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Fighter Jet Patrols Over Large Cities to be Cut
Monday, March 18, 2002
By Eric Schmitt
The New York Times

24/7 protection diverts personnel better used elsewhere, officials say

WASHINGTON -- NYT
The Bush administration has decided to stop round-the-clock patrols by fighter jets over New York and to reduce intermittent combat flights over other major U.S. cities, senior defense officials said on Sunday.

The 24-hour jet patrols will continue over Washington, the officials said.

They said stricter airport security, stronger cockpit doors and more federal marshals on flights have sufficiently reduced the threat of attacks to allow the military to scale back patrols.

Under new procedures that could take effect this week, the military will place Air Force fighter jets on alert at selected bases around the country. Scores of fighters stand ready at 30 bases nationwide, but those numbers are likely to be reduced gradually over the next few months, officials said.
(More: The Albany Times Union News Source)
2002 © The New York Times.

Dan