.

sp