Missouri transportation chief tapped for national post

Associated Press WriterJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Henry Hungerbeeler, Missouri's transportation director, will head a national task force that will assess terrorist threats to the nation's transportation system.

Hungerbeeler, a retired Air Force colonel with counter terrorism experience, will lead the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Task Force on Transportation Security, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

The task force will review security and emergency preparedness related to bridges, tunnels and other transportation facilities critical to the nation's transportation system and national defense.

The task force will share information and advise other states on highway transportation vulnerability and possible security enhancements. The group will also review current emergency response plans to coordinate them with national transportation and military plans.

"In light of the Sept. 11 tragedy, our nation's transportation system must be ready to withstand any disaster, and support our defense, our safety and our economy," Hungerbeeler said. "My military experience in security operations will be useful as I take on this new role."

Hungerbeeler, who retired after a 30-year military career, trained and led the security force that protects Air Force One and commanded top-secret counter-terrorist operations.

He also advised the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War, commanding special forces on classified missions, and flew and supervising combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

The task force was created by Dean Carlson, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

The task force consists of representatives from nine states, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense and the National Emergency Management Agency. The states are Wisconsin, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

------On the Net:

Transportation Department: http://www.modot.state.mo.us