Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Tours Kodiak Launch Complex

by Ron Devito on Sunday, April 26, 2009 19:27 EDT

Governor Sarah Palin visited the Kodiak Launch Complex Thursday April 23, 2009 located at Narrow Cape, AK on Kodiak Island. The Governor got an up close and personal tour of the facility by CEO Dale Nash and President and COO Tom Case. The State of Alaska has made a significant financial contribution to the construction of this facility. The KLC success rate has brought a growing number of new customers and diverse business opportunities to Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation and the Kodiak Launch Complex. KLC is poised for significant growth as the vital role of the space-based systems becomes increasingly important to our nation. The launch facility is the newest and best equipped anywhere. AADC will provide support for future MDA target missions as well as two missions with the United States Air Force in 2009.

Commentary

The Kodiak Launch Complex is a very important installation for the State of Alaska. Governor Palin referenced this facility on April 9, 2009, when she expressed concern about the Obama administration’s intent to cut the missile defense budget by $1.4 billion. Earlier that week, both North Korea and Russia tested ICBMs.

Site visits and field walks are considered staple activities of project managers. Higher-level executives typically forgo them — usually at their own peril. Governor Palin is a hands-on executive. She likes to know the inner workings of that which she manages and administers. Operational knowledge always helps an executive make better and more informed decisions.

References

Photo gallery. (2009, April 23). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved April 26, 2009 from: http://gov.state.ak.us/photos.php

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Tagged as: executive experience, kodiak launch facility

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Editor and Publisher, US for Palin; LAN Infrastructure PM; IFR PPL; fishing, shooting.

  • edwards

    Sarah had a good issue to sink her teeth into – the Sebelius nomination to HHS Secretary – but the swine flu pandemic has overtaken the issue. The public's #1 priority is protecting Americans from the virus, and getting an HHS Secretary in place, no matter who it is, and no matter what that person's views on abortion or any other subject, is secondary (if that). Sarah (SarahSixPack.com) is losing this battle, which might have been won if not for the pandemic. Timing is everything.

  • Mike Sirofchuck

    You know, the KLC didn't launch a single rocket in all of 2009. The last launch was December 2008 and the next tentatively scheduled launch is for May 2010. They are entirely dependent on federal funds to operate and maintain the facility. I thought Sarah Palin didn't support government handouts, especially for businesses that can't support themselves.

    • Ron Devito

      Mike,

      There are exceptions to every rule. KLC is a critical installation for AK's missile defense system. In the months prior to leaving office, Governor Palin came out strongly against the Obama administration for cutting missile defense budgets, when if anything they should have been increased.

      Governor Palin is not against federal handouts for infrastructure, construction, or defense projects, provided they do not breach the Tenth Amendment — that is come with strings controlling state affairs, and provided they are not silly pork barrel projects (like researching the mating habits of fleas for instance) . She accepted 55% of the stimulus funds allocated her state for precisely the projects I described; accepted most of the remainder with conditions she specified; and ultimately vetoed a small portion that did come with strings attached.

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