Despite the dust-up between Blanco and Bush over command of the boots on the ground, top military commanders at both the state and federal level said they were satisfied with the separate forces.
Louisiana's Adjutant Gen. Landreneau called the military command ``very integrated'' and said there was no advantage to putting all troops under his control. Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of active-duty forces in North America, agreed. ``From our perspective,'' he said Monday, ``it would not have provided an advantage over the current situation.''
Brig. Gen. Mike Fleming of the Florida National Guard, who oversaw rescue and recovery efforts through four hurricanes last year, has been called into Louisiana as an adviser. Fleming said the twin command is workable if adequately coordinated. He said some important personal ties bind the separate state and federal military commands: Honore, known as the ``Ragin' Cajun,'' is a Louisiana native and has known Landreneau for years. Also, Honore's son serves in Iraq for the Louisiana National Guard, which is under Landreneau's command.
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