When USAF created its air and space expeditionary force (AEF) concept, the premise was that AEFs would head overseas. Hurricane Katrina proved that the AEF can be useful at home, too. At Keesler AFB, Miss., the Air Force has set up the 97th Air Expeditionary Group, comprising initially some 190 airmen from around the country. Its working up to a total of 250 airmen, who will relieve the folks at Keesler from support for FEMA and other groups. That means Keesler can get down to restoring Keesler.
CCAs and Autonomy Gain Momentum as Focus of Future Force
Sept. 29, 2026
For the past four years, the idea of autonomous drone warfare like Collaborative Combat Aircraft has been discussed as a future concept, rather than near-term reality. But now that promised vision appears imminent, with the Air Force promising at least 1,000 such drones by 2032.