WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2008
Alaska National Guard Hit "Crisis Level"
Personnel Shortages Make Aviation Unit In Palin's Home State Most Poorly Staffed In Nation
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Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Logistics Readiness Squadron maneuver an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter onto the loading ramp of a C-17 strategic airlift jet at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Sept. 1, 2008. (Lt. Col. Tim OBrien, Ak. ANG)
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Just six months ago, Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, the Alaska Guard's top officer, warned in an internal memo that "missions are at risk." The lack of qualified airmen, Campbell said, "has reached a crisis level."
The situation has improved since the March 1 memo was written, Campbell said Wednesday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press - but not enough to eliminate his concern that shortages will result in the "burnout" of troops the Guard already has. That could result in missions and equipment being moved out of Alaska.
Campbell installed a new policy that could stop officers from advancing unless they show success at bringing in new members and retaining existing troops.
Campbell is due to receive a third star on Sunday - a promotion approved by Palin, who has authority over the Alaska National Guard. He described Palin as very supportive of the Guard, but said she gives him latitude to manage the force. Governors typically do not have a direct role in day-to-day operations.
Campbell's March 1 memo, sent to Brig. Gen. Deborah McManus, his deputy in charge of Alaska's Air Guard, was posted on a Web site run by Andrew Halcro, a Republican who ran against Palin as an independent in the 2006 Alaska governor's race.
The memo called the low Air Guard personnel levels a "leadership issue" and spelled out a more aggressive recruiting and retention program. As part of that program, Campbell said he would personally approve promotions for colonels, lieutenant colonels and chief master sergeants.
After the no advancement for officers directive was issued and the promotion for Campbell announced, an anonymous Guardsman wrote to Halcro, criticizing the "hypocrisy" of the move.
"The intent [of the no advancement policy] is to 'motivate' these senior leaders to recruit more new people into the ANG. This policy has frozen the advancement of some very deserving individuals who have already earned the right to be promoted. As the Adjutant General, he has the right to institute any plan he wishes. This edict was tolerated by our loyal Guardsmen until the hypocrisy became overwhelming.In a response also posted on Halcro's site, Campbell said that several officers have been promoted, due to what he called "not only high professional competence in their technical career field, but also an ability and understanding of the responsibilities necessary to hold the higher rank."
"General Campbell's promotion will be a 'state' promotion. He will be a three-star general only while on State business. In a very rank-conscious environment, this distinction will not be lost on the other Flag Officers. He will look the part of a three-star general but will not be regarded as one by the very people he needs to work with and influence."
On the recruiting program, Campbell said he was focusing on these ranks so they would understand "their significant responsibility for improving the current manpower problem."
He also said the Alaska Air Guard has only 84 percent of its assigned positions filled, the lowest rating in the country. There are only eight other states below 90 percent. Campbell said the 84 percent rating is higher than the 81 percent he reported in the March memo.
Quote
He also noted that recruiting and retention within the Alaska Air National Guard was only part of the larger responsibilities of the Adjutant General.This promotion is a statement by the Governor of Alaska that the National Guard is the state military force responsible for responding to state issues, at the direction of the Governor, working for the Governor.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig CampbellCampbell pointed out that his promotion is a states' rights issue. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Campbell said, governors around the country became concerned the president could call Guard members to federal service for a state emergency without the governor's consent. That raised the possibility the troops would not be controlled by the governor.
"The National Guard works for the Governor and in Alaska that is a very essential point in our relationships with the federal government," Campbell wrote.
Referring to getting his third star, Campbell told the AP his promotion comes with no extra pay or benefits and reflects his broader stewardship of Alaska's Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, of which the National Guard is one part. Campbell earns about $127,000 annually.
The Air Guard's problems, while important in Alaska, aren't a major national defense issue. The Alaska Air Guard's 176th Wing is about 300 members short of the 1,598 airmen it is authorized to have, according to Campbell's office. Its other primary wing, the 168th, has 641 airmen, about 70 fewer than it needs.
