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Blue Rope of the Year extols rewards of MTI career
November 4, 2020 — When 20-year-old Holly Vaught walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office in the summer of 2003, she was by her own account, emotionally lost with $2 and a half tank of gas to her name. She admitted... MORE

Master Sgt. Holly Vaught is the 2020 Blue Rope of the Year.

688th Cyberspace Wing opens The Oasis Room in support of Airmen resilience
November 4, 2020 — Members of the 688th Cyberspace Wing came together to celebrate the opening of their new resiliency room with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Col. Steven Anderson, 688th CW commander, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 13. ... MORE

Col. Steven Anderson, 688th Cyberspace Wing commander, and Capt. Amy O’Connell, 688th Cyberspace Wing chaplain, cut the ribbon during a ceremony for the opening of The Oasis resilience room at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct.13. The resiliency room is stocked with books, a massage chair, a television, games and offers free resources for 688th Cyberspace Wing Airmen.

New tool aims to enable commanders to track, prevent high-risk behaviors
November 4, 2020 — Active duty command teams now have a new tool to help give them more visibility on Soldiers who exhibit high-risk behaviors, as part of the Army’s effort in placing greater emphasis on its people... MORE

The Army's new Commander's Risk Reduction Toolkit

New spectrum strategy reveals DOD's plan to master airwaves
November 4, 2020 — The "2020 Department of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy" not only lays out how the military will guarantee its continued and unfettered access to the spectrum, but also shows how the military plans to master that spectrum while on the battlefield... MORE

A signal support system specialist prepares the radio system used to allow soldiers and airmen to keep in constant communications with one another during a mission.

AETC commander outlines Strategic Action Plan focus area updates
November 4, 2020 — In announcing the updates to Air Education and Training Command’s Strategic Action Plan, Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, the commander of AETC and the force development commander for the Air Force, reaffirmed the First Command’s priorities, which remain fourfold: Advance force development, Enhance lethality and readiness, Transform learning, and Cultivate an environment of excellence... MORE

Final AETC strategic action plan Nov. 11, 2020

Air Force updates travel screening process for EFMP families
November 4, 2020 — Medical clearance is required for all Exceptional Family Member Program families preparing to PCS, and for those members selected for an overseas assignment. ... MORE

ARSOUTH, multinational planners prepare for PANAMAX with Planning in Crisis event
November 4, 2020 — On the road leading up to PANAMAX, the major capstone training exercise for U.S. Army South, military officers from Brazil, Colombia and Peru arrived to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston to take part in the Multinational Forces South Planning in Crisis event Oct. 26-30... MORE

Military officers from Brazil, Colombia and Peru conduct mission analysis as part of the Planning in Crisis exercise Oct. 28 hosted by U.S. Army South and held at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 26-30. The exercise allowed partner nations from the Western Hemisphere to plan and develop an operation order with component commands in preparation for the U.S. Southern Command PANAMAX exercise.

Improvements to Soldier movement ensure MEDCoE training continues
November 3, 2020 — U.S. Army Soldiers continue to train at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, despite the added challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. How they arrive and later depart, however, has changed. ... MORE

A Soldier has his temperature checked after arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field Annex from Fort Jackson, Mississippi, on a chartered flight. Checking for symptoms is one of the many preventive measures in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

San Antonio Military Health System seeks volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine trial
November 3, 2020 — Two San Antonio Military Health System facilities are seeking volunteers from among the military beneficiary population to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial... MORE

Marcy Edwards, a Military Health System beneficiary, signs up for Operation Warp Speed Nov. 2. Operation Warp Speed is a national initiative to accelerate the development, production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

Join Nov. 4 Chat with TRICARE About Open Season
November 3, 2020 — The TRICARE Open Season is almost here. Do you have questions about your health plan options? Not sure if you need to take action? Here’s your chance to plan ahead and get your questions answered. Join TRICARE on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. Central Time. The live Q&A session is on the TRICARE Facebook page... MORE

Joint Outpatient Experience Survey feedback, the only path to change
November 3, 2020 — The Joint Outpatient Experience Survey, or JOES, plays a critical role in enabling patients to communicate their experiences... MORE

FSHISD schools awarded Purple Star designation
November 3, 2020 — The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, announced Oct. 29 that both Fort Sam Houston Elementary School and Robert G. Cole Middle and High School have been awarded the Purple Star Designation for their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of their military-connected students... MORE

The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, announced Oct. 29 that both Fort Sam Houston Elementary School and Robert G. Cole Middle and High School have been awarded the Purple Star Designation for their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of their military-connected students.

