Unpaid Katrina tab has (Oregon) Guard hurting

[TomInTib]

Unpaid Katrina tab has Guard hurting
Relief work - An overdue $2.7 million reimbursement leaves the Oregon National Guard short of operating cash
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
MICHELLE COLE
The Oregonian

SALEM -- The Oregon National Guard says it's in bad financial shape because the federal government and Louisiana have not paid the $2.7 million they owe the Guard for relief and law enforcement work last year after Hurricane Katrina.

If the Guard doesn't receive the money soon, it will have to appeal to the Legislature's Emergency Board for more cash or be forced to close its 41 armories located throughout the state and possibly even two air bases, Capt. Mike Braibish, an Oregon National Guard spokesman, said Monday.

The Oregon Guard would still have federal money to pay for training and activities. But it would run out of state money budgeted for maintenance and operations by December, Braibish said.

When the call came for help last year from the Gulf Coast, the Oregon Guard dispatched 1,112 members to lend aid to the region. On Oct. 24, the Oregon Guard also sent an invoice to the state of Louisiana seeking $2.7 million to cover salary and other expenses.

plenty more at:

http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/115681832735260.xml?oregonian?lcpl&coll=7

[dogday]

1. Correct me if I am wrong, but why so far away?

WTF, in Oregon? Was there no other guard units closer to NO than that and if not, we are in deep shit people.....

[Monkeyman]

3. IL went no payment as of yet oops that right they send them to Iraq

That's their payment

[AnneD]

2. Good Luck...

Getting money owed to Texas and Houston (for aid housing healthcare schools etc) was like pulling teeth. It took every influental Texan we had to get reimbursed. The school district almost went into the red over it.

[earth mom]

4. Oregon is a blue state...

NO DOUBT this is reTHUGlican payback! Bastards!!! :grr:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. my son is going to Japan for cold weather training...

"The Oregon Guard would still have federal money to pay for training and activities. But it would run out of state money budgeted for maintenance and operations by December, Braibish said."

but he may not have a base to come back to. :(

[TomInTib]

6. I am curious - why Japan?

Are we paying Japan?

Is there a lack of suitably cold terrain in the US where this could be done much more efficiently?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. I asked too. He said ...

"Mom, I don't care! I get to go to Japan!"

had to agree with him there. :)

on edit: joint training with Japan Army, I found this...

Army Maj. Gen. Elbert N. Perkins, commander of U.S. forces in Japan, said the exercise, which is more commonly known as "Operation North Wind" provides U.S. forces a unique opportunity to exchange doctrinal concepts, skills, and knowledge as well as develop long-lasting personal friendships.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2004/n03162004_200403166.html

[TomInTib]

8. Thanks

I sometimes forget that we have joint training exercises, having never had that particular luxury.

Hope he has a large time.

[acmejack]

9. Camp Drum in Watertown New York.

It is were the Army has traditionally done this type of training, so it is a very good question!