Overall, the Alaska National Guard has about 3,800 troops in its air and ground units.
Yet the relatively small numbers are also reminders that Republicans may be stretching their claims that Palin is qualified to be a heartbeat away from running the world's most powerful military.
In a Wednesday interview with ABC News, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Palin "has been in charge and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities."
Palin's lack of stature in national and international circles is sure to be a recurring theme for Democrats as the presidential campaigns move forward.
The National Guard is a reserve military force made up of state units that serve as part of the first-line defense for the United States.
It can be called up for active duty by the state governors or the U.S. military. It often helps respond to domestic emergencies and disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
Members of the Alaska Army and Air Guard have been sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and other overseas locations before and since Palin was sworn in as governor in December 2006. They've handled duties ranging from training the Afghan National Army to communications support. When on these federal missions, National Guard troops are under the command of the Defense Department and not their governors.
In July 2007, Palin visited Alaska Guard members serving in Kuwait.
Nationwide, the Army National Guard has 361,151 soldiers, 10,000 more than its planned level, according to the National Guard Bureau in Washington. The Air National Guard has 106,643 airmen, just under its approved strength of 106,700.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 72 CommentsThis was one of George W Bush''s biggest blunders. Even John McCain called him on it many times over troop levels in Iraq. Looks like Palin is in the same camp.
This was under Palin''s control. Not a stunning recommendation for being a John McCain heartbeat away from the Presidency.
But the Repuglican presidential candidate hasn''t changed. They''ve put up someone who is a better speaker than McCain (not saying much) to distract from the wooden, squeaky, McClone.
The Republicans are running away from their OWN RECORD! It is the Republicans we are CHANGING AWAY FROM!
And Mr. Senate Insider John McClone, beloved of George Bush and Dik Cheney, isn''t going to bring about change. He''s going to continue the disastrous policies of the Bushit/Cheney regime.
For real change--Barack Obama ''08!
Posted by caliguy55 at 10:19 AM : Sep 04, 2008
I agree with a some of what you say, but Obama does not have any experience either. And he is way over the 90% mark to being a Socialist. Wants to raise taxes on everything. Wants to have total GUN CONTROL.
So, the American people are between a Rock and a Hard Place when trying to decide who to vote for in November.
Posted by pbaird2 at 10:06 AM : Sep 04, 2008
The Governor has no control over who does or does not want to join the National Guard. The people that join the Military now days do so because they love their Country. We are in a war, right or wrong, and people are needed.
The Native people of Alaska are like the Native people across America. They have the highest number of people, percentage wise, joining our Military and serving our Country.
So, if you are so smart why don''t you go and join the Guard somewhere and then you can have a chance to talk.
You don''t even take the time to spell Mrs. Palin''s name right.. as many places as it is in this story.
He also said the Alaska Air Guard has only 84 percent of its assigned positions filled, the lowest rating in the country. There are only eight other states below 90 percent. Campbell said the 84 percent rating is higher than the 81 percent he reported in the March memo."
______________
So now we are telling everyone in the worl where our weaknesses are?
Posted by hbevis at 10:48 AM : Sep 04, 2008
Vote against every incumbent and lets start over. Vote Ron Paul or other in November, send a message.
something else for the GOP to spin!
Excuses Excuses!
He also said the Alaska Air Guard has only 84 percent of its assigned positions filled, the lowest rating in the country. There are only eight other states below 90 percent. Campbell said the 84 percent rating is higher than the 81 percent he reported in the March memo."
______________
So now we are telling everyone in the worl where our weaknesses are?
Posted by im_4_WWJD at 11:08 AM : Sep 04, 2008
Everybody in the World already knows where our weaknesses are. We have many states that are not up to 100% of the people needed to run our National Guard and our other Military Services.
Maybe we should bring back the Draft and Draft you for a start and then we could see if our Military would work better.
"We can tell who CBS is for. Fox News is really about the only true non biased news agency anymore."
Fox News is unbiased?
