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 rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
