The State : Guard Chief Is Confirmed

Overriding charges of a “cover-up” involving the fatal crash of an Air National Guard jet fighter, the state Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Brig. Gen. Robert C. Thrasher as commander of the California National Guard. Thrasher, whose appointment to head the 26,000-member Army and Air National Guard organization drew heavy fire from former guard generals and the widow of one of two air guardsmen killed in the disputed crash, was approved 29 to 1. Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) coupled his “aye” vote with assurance that operations of the Fresno Air Guard base where the two fliers were assigned will be investigated in the first phase of a proposed examination of the entire California National Guard organization. Thrasher has denied any knowledge of an alleged cover-up of the accident investigation and said he would not object to an investigation.