Reply #5: Here's a related AP story from 7/14/1999

[Tummler]

In case anyone needs a more mainstream source than the one linked in the original post -- note that the AP story has a different name for the Lubbock newspaper:

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- In 1978 campaign literature, George W. Bush said he served in the Air Force, a claim his presidential campaign says is legitimate based on time he spent training and on alert while a member of the Texas Air National Guard.

**snip**

A pullout ad from The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on May 4, 1978 shows a huge picture of Bush with a ''Bush for Congress'' logo on the front. On the back, a synopsis of his career says he served ''in the U.S. Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard where he piloted the F-102 aircraft.''

**snip**

Asked about the statement that the Texas governor served in the Air Force, spokeswoman Karen Hughes said Tuesday that it was all ''accurate.'' She said that while Bush was attending flight school from November 1968 to November 1969, he was considered to be on active duty for the U.S. Air Force. Also, at several times when he was serving in the Guard, he was placed on alert and considered to be on active duty as well, she said.

**snip**

Anyone in the Air National Guard is always considered a guardsmen and not a member of the active-duty Air Force, according to an Air Force spokeswoman in the Pentagon. A National Guard member may be called to active duty for pilot training or another temporary assignment and receive active-duty pay at the time, but they remain Guard members.

More at the link ...