Just in case it's due to that, and not to invincible ignorance . . .
The "AWOL" accusation has been disproved over and over again. Anybody who served in the Guard or Reserves at the time (including my husband) is familiar with the process of "making up drills" because NG and AR folks also had civilian jobs as a general rule and had to adjust while wearing two hats. My husband made up drills in NJ, MD, NC, and GA.
The NG was not a good place to hide out from overseas service (another squadron from the same TANG unit had been called up earlier), and flying one of the most dangerous aircraft in the fleet is not a job for a coward.
And just FYI, anybody who flies in the Viking has to wear a flight suit for safety reasons (you could have noted, --but are probably too blinded by your prejudices -- that then NSA Rice was wearing one as well).
BUH BYE TROLL!