November 19, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Few actually have read report on general’s flights

Few of the people who have commented publicly on the results of an investigation into allegedly improper flights taken by Maj. Gen. Ernest Park have read the report.

Words such as “cleared” and “groundless” have been used by those who support Maine’s adjutant general; “cover up” and “whitewash” by those who support Col. Richard Wright who first aired the accusations about four months ago.

The report also found that Wright’s reassignment was not a reprisal for his whistle-blowing activities.

Yet according to officials in possession of the report, there are only two or three copies in the state, one of them in the hands of Rep. Joseph E. Brennan, Democratic candidate for governor who also serves on the House Armed Servics Committee.

A statement released by Brennan’s office Friday said, “The congressman has reviewed the report. He concurs with the Inspector General’s Office that Department of Defense resources should be used economically. And he supports the increased scrutiny of flight records called for in the report.”

Investigators looked into allegations that Park had made improper flights with the KC 135Es of the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard. The report was released Wednesday, for official use only. That day, the National Guard Bureau wrote a letter to Gov. John R. McKernan on the report, saying that the report indicated that Park was technically within regulations. It further stated that the reassignment was legitimate.

Based on the letter, McKernan issued a release saying that Park had been cleared and that Wright’s reassignment was proper.

The official word from the 101st Air Refueling Wing is that the unit regards the matter as closed and that morale remains high. Although Brig. Gen. Nicholas Eremita, wing commander, had not read the report, his press spokesman said that with the entire affair behind them they could devote their entire attention to Operation Desert Shield.


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