Just winding down from its command and control function following Hurricane Katrina, officials at US Northern Command say they are gearing for requests for assistance for Hurricane Rita. NORTHCOM’s Joint Operations Center at Colorado Springs, Colo., is still in 24-hour mode from Katrina. The command already established Homestead ARB, Fla., as its primary staging area to pre-position food, water, and ice and has pre-positioned heavy and medium lift helicopters at Patrick AFB, Fla.
The Department of the Air Force wants to launch a construction boom with its fiscal 2027 budget, more than doubling its request over 2026, according to budget documents.