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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 27, 2016

Operation Homecooking kick starts Oct. 31

San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through “Operation Home Cooking.”

In its 41st year, the program provides the opportunity for families to share their traditional Thanksgiving celebrations with Air Force Airmen and trainees.

Throughout the years, families have generously opened their homes to these young men and women, recognizing that many of them are away from home for the first time.

This program is designed for family participation and not intended for groups. This ensures everyone wanting to participate has an opportunity to do so.  Last year, local residents hosted 3,440 Air Force members for Thanksgiving dinner.

Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite two Airmen/trainees as a “General Request.” To request an Airman/trainee under the “By Name Request” program, you must be an immediate family member (e.g., parent, sibling or grandparent) and live in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. Exception will be for Airmen in the 7th week of training. To request an Airman/trainee through either category, call 671-5453, 671-5454 or 671-3701.

Requests can be made starting Oct. 31 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Reservations are required to host Airmen/trainees. In other words, families cannot show up on Thanksgiving Day “no notice/unannounced” and obtain trainees. 

Due to heightened security measures, hosts without a current Department of Defense identification card are required to have a background check and visitor’s pass prior to entering the base. Hosts can pick up their visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24/7 and located off Military Drive, until Nov. 23.

Once we reach our total number of Airmen/trainees eligible for the program we will stop taking requests. The phone lines will remain open till Nov. 23 or until all eligible trainees have been requested, whichever occurs first.  Anyone who calls after we reach our total number of Airmen/trainees may be placed on a waiting list and called back if more hosts are required.

Out-of-town relatives who have trainees in basic training that will be graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner.  Since trainees are not permitted to have personal transportation during training, hosts must pick up them up. Airmen/trainees who are “General Requests” will be picked up at the Pfingston Reception Center, building 6330while those who are “By Name Request” can be picked up from their respective squadrons on Thanksgiving Day between 7 and 11 a.m. 

All Airmen and basic trainees must be returned back to their respective squadrons according to their designated return time, which will be no later than 7 p.m.  We ask that you plan accordingly for traffic.