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HOLLAND, Ohio (AP) — Republican J.R. Majewski insisted Friday that he would keep in the race for a aggressive northwest Ohio congressional seat after The Associated Press reported earlier this week that he misrepresented key parts of his Air Force service.
“I flew into combat zones often, specifically in Afghanistan, and I served my country proud,” Majewski mentioned at a news convention.
The feedback got here amid rising fallout for Majewski, who repeatedly mentioned he deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11 assaults, however as a substitute served a six-month stint loading and unloading planes whereas based mostly in Qatar, based on information obtained by the AP by way of a public information request.
The House Republican campaign arm on Thursday cancelled practically $1 million in promoting that it had deliberate to spend on Majewski’s behalf, an indication that the GOP was successfully giving up hope of unseating longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in a district that was just lately redrawn to favor Republicans. Meanwhile, advocates for veterans questioned why Majewski has declined to supply proof, and even describe forays he made into Afghanistan.
Throughout his campaign, Majewski has repeatedly mentioned he was a fight veteran who served a tour of obligation below “tough” circumstances in Afghanistan, the place by his account he as soon as went over 40 days with out a bathe as a consequence of a scarcity of working water.
His newest remarks amounted to a far much less strong description of what he says he did in the nation. Majewski beforehand mentioned he was deployed to the nation, a time period which refers to orders assigning servicemembers to a particular base or location.
On Friday he mentioned his service concerned flying in and out of Afghanistan from Qatar, however declined to supply extra particulars or proof as a result of he mentioned it was “classified.”
While based mostly in Qatar, Majewski would land at different air bases to switch army passengers, medics and provides, his campaign beforehand mentioned. The campaign didn’t reply repeated and direct questions from the AP earlier than the story was revealed Wednesday about whether or not he was ever in Afghanistan.
They additionally gave no indication that he couldn’t talk about his service as a result of it was “classified,” as Majewski mentioned.
“I was in multiple bases in Afghanistan and the time frame is clear, in 2002,” Majewski mentioned Friday. “We flew in and out of the area of responsibility multiple times. It’s almost impossible for me to tell you where I was and on what day. That’s why my orders are listed as a classified location.”
Experts contacted by the AP say it’s doable that Majewski could have entered the nation. They additionally say Majewski is properly positioned to show it, although Majewski’s campaign declined to take action Friday.
“It was hardly a secret that we were operating in Afghanistan,” mentioned Don Christensen, a retired colonel and former army choose who as soon as served because the Air Force’s chief prosecutor. “It would be pretty easy for him to find a supervisor or coworker that could verify if he was actually there. His (enlisted performance report) would have been signed by his supervisor most likely. That person would know if this was true.”
Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL sniper and Republican who represented Virginia in Congress, mentioned he doesn’t perceive why Majewski’s campaign refused to clarify whether or not or not he ever went to Afghanistan earlier this week.
“Is it possible he went on some night flight to Afghanistan to drop off supplies? Yes it is possible,” mentioned Taylor, who was injured in a fight operation in Ramadi, Iraq, and needed to be evacuated. “But again, he should have answered those questions right away.”
The specialists mentioned the dialogue about whether or not he did or didn’t enter Afghanistan additionally obscures the broader image: Majewski for months has introduced himself as a fight veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, descriptors that point out he got here below hostile hearth whereas stationed in the nation.
The time period “combat veteran” can evoke photos of troopers storming a beachhead or discovering refuge throughout a firefight. But below the legal guidelines and rules of the U.S. authorities, going through reside hearth has little to do with somebody incomes the title.
During the Persian Gulf War, then-President George H.W. Bush designated, for the primary time, international locations used as fight assist areas as fight zones regardless of the low danger of American service members ever going through hostilities. That helped veterans obtain a good tax standing. Qatar, which is now house to the most important U.S. air base in the Middle East, was among the many international locations that obtained the designation below Bush’s government order — a standing that continues to be in impact immediately.
Majewski’s campaign beforehand mentioned he calls himself a fight veteran as a result of the place he operated out of — Qatar — is acknowledged as a fight zone. His army information state he has not obtained a fight medal.
“Everybody plays a role. But you have to be proud of what your contribution was and not try to step on someone else’s,” mentioned Taylor, the previous congressman and Navy SEAL. “Barring him giving some evidence and filing a petition to get a combat ribbon, he’s not a combat veteran.”
Majewski’s campaign has launched a number of paperwork on social media that they are saying both again up his claims or refute components of the AP’s story. None of them handle whether or not or not he was in Afghanistan.
One doc from February 2003, when he was nonetheless enlisted in the Air Force, indicated Majewski was eligible to reenlist. However, the AP reported that when Majewski was discharged a number of months later, his paperwork indicated he was “considered but not selected for reenlistment.”
He additionally claimed that he supplied the AP with an image that exhibits him in Afghanistan. The image, which can also be on his campaign web site, exhibits a bunch in fatigues who’re inside what seems to be a shelter, however doesn’t embrace any indicators of the place it was taken.
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