JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
In
a major step toward ensuring the 12th Flying Training Wing’s mission
remains compatible with planned development around Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph, the Schertz City Council formally adopted the 2015 JBSA Joint
Land Use Study recommendations Nov. 17.
In
a unanimous 5-0 vote, the council surged forward and became the first neighboring
city to approve the study, a critical step in ensuring the ability to
sustain missions at Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph.
"The
City of Schertz has consistently led the region as a proactive partner in this
effort to help protect our mission, which is ensuring our instructor pilots
remain the best-trained military aviators in the world," said Col. Matt
Isler, 12th Flying Training Wing commander. "This action represents the
steadfast commitment of Schertz to protect our flying mission at JBSA-Randolph
and we are exceptionally grateful for their deep investment and care for our
mission, Airmen and families by Schertz."
The
JLUS, completed in July 2015 and funded by grants from the Department of
Defense and Office of Economic Adjustment, along with contributions from Bexar
County, is focused on putting military installations and their local community
partners at the same table to focus on finding solutions in mutual areas of
concern, such as incompatible land use around airfields.
Schertz
is very happy to be able to continue the close partnership between the city and
the base that has been fostered over the years, said Schertz Mayor Michael
Carpenter.
“We
are thrilled to continue working closely with the base to ensure not only that
the flying mission at JBSA-Randolph continues, but that our city is also able
to accommodate new growth and economic development that benefits our
residents,” Carpenter said.
Teaming
up with the surrounding community has been a consistent theme throughout the
study.
“We
are grateful for the close relationships with our community partners to find
common ground in JBSA-Randolph mission requirements while sustaining compatible
community growth,” said Col. David Drichta, 12th Operations Group commander.
“Implementing the JLUS's recommendations provide a roadmap for JBSA-Randolph
and community stakeholders, as well as reinforce’s our mutually beneficial
ties. We are proud to serve in our
nation's defense and glad that we have such terrific neighbors that help us
sustain that mission and support our families.”
Community
partners impacted by the JLUS include Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties,
along with the cities of Cibolo, Converse, Garden Ridge, Live Oak, San Antonio,
Schertz, Seguin, Selma and Universal City.
JBSA-Randolph
is home to more than 11,900 personnel, include active-duty, reserve, guard and
civilian personnel and their families, contributing more than $1.15 billion to
the local area economy in fiscal year 2014.
Major
mission partners at JBSA-Randolph include Headquarters Air Education and
Training Command, Air Force Personnel Center, Headquarters 19th Air
Force, Air Force Recruiting Service and the 12th Flying Training Wing.
Headquarters
Air Education and Training Command was established and activated in January
1942, making it the second oldest major command in the Air Force. Its training mission makes it the first
command to touch the life of nearly every Air Force member. Members of AETC operate at 10 installations
across five states.
The
19th Air Force headquarters is responsible for 19 training locations, 10
regular Air Force wings supported by six Guard and Reserve wings, about 32,000
personnel and more than 1,350 aircraft spanning 29 different models.
Members
of the Air Force Personnel Center execute programs covering the entire
life-cycle of military and civilian personnel for the Air Force, from accession
through retirement, including recreation, growth, development and
deployment. AFPC’s diverse workforce,
with 10 subordinate units, has more than 2,700 Air Force military, civilian and
contractor personnel responsible for worldwide operations for 1.77 million
total force Airmen, retirees and family members.
The
mission of Headquarters Air Force
Recruiting Service is to inspire, engage and recruit future Airmen to deliver
airpower for America. The command is
responsible for accessing 100 percent of the enlisted force, 90 percent of the
service's health professions officers, about 16 percent of the line officers
and 100 percent of Air Force chaplains.
The
12th FTW, with 148 total aircraft assigned, conducts flying training utilizing
T-1 Jayhawk, T-6 Texan II and T-38C Talon aircraft. More than 850 instructor
pilots, 350 combat systems officers and 500 remotely piloted aircraft pilots
and sensor operators graduate each year.
The wing also operates a satellite airfield in the south Texas area at
Seguin Auxiliary Airfield. Additionally, dedicated military training airspace extends across south and central Texas to support the wing's mission.
In addition to JBSA-Randolph, JBSA major
installations include JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. It is the largest joint base in the
Department of Defense with more than 84,000 personnel, 135,000 students and 266
mission partners across 11 operating locations, contributing more than $12.7
billion to the local area economy during fiscal year 2014.