Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, roundly denied Sarah Palin’s assertion that she coordinates command over Alaskan airspace.

“She doesn’t have any role in that process,” Herritage said.

The Alaska Region NORAD commander is responsible for directing action in the airspace when an incursion occurs.

Last week, Palin suggested that she had some control when during an interview with Katie Couric she said, “It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America – where do they go? It’s Alaska.”

Russian bombers have violated Alaskan airspace 20 times, but they have not made any incursions since Palin has been Governor.

If an incursion occurs, the NORAD commander does not inform the Governor. The Alaskan National Guard Commander is responsible for passing that information along.

Herritage did give Palin an air force briefing in February. He recalled, “She was very interested in Russian long-range aviation.”