Guard bolsters Logan security

The National Guardsmen cut imposing figures, wearing fatigues, sidearms, and batons. For some passengers at Logan International Airport yesterday they were a comforting presence, providing a sense of security in what has become, once again, a tense time to fly.

But some said they could see little point to their presence, noting that some roamed the airport, sometimes performing specific tasks but at other times seeming merely to be observing.

``I think it's probably overkill," said Michael Andrawes , 28, who was on his way to Raleigh, N.C. ``I'm not sure what additional benefits they have over the security that is already here . . . It just kind of looked like two guys in military uniforms walking around just looking at people."

Governor Mitt Romney on Thursday ordered some 100 National Guard members to report for duty at Logan for the first time since the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Romney said they would remain at the airport indefinitely to help the Transportation Security Administration and State Police handle the burden of additional searches of passengers at airport gates to prevent travelers from taking banned liquids on board.

``It's for this reason that we're calling out the National Guard, so that they can provide the additional manpower, not only for the regular functions that the National Guard might perform in this kind of circumstance, but for the gate screenings," Romney said. ``We anticipate that they will be deployed at gates doing those gate checks."

Guardsmen were seen in some places performing those checks, but in several places around the ariport, they appeared mainly to watch. About five minutes before a midafternoon flight to Washington, a reporter observed two Guard members dressed in camouflage and black caps coming to a gage and standing at both sides of the entrance. They watched as passengers boarded the plane, but no one was stopped. Eight minutes after arriving, they left.

``I just think that this is just a Band-Aid," said Alina Mason , 25, a law student at Tulane University who was also flying to Raleigh.

National Guard officials said 50 guardsmen patrolled at any given time at Logan yesterday, in a mission dubbed Operation Firm Resolve. They were to perform gate checks, watch for suspicious behavior, and monitor entrances to secured areas, the officials said.

``We're trained, ready and able to perform this mission, and that's exactly what we're doing," said Major Peter Lucht, a spokesman for the Massachusetts National Guard.

Some 100 Massachusetts guardsmen were activated. One hundred were yesterday deputized by Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral in order to give them arrest powers. No arrests were reported yesterday. New York and California are the only other states so far to send National Guard units to patrol airports.

Travel at Logan generally went easier yesterday, compared with Thursday's chaos and long delays. Still, many travelers were nervous a day after the arrest of terror suspects in London. The presence of National Guard troops eased that for some. ``To me the important thing is to go home safe and sound to my family," said Kevin Ladd , 43, of Chapel Hill, N.C., adding that he felt safe with the Guard members present. ``These threats are real."

``Anything they can do to make people feel more secure," said Peter Ruggie, 35, was on his way to LaGuardia Airport in New York City.

The Massachusetts Port Authority added between 25 and 50 workers to assist passengers with questions and provide envelopes so they could put banned items in the mail. The TSA placed additional screeners at gates to randomly check bags as passengers boarded their flights. Several teams trained in behavior detection roamed the airport looking for suspicious behavior, according to Ann Davis, spokeswoman for the agency.

The TSA on Thursday banned all liquids, lotions, and gels in carry-on bags. The only exceptions are for baby formula and prescription medications, which must be presented for inspection.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.