USAF as Katrina Bill Collector:

Oct. 7, 2005

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The Pentagon designated the Air Force to ensure the Defense Department gets reimbursed for expenses related to military support to Hurricane Katrina. Officials calculate the tab at about $1.6 billion. The money is to come from FEMA, Homeland Security, or whoever is going to provide those funds,” says John Vonglis, acting Air Force assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller. Vonglis considers the role an honor that reflects “superb skill in financial management, our people skills, our processes, and our systems.” No offense to the Air Force’s sharp comptroller corps, but we bet USAF got the short straw.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

Wilsbach’s Message to the Force on Iran: ‘We Need You Ready’

B-1s and B-52s Pour into Europe for ‘More Bomber Pulses’ over Iran

Air Superiority Is More Than Denial

Air Force Seeks More Companies to Build the Stand-in Attack Weapon

Related

Anduril Bolstering Space Portfolio by Buying Sensing Firm

March 11, 2026
In a move to expand its space portfolio, Anduril announced March 11 it has signed a definitive agreement to buy ExoAnalytic Solutions, a longtime provider of commercial and government space domain awareness and modeling and simulations capabilities. 

New Air Force Safety Tool Forecasts Mishap Risk

March 10, 2026
When you check the weather, the forecast projects the chance of rain based on barometric pressure, wind, humidity, and other factors. Now the Air Force Safety Center is offering a way to forecast accident risks, a dashboard intended to help mitigate against factors that historically indicate higher risks for mishaps. 

CCA’s AI Pilots Step into the Spotlight

March 9, 2026
Just one year ago, Collaborative Combat Aircraft took center stage as then-Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin designated the two competing jets prototypes as the first unmanned fighters in Air Force history: General Atomics’ YFQ-42A and Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A. Twelve months later, it’s the autonomy software that’s flying those aircraft garnering the attention. Autonomy software, more than hardware, may prove the most valuable and enduring element of the CCA program.