Yet this transfer was on grounds that it met requirements for "equivalent duty" in that Bush could still study flying manuals and take other lessons to hone his readiness.
The records released so far are unclear as to exactly when Bush headed to Alabama. He submitted his application in September 1972 for the 187th and requested -- and received -- the transfer for September, October and November of that year.
But back in Texas, his superiors were not happy. While still under their jurisdiction, he was suspended from flying for "failure to accomplish annual medical examination," effective Aug. 1.
Any pilot knows that he must submit to physicals, especially if he hopes to prove his fitness and keep his wings. The records do not state why Bush did not accomplish the exams. In 1999, campaign officials said Bush wanted to wait and take his medical exam with a doctor he knew in Houston.
On Friday, White House communications director Dan Bartlett said Bush did not take the physical because he knew he was transferring to Alabama and would be in a nonflying status there.
The pay records released by the White House last week indicate that Bush did not show up for any Guard duty for more than six months, between April 16, 1972, while still in Texas, to Oct. 28, 1972, presumably while in Alabama.
According to the White House's interpretation of those pay sheets, Bush performed Guard tasks at the Montgomery base on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, and again Nov. 11-14, shortly after the Senate election there.
The White House has not provided a roster of Alabama guardsmen who remember Bush, and most veterans of the Alabama squadron cannot recall him at all. But Republican operatives did release the name of Bill Calhoun.
Calhoun, who now lives in the Atlanta area, said he was a supervisor in the Alabama squadron and remembered Bush because he and Bush were the only Republicans in a squadron that otherwise was full of "George Wallace Democrats."
He said Bush signed in "probably from four weekends to six weekends" and usually spent his time in Calhoun's upstairs office reading flight magazines and pilot accident reports -- which was considered acceptable duty.
"He was very punctual and very dedicated and never complained about it," Calhoun said. "A typical fighter pilot, a little more quiet than some of us. And drinking and carousing -- that was typical of a fighter pilot."
