Sanford heads to Air Force Reserve training

COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford, the only governor in the nation with an active military obligation, packed up his office files Friday as he prepared to report for Air Force Reserve officer training this weekend.

For the next two weeks, Mr. Sanford wants to be just the lanky guy in fatigues with first lieutenant bars at Maxwell Air Force Base near Montgomery, Ala. As the war plays out in Iraq, South Carolina's chief executive will be sitting in a classroom and going through drills.

"I think it will be a fascinating time to be locked down on an Air Force base for two weeks of your life," Mr. Sanford said.

"Two weeks is going to be easy" compared with time apart while her husband was in Washington, Jenny Sanford said. Every night he's away from home, Mr. Sanford calls before the children's bedtime.

"We are going to miss him," she said. But "he's not going to Iraq or Kuwait."

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The Sanfords, however, know that's a possibility after the governor completes his training.

Mr. Sanford must complete officer training as a minimum requirement for his medical service officer position with the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base. His job is a nonmedical role that deals with the logistics of caring for the sick and wounded.

Mr. Sanford also has to complete the Reserve's health services administration school, either in person or through correspondence courses.

And he will continue to handle many of the affairs of state.

A State Law Enforcement Division agent has been assigned to protect Mr. Sanford. The agent is also in the Air Force Reserve and will fulfill a two-week training requirement while at Maxwell.

--From the Saturday, March 22, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle