SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, another top story that we're following this morning, the military is stepping up its presence around some cities that are considered likely terrorist targets. U.S. jets are conducting random patrols over several major cities. And defense officials say more surface to air missile systems could be headed to the New York City area. National security correspondent David Ensor has more for us from Washington this morning -- David, good morning.</s>DAVID ENSOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad. Well, as you say, U.S. officials remain concerned about the high quantity and quality of intelligence suggesting that al Qaeda wants to attack the United States or a U.S. target in the holiday season or thereafter. The intelligence suggests New York, Los Angeles, Washington and Las Vegas are of particular interest to the group, as well as some smaller locations, as you mentioned earlier. Security has been tightened at Los Angeles Airport, with no curbside drop offs allowed. Domestic security officials say that some foreign flight crews are being held for interviews for up to an hour at that airport and elsewhere in the United States when they arrive. Officials say they have long worried about a pro-al Qaeda pilot coming towards this country. Last year, two Saudi airline pilots were banned from flying to the United States. The so-called chatter among would be terrorists and their affiliates, say U.S. officials, is that they hope to pull off "something big" with lots of casualties. Some are even talking about a bigger event than 9/11. Now, whether this is boasting, wishful thinking or a real plan is not entirely clear. But U.S. authorities are, needless to say, taking no chances. As you mentioned, the Pentagon has scheduled some air patrols over Washington. They may be putting them over other cities soon. Theyve put surface to air missiles in place around this city. Intelligence on law enforcement officials who you would not normally expect to find in their offices today, in Christmas Eve, are in their offices. The lights are on -- Soledad.</s>O'BRIEN: National security correspondent David Ensor for us this morning. David, thank you. Likely Terrorist Targets>
Military Stepping Up Presence Around Cities Considered Likely Terrorist Targets