Classroom excellence pays off with AAFES ‘You Made the Grade’ program
November 2, 2020 — For military children, good grades can earn great rewards and a chance at a $2,000 prize thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s “You Made the Grade” program. The program, in its 20th year, celebrates the unique service and sacrifices of our Nation’s youngest heroes... MORE

For military children, good grades can earn great rewards and a chance at a $2,000 prize thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s “You Made the Grade” program. The program, in its 20th year, celebrates the unique service and sacrifices of our Nation’s youngest heroes.

South Korean immigrant finds future in Air Force
November 2, 2020 — When Jay Park was 8 years old, his parents immigrated from South Korea to the United States in hopes of building a better life for Jay and his older brother. His parents didn’t know it at the time, but for Jay, that better life would mean serving in the Air Force... MORE

Then Capt. Jay Park, is greeted by his wife, Anna, after arriving home from his first deployment at RAF Lakenheath, England.

‘Speckled Trout’ ready to go for flight attendant students
October 30, 2020 — An aircraft that began life as a refueling tanker and later provided executive airlift for the Air Force Chief of Staff as part of Project Speckled Trout will soon provide the service’s prospective flight attendants with a more realistic training environment... MORE

U.S. Air Force instructors with the 344th Training Squadron Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence cut the ribbon during the ceremony of the ‘Speckled Trout’ Oct. 26, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Nineteenth Air Force activates maintenance training center
October 30, 2020 — The Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center, located on the south end of Hangar 62 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, will start producing a new generation of trainer aircraft maintenance technicians for Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force when classes begin in the near future. ... MORE

Brian Bastow, Nineteenth Air Force logistics requirements branch chief, cuts a ribbon held by Chris Padeni, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance training superintendent (right), and Dean Jeavons, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance requirements section chief (left), during the Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center activation ceremony Oct. 29, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

JBSA recognizes hard work of volunteers at annual awards ceremony
October 30, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio recognized the hard work of individuals and groups who have contributed to the betterment of the military community during its ninth annual Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony Oct. 28 at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center... MORE

Christopher Lowry (left), Chief, Military and Family Readiness, present the “Big Check” to Col. Shane R. Cuellar, 502nd Force Support Group commander. The check represents in dollars the amount of volunteer hours the program provides to Joint Base San Antonio. The presentation was made during the Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Oct. 28.

AETC’s rated diversity improvement strategy team aims to strengthen representation in rated career fields
October 30, 2020 — From increasing awareness about rated officer careers, to removing barriers for qualification, Air Education and Training Command’s Rated Diversity Improvement Strategy Team is making significant strides to remove barriers that impede the service’s ability to cultivate a diverse rated force... MORE

Capt. Kimberly Bray, 47th Operations Support Squadron executive officer and instructor pilot, performs pre-flight checks on a T-6A Texan II at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 26, 2020. Laughlin observes Women’s Equality Day by flying an all-female formation sortie with instructor and student pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marco A. Gomez)

JBSA Security Forces sharpen skills with AACOG assistance
October 30, 2020 — The Alamo Area Council of Governments, a voluntary association of cities, counties and special districts within South Central Texas, has a longstanding relationship with the San Antonio military community and recently hosted a training event for Joint Base San Antonio security forces members... MORE

Staff Sgt. Kody Negri, 802d Security Forces Squadron, Staff Sgt. William McLaughlin, 502d SFS, Sgt. Michael Aulner, 502d SFS and Officer Jeremy Quinn, 802d SFS participate in combative training at the Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio, Texas, Oct 22, 2020.

Feedback Fridays
October 30, 2020 — If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available... MORE

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.