Rumsfeld bristled when one reporter asked for a comment on critics who maintain the war on terrorism limited the ability of the National Guard to repond to this natural disaster at home. His answer: “That’s just flat wrong.” Earlier in the Tuesday briefing, Rumsfeld noted that there are more than 300,000 Guardsmen who are not deployed overseas right now. “They are available for relief and security efforts in the United States, should they be necessary,” he said.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
