Sanford to head for Air Force reserve post

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"It will be easier to catch me there than it is when I'm on the road in some far-off corner of South Carolina," Sanford told reporters.

The governor is scheduled to begin Air Force Reserve officer training Sunday for two weeks at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. A spokesman said Tuesday the governor has no choice as to the timing and cannot get out of the training.

Sanford compared his absence to that of former Gov. Carroll Campbell, who once spent a month away on a trade mission to southeast Asia.

"Southeast Asia, that's a hard place to get a hold of somebody," he said. "They are going to know exactly where I am at every moment."

Sanford said the White House called this week asking his chief of staff how to reach Sanford in the event of an emergency while he was in training.

"He said, 'What are you guys talking about? He's in your jurisdiction. I think you'll be able to reach him through the Pentagon.'"

Sanford said other governors have left the state for weeks at a time as well, though he acknowledged they did not leave during a war or while the Legislature was in session.

"If a plane flies into a building, that can happen in session or out of session," Sanford said. "In addressing that need, I'll be very, very reachable."