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.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
