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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 14, 2020

Feedback Fridays

By Brig. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman 502d Air Base Wing Commander

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.

If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.

Personnel Issues

Q. What is the Air Force/Joint Base San Antonio policy on smoking and smokeless tobacco in the workplace for military and civilians?

People use smokeless tobacco in my workplace and it’s revolting. Not only is it gross to watch them spitting in a water bottle, but it’s a serious health issues in their future. It appears to be condoned where I work throughout the building.

A. Thank you very much for your question! I am very sorry for your experience in your work center. According to Air Force policy, the use of smokeless products while in uniform and on duty – as with smoking – is only allowed in designated smoking/smokeless tobacco areas. We will work with commanders and supervisors to ensure our workforce is reminded of this policy.

Installation & Facilities

Q. I would like to find out if something can be done concerning the traffic light at the JBSA-Randolph clinic gate on FM 78.

It used to stay green for traffic on FM 78 after hours and on weekends, but now it turns red, as if there is traffic coming out of the base even when the gate is closed. This is probably making our Universal City (and other drivers) very irritated and leaves a bad impression about base personnel on our local neighbors.

Can you please coordinate with Universal City officials to have the light reflect actual traffic flows from the base?

A. Thank you for your question and we sincerely apologize for the unnecessary delays at that gate during off-duty hours.

You are not alone in your frustration, and we recently raised this concern during our monthly meeting with the Texas Department of Transportation, or TXDOT, and asked them to adjust the traffic light timing.

Our team reported that as of Jan. 29, TXDOT adjusted the light sequence. Please let me know if some reason the light reverts back to the previous schedule. We appreciate your feedback!

Miscellaneous

Q. With everything that is happening in the U.S., such as shootings on various military bases, are there any future plans for the Police/Security Forces at JBSA to conduct any type of active shooter type of training with the local Police (San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriffs Office, etc.)? 

A. Thank you for your sharing your concerns and question as it relates to JBSA security and partnerships with our local law enforcement professionals.

The short answer is yes … we regularly train and practice various response scenarios with local law enforcement agencies across JBSA.

Our Defenders always have and continue to seek new and improved partnered-training programs across the entire spectrum of threats through their personal network of local law enforcement leaders.

Ongoing JBSA-wide community partnership programs, to include law enforcement training opportunities, are briefed quarterly at the Alamo Area Council of Governments, which is open to the public.

The safety of the JBSA community is my top priority, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to train with the proud professionals serving in the local law enforcement and emergency response communities.

Q. I would like to address a concern pertaining to bus transportation being provided for Commander’s Calls.

I appreciate the fact that bus transportation is provided, but unfortunately there are many individuals who are unable to get on to the bus due to the height of the first step from ground level.

Would it be possible for to provide a step stool and put it on the ground to make that first step more accessible?

A. I am so grateful for your question. Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention.  

After reviewing your concern, we measured the distance from the first step to the ground on our buses. Due to the differences in bus types, age, and suspension wear, the distance from the ground to first step varied considerably, with all exceeding the typical height of home staircases.

As a result of this review, we are procuring step stools for all 31 of the 44-passenger buses assigned to JBSA. Thank you again for sharing your suggestion and for attending our commander’s calls!

Q. In November 2019, Public Law 116-67, National POW/MIA Act, was signed by President Trump. This law states that the POW/MIA flag be displayed below the US flag at federal sites (including military installations).

I have not seen it flown at JBSA-Randolph or JBSA-Lackland. When will we begin following this new laws?

A. Thank you very much for your question! We are tracking the implementation of this law closely and while we are awaiting additional guidance to be released, we are developing our plans to adhere to the law across our primary operating locations. Thank you again for bringing this law to my attention.