What the heck have you been smoking - they are as biased as a GW Bush is towards the Republicans.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
"We can tell who CBS is for. Fox News is really about the only true non biased news agency anymore."
Fox News is unbiased?
What the heck have you been smoking - they are as biased as a GW Bush is towards the Republicans.
Wake up and smell the coffee. "
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Posted by mcdazz
Good post. This highlights an important issue - the problem of perception.
If voters concentrate on a single source - for example, the bullying ways of Bill O''Reilly - it shifts their perception of reality.
Stalin understood the power of propaganda. Voters underestimate the corrosive effects of lies told to them by Fox, over time.
This is a serious issue, because it makes us vulnerable to the same kinds of poor decisions which brought the current administration to power.
Posted by ozonmojo at 11:33 AM : Sep 04, 2008
The "chosen one" has been answering questions for the past 19 months, the "hockey mom" just showed up last Friday. Did she think in running for the 2nd highest office in the nation that she would not be scrutinized? Maybe she should stick to being a "hockey mom".
Maybe Levi Johnston can put down his hockey stick and fishing pole long enough to serve his state and country, after all he could do that for his girl friend.
Posted by gophockeymom at 11:42 AM : Sep 04, 2008
Don''t get on the stage...
My take on Mrs. Palin?
Sarah Palin is an Alaskan TREASURE ! The only negative I see in her...is the fact that we will lose the best Governor we have had...at least in my dad''s opinion. ( he has been here 35 years). Sarah is beloved by MOST Alaskans ...80 to 90 percent approval rating,
according to which paper you read. She would make a great leader for the whole country. She has led Alaska for 2 years now. We just adore her! Yes, we all even voted for her! It was a great surprise ...no one knew she was seriously in the running. Her hubby is a commercial fisherman, champion snowmobile racer, and is part Eskimo. She just ( a few weeks ago) pushed through a bill to return $1200.00 to each and every Alaskan from the oil fund to help defray our sky high energy prices. I usually do not discuss politics, but, have received this question from many of our friends. Oh yes, She DOES want to drill in Anwar and build a gas pipeline and attempt to cut the stranglehold the Middle east has on us. She is a real person...not a phony politician. America will be LUCKY to have her serve at a national level. Please tell your wife that we all concur! Regards, B****
Most kids join the military to help pay for their college, remember the GI Bill and the very large bonuses. Don%u2019t forget the commercials to join the National Guard and the reserves, %u201Cone weekend a month and two weeks a year%u201D will get you the education of a life time, and a lot of them gave up their lives for that dream.
This woman is a wreck and should be left in the junkyard of Alaska.
Hmmmm, seems she can''t manage the Alaska national guard problem. How is she going to manage the United States Problems????
She is going to be indicted by her own legislature soon enough and rightly so.
In July 2007, Palin visited Alaska Guard members serving in Kuwait."
And this is somehow Palins fault?
Posted by notelatu at 12:55 PM : Sep 04, 2008
So, what is so wrong with that. The only way that you know is to put it out there and let the people have their say. In this case, the people did not like it and it was changed.
Posted by berniew4 at 01:06 PM : Sep 04, 2008
I am a moderate.
Where is my post about a Fox news ?
Posted by berniew4 at 01:06 PM : Sep 04, 2008
Please explain what you said above a little better.
He has executive experience, he served as an Office in the Military for 22 years.
My take on Mrs. Palin?
Sarah Palin is an Alaskan TREASURE ! The only negative I see in her...is the fact that we will lose the best Governor we have had...at least in my dad''''s opinion. ( he has been here 35 years). Sarah is beloved by MOST Alaskans ...80 to 90 percent approval rating,
according to which paper you read. She would make a great leader for the whole country. She has led Alaska for 2 years now. We just adore her! Yes, we all even voted for her! It was a great surprise ...no one knew she was seriously in the running. Her hubby is a commercial fisherman, champion snowmobile racer, and is part Eskimo. She just ( a few weeks ago) pushed through a bill to return $1200.00 to each and every Alaskan from the oil fund to help defray our sky high energy prices. I usually do not discuss politics, but, have received this question from many of our friends. Oh yes, She DOES want to drill in Anwar and build a gas pipeline and attempt to cut the stranglehold the Middle east has on us. She is a real person...not a phony politician. America will be LUCKY to have her serve at a national level. Please tell your wife that we all concur! Regards, B****
Posted by hbevis at 11:51 AM : Sep 04, 2008
By all MEANS, keep her...
