After Hurricane Katrina devastated Keesler AFB, Miss., last summer, the base suspended its normal training mission but joined in humanitarian operations, even as it began tackling hurricane damage at the base. Keesler officials say that, as of mid-December, base efforts amounted to 291 missions involving 10 or more personnel. The base delivered 122,736 meals ready-to-ear, 187,660 pounds of food and clothing, 239,227 gallons of water, clocking more than 20,000 manhours. According to TSgt. Julie Sargent, NCO in charge of Keesler’s humanitarian relief operations office, the mission number could be “three times” greater.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.