Civil Air Patrol units from Texas and Louisiana took part in Rita disaster response actions, flying aerial damage assessments, moving officials and supplies, and participating in search and rescue efforts. According to the Air Force, as of Sept. 25, CAP has flown approximately 40 missions—half the total missions for the Air Force. CAP has 12 aircraft and crews based out of Dallas Mission Base in Addison, Tex., and Stinson Field near San Antonio. During Katrina efforts, CAP units from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi racked up 1,300 flight hours in support of more than 670 air missions.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.