Alaska National Guard General Changes Story; Palin Promotes

[Joanne98]

When John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate, the campaign immediately began touting her experience--both foreign and domestic--as "commander-in-chief" of the Alaska National Guard. But the reality of the situation--that Palin actually had little to do with the National Guard quickly became apparent. In fact, the idea was undercut severely by comments made by the actual commander of the Alaska National Guard--its Adjutant General, Major General Craig Campbell. When that happened, it eventually turned into somewhat of a national joke, culminating in the humiliation of McCain/Palin campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds on CNN when he tried to promote Palin's "foreign policy" experience during the Republican National Convention.

It was getting bad for the McCain campaign because they couldn't afford to lose the "experience" argument to the Obama campaign.

But suddenly--and strangely--the commander of the Alaska National Guard, Major General Campbell, changed his story. By the end of the convention, he was praising Palin's experience, talking on TV about how she had taken control of Alaska's National Guard operations and how she was a "great" leader.

Interestingly enough, Palin promoted him with his third star--to the rank of Lieutenant General--only three days later.

Continued>>>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brandon-friedman/alaska-national-guard-gen_b_125083.html

[ErinBerin84]

1. well, it looks like the McCain campaign's "trip to Alaska" was a smashing success.

:puke:

[AuntPatsy]

10. Exactly, if enough people stood together they could not intimidate so many....

because in reality, there are way more of us then them and they know it...

[dkf]

2. A system of rewards and punishments...just like training doggies.

[me b zola]

13. Sarah Pavlov

I can't wait for one of the dogs to get tired of being screwed with and bites her hand.

[dkf]

14. She's got some real authoritarian attitudes.

Scary.

[Benhurst]

3. Sarah is a great military leader.

And I heard tell she killed a bear when she was only three.

The World's Only Superpower
:patriot:
Bombs Away!

[Aviation Pro]

9. Oh, she's a military fucking genius alright.....

...he Sarah, why don't you lead a battalion of mechanized infantry before you proclaim your status as a "great warrior." She sounds more and more like that other military fucking genius, Kim Il Sung.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

4. TOO BAD DON KNOTS MISSED HIS CHANCE

[renate]

5. one of the scariest aspects of the way they're hushing everybody up

Not one person--that I've heard of, anyway--has refused to change their tune or has come forward to say "These people are intimidating me." And I doubt it's because it's not happening. I suppose the pastor who said that he thinks her faith will inform her job performance might be an exception, but he could also be saying that while thinking he's doing her a favor.

Whoever is talking to the people who knew Sarah Palin is doing a mighty good job of shutting them up. I would like to know how they can do this with 100% efficiency. :scared:

[psychmommy]

16. yeah like the folks in the ethics case now have to be

subpoenaed. sounds like witness tampering was going on in ak. sounds like somebody is laying down the heavy hand in ak.

[Aviation Pro]

6. Air Force, not a pilot, not a soldier.....

Major General Craig E. Campbell is the adjutant general for the State of Alaska, also serving as the commander of the Alaska National Guard and the commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. He is responsible to provide Army and Air National Guard military forces, a State Defense Force, and a Navy Militia that are fully prepared to protect Alaska from any threat, disaster, or emergency. He is also responsible to ensure that Alaska’s National Guard forces are ready to deploy worldwide and accomplish military missions in support of the national defense strategy. As adjutant general and commissioner for the State of Alaska, he is responsible for emergency services, homeland security, veteran affairs, a Counter-Drug Support Team, a Civil Support Team, and a Youth Challenge Program.

Major General Campbell received his commission in 1974 after graduating from the Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Tulsa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree. Upon completion of the basic Air Traffic Control Officer Program, he was assigned to Travis Air Force Base, where he received certifications in both the air traffic control tower and radar approach control operations. His subsequent assignments included numerous operational and staff positions in air traffic control at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Elmendorf Air Force Base. He joined the California Air National Guard in 1981 as the Chief Air Traffic Control Operations Officer, 234th Combat Communications Squadron, Hayward Air National Guard Base. In 1990, he was selected as Commander, 168th Resource Management Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, Eielson Air Force Base. His career with the Alaska Air National Guard includes extensive accomplishments, including development of the Alaska Air National Guard 1998 Long Range Plan which was used as the basis for the 2004 Alaska Air National Guard Transformation Plan. Following graduation from Naval War College in 1999, he served as the Executive Support Staff Officer, Alaska Air National Guard until being selected in 2000 as the Vice Commander, 168th Air Refueling Wing, a position he held until 2003. On 3 January 2003, he was selected by Governor Frank Murkowski to serve as the adjutant general of Alaska and Commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.

[Barack_America]

7. My goodness, for someone so far away from the Bush Administration.

She certainly knows how to fit right in.

It's as if she and they are kindred spirits.

[atreides1]

8. It's Amazing

That the integrity of an individual can be bought with a piece of metal! Well, Judas got 30 pieces of silver, so General Campbell gets a silver star!

[Benhurst]

12. Napoleon Bonaparte:

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon"

15 July 1815.

[Skwmom]

11. This needs to be in an AD.

[TooRaLoo]

24. seconded. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

15. I think in this case, the flip-flop was too little, too late.

What still remains in the collective memory is Campbell Brown's take-down of a McPalin idiot... And it's ironic that I happened to have had the channel on to witness that exchange... And believe me, I can't stand Brown... But of all people, I was glad to see her turn her venom on a repuke trying to spin a fantastical story.

This incident showcased the absurdity of a totallaly fraudulent bio of a major party candidate and the lengths that some would go to justify it.

[kennetha]

17. But the main thing about this is

That the blogosphere has to stop making amateur mistakes and accusations. Governors around the country ARE commanders in chief of the National Guards in their state when they are deployed on state matters. They are not, however, in the Federal Chain of command.

That doesn't distinguish Palin from any other governor. So why would our side pick a fight on the issue about the National Guard. Just move on from this one. There's nothing to be gained from an argument over this.

[glitch]

18. So much for honor. nt

[AtomicKitten]

19. My guess ... thumb screws.

[JohnWxy]

20. She is learning how to be "a good ole boy" network member real fast.

She's a true Republican! As honest and strait-forward as any con-man.

[krkaufman]

21. OK, so if Palin *does* have responsibility/authority over the AK Nat'l Guard....

... then the responsibility for this falls at her feet...

Palin's national guard faces a crisis in personnel
By RICHARD LARDNER / Associated Press Writer
Published: September 4th, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Alaska National Guard, which Republicans are pointing to as an important national-security credential for vice presidential choice Sarah Palin, has personnel shortages that make its aviation units the most poorly staffed in the nation.

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."

[crickets]

22. Good catch. -nt

[Poiuyt]

23. kick

[mitchum]

25. Blowing ROTC students during all those years in college hardly...

qualifies as "military leadership"

[Coexist]

26. ...

[rainbow4321]

27. Promotion not going over well with AK Nat'l Guard members

http://www.andrewhalcro.com/a_filtered_letter_to_the_governor

Due to the valid concerns about possible retribution for speaking out and the prospect that some may feel intimidated not to speak out at all, I'm publishing the content of the email here on my website so the governor can be advised accordingly without putting any of the guardsmen at risk of being identified.

Craig Campbell, the Commissioner of DMVA and the Adjutant General of Alaska made a policy that there would be no Alaska Air National Guard promotions to Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel or Chief Master Sergeant without his personal approval.


The intent 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.


Evidently, General Campbell is receiving an unprecedented and undeserved promotion to three-star rank on Sept 7. The Guardsmen found out about this travesty when a call went out for volunteers to fill the room for his ceremony. The response was almost non-existent.