COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday morning that he will not resign as governor as he fulfills his military obligation in the event of war.

Sanford discussed his service in the Air Force Reserve during a news conference at his office.

Sanford said Tuesday that he is prepared to hand over the reins of the state temporarily should his unit be called to active duty.

Sanford, 42, joined the reserves about a year ago and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, based in Charleston.

He said that he has no idea when or if his unit will be called.

Sanford had a meeting with Lt. Governor Andre Bauer on Tuesday, where Sanford told Bauer that he would keep the commitment he has made.

"The bottom line for me is that I made a commitment and I am going to keep it," Sanford wrote in a letter to Bauer, released afterward. "Therefore, as to any orders I receive I will do just as anyone else in my unit and follow them."

Read Sanford's Letter To Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer

Should Sanford be called to active duty, he could temporarily step aside, making Bauer the acting governor.

Ben Mustiain, assistant chief counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, said that the procedure is spelled out in the state constitution.

According to Article 4, Section 12, if the governor decides he is not able to discharge his duties, he sends a letter to the Senate President Pro Tem (currently Sen. Glenn McConnell) and Speaker of the House (currently Rep. David Wilkins) telling them of his decision.

Bauer would then assume the duties of governor.

"In the event my unit is activated, I have full confidence in your abilities along with those of Speaker Wilkins and Senator McConnell," Sanford wrote. "Should that happen, I will work closely with each of you to ensure that the agenda I laid out for our state last week is fulfilled."

At whatever time the governor decides he is able to resume his duties, he sends another letter to the same leaders and resumes being governor, Mustiain told News 4.

"Gov. Sanford took a brave stand and made the right decision," Wilkins said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon. "He is a man of honor and integrity and I applaud the message he is sending about the importance of duty and service to our great nation at this critical time in our history."

Sanford drew criticism in recent days, after he said he might not be able to go with his unit if it was deployed.

Col. Chris King, an Air Force Reserve spokesman in Charleston, said that Sanford's unit has not been notified it has been called up.

The order of succession after the governor is lieutenant governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate and Speaker of the House.