Below The Beltway

Last week, during her rather disastrous interview with Katie Couric on the subject of foreign policy, Sarah Palin repeated the assertion that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her some sort of special insight on foreign policy matters:

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

The only problem is that defense of American air space is the province of NORAD, and the Alaska Governor’s office isn’t even alerted when NORAD detects a possible threat:

WASHINGTON – When Russian bombers approach American airspace and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin’s phone doesn’t ring.

The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise.

“She doesn’t have any role in that process,” Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News.

“The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander” – Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said.

Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians.

“It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America – where do they go? It’s Alaska,” Palin told CBS’ Katie Couric.

“It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation,” she said.

Moscow’s bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, though they have not violated it, during Palin’s governorship, officials said.

When F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain’s running mate was not speed-dialed with the news.

“The commander does not call the governor,” Herritage said.

Memo to the McCain Campaign — can you please just stop trying to insult our intelligence on this one ?