The Civil Air Patrol is not a static entity, as evidenced by the addition of a new squadron at Socorro, N.M. Formed initially in February with 14 members, the Socorro Composite Squadron now has 25 members. And, it just promoted its first two cadets. Per the CAP fact sheet, the Air Force Auxiliary has some 1,700 units.
The Air Force in October carried out a homeland defense mission, with jets including F-16 Fighting Falcons, in Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands to show a base there could safeguard the northern regions.