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U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) celebrates 77 years
January 13, 2020 — It was 77 years ago when Fifth Army officially activated, Jan. 5, 1943, at Oujda, French Morocco. In 2004, with its rich, vibrant history that originated during the ongoing battles of World War II, Fifth Army became U.S. Army North... MORE

Spc. Dazhir Walker, 323d U.S. Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own;” Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, commanding general, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and senior commander, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Willie Noles; and Army North Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, senior enlisted leader, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, cut a cake to celebrate Fifth Army’s 77th birthday at the Military & Family Readiness Center at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 10.

Feedback Fridays
January 13, 2020 — 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. ... MORE

Smoke alarms: a fire safety success story
January 10, 2020 — The fire safety success story of the past quarter century has been smoke detectors. The battery-powered smoke detector has reduced home fire deaths by half since its introduction on to the market... MORE

According to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, an estimated 94 percent of homes in the United States have at least one smoke detector in the home. The death rate has been 40-50 percent less than the rate for homes without smoke detectors.

Pilot Training Next’s third class underway at JBSA-Randolph
January 10, 2020 — Pilot Training Next begins the New Year with the start of the third iteration at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Jan. 8... MORE

Pilot Training Next begins the New Year with the start of the third iteration at Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas Jan. 8.

AFIMSC announces 2020 Innovation Rodeo finalists
January 10, 2020 — Eight finalists for the 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo were selected out of 143 submissions and nearly 2,000 online votes to compete for a share of $1 million in funding and resources to implement their ideas. One finalist is from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

AFIMSC announced finalists for the 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo on Jan. 9.

Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new version of SSN scam
January 10, 2020 — Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new variations of tax-related scams. In the latest twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers, scammers claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN... MORE

In the latest twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers, scammers claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN. It’s yet another attempt by con artists to frighten people into returning “robocall” voicemails.

Mutual aid agreements provide essential support for JBSA, local fire emergency services
January 10, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio Fire Emergency Services currently consists of eight fires stations and 220 personnel who respond to more than 4,000 emergencies annually. While this may seem adequate, JBSA’s stations are located so far apart that sometimes assistance is needed more quickly that their JBSA reinforcements can arrive... MORE

A firefighter from Joint Base San Antonio assesses fire movement and terrain at JBSA-Camp Bullis Aug. 19, 2019.

Retirement nears for ‘best of friends’ who devoted 80 years to mission
January 9, 2020 — Retired senior NCOs Tony Williams and Marilyn Cunningham first crossed paths when they were instructors at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, nearly 30 years ago. At 2 p.m. Jan. 31 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Kendrick Club, Cunningham and Williams will be honored at a ceremony marking their second retirement – this time from civil service after long, rewarding military careers... MORE

Marilyn Cunningham and her husband, Tony Williams, Air Education and Training Command Directorate of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection acquisition program managers, pose for a photo in Williams’ workspace Dec. 23, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. At 2 p.m. Jan. 31 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Kendrick Club, Cunningham and Williams will be honored at a ceremony marking their second retirement – this time from civil service after long, rewarding military careers.

CSAF visits JBSA-Lackland on Standing Watch tour
January 9, 2020 — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein met with Airmen from the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Jan. 4 and visited other Air Force bases with Airmen who stand watch 24-7-365 to show appreciation for their efforts, sacrifice and to recognize and increase awareness of this vital mission... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio skies a "no-drone" zone
January 9, 2020 — Personal drone operation is prohibited at all Joint Base San Antonio locations... MORE

Drone technologies have advanced to the point where they are safe and affordable to own and will likely find their way into many homes over the holidays. These systems can be a lot of fun for people of all ages and appear to be here to stay. But before you fly, there are some important things to know about operating drones, also known as small unmanned aircraft systems, or SUAS, at 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio locations.