But return those earmarks...
Eighteen months. That''''s it. That''''s her TOTAL and ONLY state government experience.
What''''s worse: She has NOT ONE day of federal government experience. What''''s even worse: She has ZERO foreign policy experience. She just got her passport LAST YEAR.
People said the same thing about "Harry Truman" also. And he did a good of taking over after he got pushed into the job.
Posted by hbevis at 01:15 PM : Sep 04, 2008
I knew Harry Truman, and Sarah Palin is no Harry Truman...
IT MAY BE THAT GOV. PALIN COULD DO A GREAT JOB. HAS ANYONE EVER LOOKED AT THE WAY THE BIG COMPANIES OPERATE. THEY HIRE A CEO FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HE OR SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA AS TO THAT COMPANY IS BEING RUN. BUT, THEY GET INTO IT AND START MAKING CHANGES FOR THE BETTER MOST OF THE TIME.
PEOPLE GET "TUNNEL VISION" AND CAN''T SEE THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM A LOT OF TIME.
I WORKED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR YEARS AND I SAW THAT HAPPEN MANY TIMES.
IT MAY BE THAT GOV. PALIN COULD DO A GREAT JOB. HAS ANYONE EVER LOOKED AT THE WAY THE BIG COMPANIES OPERATE. THEY HIRE A CEO FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HE OR SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA AS TO THAT COMPANY IS BEING RUN. BUT, THEY GET INTO IT AND START MAKING CHANGES FOR THE BETTER MOST OF THE TIME.
PEOPLE GET "TUNNEL VISION" AND CAN''''T SEE THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM A LOT OF TIME.
I WORKED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR YEARS AND I SAW THAT HAPPEN MANY TIMES.
Hey CBS, take a look at the the Nobama and Bill Ayers friendship, or Nobama and Tony Rezko, or Nobama and Rev Wright, or Nobama and the other far left bomb throwers.
It''s something Hillary doesn''t understand - how some complete neophyte came
out of the blue and stole the Dem nomination from her. Obamamania is beyond
politics and reason. It is a true religious cult, whose adherents reject
Christianity yet still believe in Original Sin, transferring it from the
evil of being human to the evil of being white.
Thus Obama has become the white liberals'' Christ, offering absolution from
the Sin of Being White. There is no reason or logic behind it, no faults or
flaws of his can diminish it, no arguments Hillary could make of any kind
can be effective against it. The absurdity of Hypocrisy Clothed In Human
Flesh being their Savior is all the more cause for liberals to worship him:
Credo quia absurdum, I believe it because it is absurd.
Thank heavens that the voting majority of Americans remain Christian and are
in no desperate need of a phony savior.
His candidacy is ridiculous and should not be taken seriously by any
thinking American.
Pass this on to every thinking American you know!
The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No
resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no
understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world
works, no balls, nothing but abstract empty rhetoric devoid of real
substance.
He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of
him is mostly Arab, which he hides but is disclosed by his non-African
Arabic surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply
proclaim his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya. Only a small part of him
is African Black from his Luo grandmother, which he pretends he is
exclusively.
What he isn''t, not a genetic drop of, is ''African-American,'' the descendant
of enslaved Africans brought to America chained in slave ships. He hasn''t a
single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave
owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for
centuries until the British ended it.
Let that sink in: Obama is not the descendant of slaves, he is the
descendant of slave owners. Thus he makes the perfect Liberal Messiah.
(cont)
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