diff --git a/game/event/baseattack.py b/game/event/baseattack.py
index 77a7cb03..dfe08ff1 100644
--- a/game/event/baseattack.py
+++ b/game/event/baseattack.py
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ class BaseAttackEvent(Event):
                                  departure_cp=self.departure_cp,
                                  to_cp=self.to_cp)
 
-        defenders = self.to_cp.base.scramble_sweep(self.game.settings.multiplier)
-        defenders.update(self.to_cp.base.scramble_cas(self.game.settings.multiplier))
+        defenders = self.to_cp.base.scramble_last_defense()
+        #defenders.update(self.to_cp.base.scramble_cas(self.game.settings.multiplier))
 
         op.setup(cas=flights[CAS],
                  escort=flights[CAP],
diff --git a/theater/base.py b/theater/base.py
index 163879ad..e77057df 100644
--- a/theater/base.py
+++ b/theater/base.py
@@ -164,6 +164,11 @@ class Base:
     def scramble_sweep(self, multiplier: float) -> typing.Dict[PlaneType, int]:
         return self._find_best_planes(CAP, self.scramble_count(multiplier, CAP))
 
+    def scramble_last_defense(self):
+        # return as many CAP-capable aircraft as we can since this is the last defense of the base
+        # (but not more than 20 - that's just nuts)
+        return self._find_best_planes(CAP, min(self.total_planes, 20))
+
     def scramble_cas(self, multiplier: float) -> typing.Dict[PlaneType, int]:
         return self._find_best_planes(CAS, self.scramble_count(multiplier, CAS))