Yeah. I spent four years flying F-16's with the Wisconsin ANG based in Madison. With the exception of guiding a 500lb bomb up the hindquarters of a certain mayor and governor, I'm not sure our F-16's would have been that useful in New Orleans.
I understand the point you and sgtyork make. A correct one. Bond and Leahy don't get it.
But for those who may not be familiar with what makes up an air wing, what would have been useful in New Orleans were your tactical clinic, your civil engineers, your supply and logistics personnel, your security forces, your communications personnel, etc., etc., These are the types of Guardsman pulled together for disaster relief.
I like to point this out so folks who don't understand why governor's of states with F-16s fight so tenaciously to hold onto them. Lots of resources to use in an emergency. (okay, so the economic contribution to the local area isn't so bad, either. :-))
But this is why Guard disaster assistance works in Texas:
. . . National Guard system is effective because they are an entity accustomed to working regularly with civilian authorities at all levels.
"It's a great relationship. It works. We rehearse and practice periodically together," Rodriguez said. "The Texas National Guard has decades of experience working with the governor's Division of Emergency Management. We take their 'taskers,' and we help them define their needs." And, Rodriguez said, "We know how to say 'Yes, sir' to a county mayor or judge."
The Texas National Guard's philosophy on disaster response is based on one premise: speed.