Joint Base San Antonio > News

MEDCoE provides help to New York, New Jersey medical facilities in response to COVID-19
June 25, 2020 — During the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston provided resources, expertise and assistance to medical facilities in New York and New Jersey overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases... MORE

‘A Night in your Honor’ renders a virtual salute to future service members
June 23, 2020 — Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect many in Military City USA, it did not deter Our Community Salutes-San Antonio, or OCS-SA, from hosting its ninth annual “A Night in Your Honor” through virtual means June 17... MORE

Taking care of military medical frontline providers
June 22, 2020 — Air Force medics are on the front lines against COVID-19, and maintaining their mental well-being is critical to keeping them in the fight. One of the biggest risks for providers is burnout, or compassion fatigue... MORE

The COVID-19 pandemic can challenge the mental wellness of health workers and contribute to provider burnout. Air Force medics are cautioned to be alert for signs of numbness in themselves or colleagues, and make time for self-care and recharge.

Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio contributing to COVID-19 fight
June 18, 2020 — In early March, Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio, or NAMRU-SA, joined the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemic viruses by contributing knowledge from relevant studies and providing backup medical support at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio's chief science director Sylvain Cardin, Ph.D.

Operation Warp Speed accelerates COVID-19 vaccine development
June 17, 2020 — The national effort to accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, called "Operation Warp Speed," will hasten the delivery of that vaccine by conducting steps concurrently that normally would be conducted sequentially, senior administration officials said... MORE

A service member presses a hypodermic needle into a small glass vial.

SECDEF visits BMT, sees how citizens become Airmen during COVID-19
June 17, 2020 — U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper visited U.S. Air Force basic military training cadre and recruits at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, as well as members of the Air Force Recruiting Service, for a first-hand look at how the service transforms citizens into American Airmen June 16... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Snow, 323rd Training Squadron military training instructor, briefs U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper during his tour of the 323rd Training Squadron's Airman Training Complex June 16, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Esper met with AETC leaders to see firsthand how Basic Military Training is fighting through COVID-19 with health protection measures in place and adapting operations to current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance. The visit also allowed him to witness how a citizen becomes an Airman during COVID-19.

COVID-19 sparks changes to Army Combat Fitness Test
June 17, 2020 — The Army Combat Fitness Test will be the force's test of record Oct. 1, but the Army's top enlisted soldier says troops will have more time to train for and pass the six-event test — without fear of it negatively impacting their careers... MORE

DLIELC international students receive generosity, support during COVID-19
June 16, 2020 — When Dan Vega, American Members of International Goodwill to Others, or AMIGO, program manager sent out a notice to all AMIGO sponsors for help with providing masks for international students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, he received several generous responses to help... MORE

Master Sgt. Jeanett Vielman displays one of the handmade masks she donated for the students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Prioritizing sleep vital as Airmen adjust to new normal
June 12, 2020 — Continued lack of sleep can be detrimental to an Airman’s job performance, their ability to fight off infections, and their overall readiness and wellbeing... MORE

Sleep is a vital component to overall health and readiness. There are several things Airmen can do to improve their sleep habits, including setting an alarm for bed, avoiding screens that emit disruptive blue light, and avoiding caffeine several hours before bedtime.

EFMP support doesn’t skip a beat despite social distancing measures
June 12, 2020 — The novel coronavirus pandemic forced the modification of three Exceptional Family Member Program workshops at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph early this year, but the virus has not stopped the delivery of services from the Department of Defense program that supports military families with special medical and educational needs... MORE

Leader’s perspective: Team MICC efforts crucial to nation winning war against COVID-19
June 11, 2020 — Our nation’s war on the Coronavirus has been unprecedented, and I thank every Soldier and Army Civilian of our command for being dedicated to delivering ready, decisive and synchronized business solutions and contracting support to our mission partners in this difficult time around the world... MORE

433rd Airlift Wing units hold virtual changes of command
June 11, 2020 — Two commanders within the 433rd Mission Support Group assumed commands virtually at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland June 6... MORE

Col. Wayne M. Williams, 433rd Mission Support Group commander, delivers his remarks during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 6, 2020.

BAMC volunteer continues service to community during pandemic
June 11, 2020 — Dr. J. Sean Habina, a retired Army second lieutenant who volunteers at Brooke Army Medical Center, also gives her time delivering meals to military veterans across San Antonio... MORE

433rd Airlift Wing overcomes COVID-19 challenges
June 10, 2020 — The 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has spent the last three months successfully innovating new ways to accomplish the mission due to the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic... MORE

433rd Civil Engineer Squadron members meet for a virtual unit training assembly May 3, 2020 using an online collaboration service.

Local Navy technicians gain practical experience from COVID-19 maintenance backlog
June 10, 2020 — The Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio, or NAMRU-SA, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, is giving some graduates of the Navy Medicine Training Support Center Biomedical Equipment Technician School, or BMET, practical experience that attacks one of COVID-19’s side effects, a maintenance backlog... MORE

Air Force cancels 2020 Marathon, offers virtual option
June 10, 2020 — Numerous scenarios were explored to produce an event that was safe for all and met the high event standards. All scenarios led the marathon team to conclude the event would be unable to proceed in a manner that participants have come to expect... MORE

Fireworks go off at the start off the Air Force Marathon held on Sept. 21 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Fireworks at the start line was added to this year’s marathon to add more excitement and entertainment to the race. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wesley Farnsworth)

BAMC personnel deploy to fight invisible enemy, COVID-19
June 10, 2020 — More than 75 military medical personnel from Brooke Army Medical Center have deployed to hard-hit areas such as New York, Washington State, Guam and other locations to help fight COVID-19, and 20 more are on standby ready to deploy... MORE

Army Public Health Center expert offers healthy housing tips
June 10, 2020 — Although COVID-19 concerns have temporarily halted many but the most essential military moves, now is a good time to think about how to keep your current or future residence healthy and minimize housing hazard risks like lead or mold exposure... MORE

Army Public Health Center industrial hygiene experts say controlling moisture is a key factor in reducing mold risk. It is important to find the source of any leak or water damage and to make repairs immediately.

DOD updates travel restrictions, releases list of 'green locations'
June 9, 2020 — The Secretary of Defense recently signed a memo, moving to a conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel... MORE

Local Army civilians help World War II veteran celebrate 94th birthday
June 4, 2020 — On a day when many San Antonians’ heads were tilted upward trying to catch of glimpse of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ fly-by, one local veteran was the guest of honor at his 94th birthday drive-by... MORE

Dan Martin and Bob Shaw donned Army uniforms and displayed vintage jeeps to help Raul Garza celebrate his 94th birthday. Martin works at the U.S. Army Installation Management Command Inspector General’s office at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Shaw, who retired from the Army in the 1980s as a field artillery forward observer and a friend of Martin.