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NORAD ready to track Santa's flight for 70th anniversary year
December 19, 2025 — The North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready to track Santa on Dec. 24 and is celebrating the program’s 70th anniversary. NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD has one additional mission: tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe, delivering presents to children. The NORAD Tracks Santa website (www.noradsanta.org) launched on Dec. 1... MORE

MEDCoE holds 2025 Best Medic Competition, names top team
December 19, 2025 — The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence announced the winners and concluded the 2025 Best Medic Competition with an awards ceremony on Dec. 4, 2025, at Blesse Auditorium... MORE

TRICARE Dental Program orthodontic coverage: What you need to know
December 19, 2025 — Do you or your child need braces? Do you wonder if the TRICARE Dental Program covers orthodontic care? Here’s what you need to know about getting straighter teeth through the TRICARE Dental Program. ... MORE

Dentist uses dental equipment on a patient in a white room

Just in time for Christmas, nation gifts service members $1,776 'Warrior Dividend'
December 19, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump announced Dec. 17 that nearly 1.5 million service members would receive a $1,776 bonus to both thank them for their military service and to commemorate the 250 years the U.S. military has been defending the nation... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, look over the area of operations during Exercise Hydra at the Utah Test and Training Range, May 8, 2025. The exercise serves to prepare participants to respond decisively to complex threats across all domains. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Danny Whitlock)

SHEF competition turns up the heat on Air Force culinary pros
December 19, 2025 — Airmen from 11 Department of the Air Force dining facilities went head-to-head in the second annual Salute Hospitality Epicurean Faceoff culinary battle Dec. 3 at the San Antonio Culinary Institute of America.  ... MORE

BAMC provides comprehensive care for military, civilian patients
December 17, 2025 — Brooke Army Medical Center provides emergent and rehabilitative services for San Antonio and the south Texas community to ensure patients receive safe, quality care... MORE

Holiday hours around Joint Base San Antonio
December 16, 2025 — The holiday season is here and some facilities around Joint Base San Antonio will have modified hours... MORE

DAF updates medical shaving profile guidance to align with Secretary of War grooming policy
December 16, 2025 — The Department of the Air Force updated its medical guidance for shaving profiles to align with the Secretary of War’s grooming standards... MORE

War Department reevaluates discharge characterizations for COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal
December 16, 2025 — For service members involuntarily discharged solely for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the War Department has ordered a reevaluation of their discharge status to see who might be eligible for an upgrade to an honorable discharge... MORE

A close-up view of the bottom of a mock service member's separation from DD-214 is shown with the word "honorable" written in the characterization of service block.

Army to launch major update to Recovery Care Program
December 16, 2025 — The Army is preparing to roll out a major update to the Army Recovery Care Program, or ARCP, reshaping how the service supports wounded, ill and injured Soldiers in a way leaders say reflects today’s medical needs while preserving the promise of high-quality care... MORE

Army launches initiative to modernize garrison food service
December 15, 2025 — The U.S. Army launched the Dining Excellence Initiative, or DINEX, on Dec. 10, 2025, to modernize food service operations across Army training installations... MORE

MICC leaders host 1st Quarter FY26 town hall
December 15, 2025 — The Mission and Installation Contracting Command hosted its 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 town hall Dec. 10 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, bringing together more than 60 key leaders in person and nearly 800 employees virtually via Microsoft Teams... MORE

New study highlights risks in en route insulin administration, calls for enhanced protocols
December 15, 2025 — A decade-long study reviewing nearly 3,000 Critical Care Air Transport patient records found significant safety concerns related to insulin administration during military aeromedical evacuations... MORE

A group of 59th Medical Wing Airmen place a simulated patient and secure their liter onto a KC-135 Stratotanker, Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field Annex, Texas, June 18, 2024.

Air University streamlines CCAF, PME transcript requests
December 15, 2025 — Air University is improving the transcript request process following the integration of the Community College of the Air Force into the Air University Student Information System... MORE

24th CSAF Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach’s First Letter to the Force
December 15, 2025 — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach released his first letter to Airmen. ... MORE

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach

Army launches ‘adaptive promotion model’ pilot for officers
December 12, 2025 — The U.S. Army is evaluating refinements to its officer promotion system to better align talent and performance with evolving mission requirements. As part of this effort, the Army Medical and Dental Corps will pilot a program that eliminates traditional zone distinctions and promotion constraints for promotions to the grades of captain and above... MORE

Sixteenth Air Force, Polish Cyber Command reaffirm commitment to collective cyber defense
December 12, 2025 — Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) and Poland Cyber Command reinforced the strength of the strong U.S.-Poland cyber alliance during a technical exchange, key leader engagement and award ceremony, underscoring the two commands’ unified resolve to deter and defeat malicious cyber actors, from Dec. 8-10... MORE

Sixteenth Air Force commander greets Polish Cyber Commander.

Access virtual mental health care with TRICARE
December 12, 2025 — Did you know that you can get virtual mental health services with TRICARE? These options are a great way to get care when you can’t visit a provider’s office in person. Virtual mental health visits take place through secure technology platforms... MORE

Woman looks at a laptop while she sits at a table.

Getting care through TRICARE’s Active Duty Dental Program
December 12, 2025 — Maintaining dental health is a critical part of overall force readiness. Are you on active duty but live far away from your nearest military dental clinic? Or do you need dental care that your military dental clinic can’t provide? You should know that TRICARE offers the Active Duty Dental Program. This program allows active duty service members to get care through civilian providers under certain circumstances. ... MORE

Dentist uses a dental pick and a mirror to examine a patient's teeth.

Department of War releases 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates
December 12, 2025 — The Department of War released the 2026 basic allowance for housing rates Dec. 11. The basic allowance for housing rates will increase by an average of 4.2 percent, and an estimated $29.9 billion will be paid to approximately one million service members. The new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2026... MORE