5th U.S. Army establishes JTF-Rita Published Sept. 23, 2005 FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (AFPN) -- U.S. Northern Command has ordered 5th U.S. Army to activate Joint Task Force-Rita here to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency as it supports state and local authorities in their preparation for Hurricane Rita.The purpose of JTF-Rita will be to command and control active-duty military forces committed to Hurricane Rita relief operations supporting FEMA and Texas.The intent is to provide immediate support to enhance the relief efforts of the federal, state and local governments while mitigating the suffering of those citizens affected by the devastating force of Rita.Supporting JTF-Rita, Airmen nationwide have already sprung into action in preparation for the Category 4 hurricane headed toward the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Air Force units have evacuated Gulf Coast residents and patients to San Antonio, and are assisting in pre-positioning relief supplies at various locations in preparation for the aftermath of the storm.JTF-Rita will work closely with the National Guard and authorities in Texas to ensure a united effort between the state and federal responses, officials said. Department of Defense assets are used in support of a lead federal agency -- in this case FEMA -- when local and state assets are overwhelmed or exhausted, and when DOD assistance is requested by the primary federal agency, and subsequently approved by the secretary of defense.