Military commander says system for safeguarding against terrorists on planes is working

Air Force general says anti-terror system working

WASHINGTON — The Air Force general in charge of protecting the homeland says the U.S. has been successful in thwarting several potential terrorist incidents since 2001.

Gen. Gene Renaurt (REN-yoo-art), commander of the U.S. Northern Command, says the system is working when it comes to protecting passengers aboard planes. He says the procedures in place for monitoring flights “are proving themselves to be about right.”

The general was attending a ceremony at the Pentagon as details unfolded about a Continental Express flight that was diverted while en route to the Washington area because of a threatening message written on a bathroom mirror.