Chief’s Corner: 12 traits of all effective leaders
January 9, 2020 — Effective leadership is almost always one of the main and primary drivers for growth, development and innovation in an organization... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Goetze, Superintendent (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Army Recruiting Command discredits military draft texts
January 9, 2020 — A number of fraudulent text messages informing individuals they have been selected for a military draft have circulated throughout the country this week. U.S. Army Recruiting Command has received multiple calls and emails about these fake text messages and wants to ensure Americans understand these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army. ... MORE

a gray, black, white, and red graphic containing two text messages with red letters indicating a fraud alert.

Psychologist helps remote aviators reach their goals
January 9, 2020 — Alarmed by the high suicide numbers in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Eric Bissonette, felt compelled to do something. The 558th Flying Training Squadron Commander oversees training of all Air Force and Marine remotely piloted aircraft pilots and basic sensor operators. Bisonette knows it is a stressful environment... MORE

Dr. Julie Landry listens to an Airman during a new student briefing at the 558th Flying Training Squadron at JBSA-Randolph. As the unit psychologist, she teaches students and staff resiliency.

Air Force relaunches Employee Assistance Program
January 9, 2020 — The Air Force Employee Assistance Program has relaunched with a new phone number and website. The program will provide the same services as it did in the past, and at no cost. It may be accessed 24/7 by all Air Force civilian personnel (APF and NAF), Guard/Reserve and family members. ... MORE

The Air Force Employee Assistance Program has relaunched with a new phone number, 1-866-580-9078, and new website, www.AFPC.af.mil/EAP. The program will provide the same services and same access to care provided in the past with continued access 24/7 via telephone, website or in-person. (Courtesy graphic)

Main BAMC Outpatient Pharmacy implementing new system to reduce wait time
January 9, 2020 — The Main Outpatient Pharmacy at Brooke Army Medical Center will implement a two-ticket system in February to improve the customer experience and reduce wait times... MORE

Huy Nguyen, pharmacist, dispenses a prescription in the main pharmacy at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

NATO temporarily suspends training mission in Iraq
January 8, 2020 — Although NATO is committed to the training mission in Iraq, the alliance has suspended training operations in the country, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels Jan. 7... MORE

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tells reporters that the alliance will suspend training Iraqi forces until the situation in the country stabilizes.

149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard units participate in FSRT BETA test
January 8, 2020 — Air National Guard members from the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, participated in a beta assessment test for Fatality Search and Recovery Teams at the Round Rock Public Safety Training Center, Round Rock, Texas Dec. 3-8, 2019... MORE

Air National Guard members from the 149th and the 159th Fighter Wings participated in a beta assessment test for Fatality Search and Recovery Teams at the Round Rock Public Safety Training Center, Round Rock Texas from 3-8 December 2019.

SAF/IE visits JBSA to discuss infrastructure
January 7, 2020 — The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy recently toured Joint Base San Antonio and met with leadership to discuss upcoming plans and initiatives for installation infrastructure including privatized housing and dorms. ... MORE

The Honorable John W. Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, met with base and mission partner leadership while visiting Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, December 18, 2019. Mr. Henderson visited for a briefing on our dormitory and privatized housing efforts here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lemitchel King)

2020 Special Olympics Texas Games slated for Morgan’s Wonderland
January 7, 2020 — Texas law enforcement officers, military officials, local civic and community leaders, as well as local cheer teams came together at a press conference Dec. 10, 2019, to announce the 2020 Special Olympics Summer Games will be held at the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center... MORE

(From left) Gordon Hartman, founder and CEO of Morgan’s Wonderland; Capt. Casey Ryan, 502nd Security Forces Squadron operations officer; San Antonio Storm Cheer Team members; Brig. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, commander, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio; and Lt. Steven Dews, 502nd Security Forces Squadron public affairs representative, attend the 2020 Summer Games press conference at the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center Dec. 10, 2019. Morgan’s Wonderland will host the Special Olympics Texas’ 51st Annual Summer Games, April 30 to May 3, 2020. The four-day event is the organization’s largest competition of the year with approximately 3,000 athletes from all over Texas.

BAMC training helps Landstuhl nurses care for critically ill patients
January 7, 2020 — A two-week long training session at Brooke Army Medical Center provided a pair of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center critical care nurses with hands-on training operating and troubleshooting dialysis equipment used in continuous 24 hour-per-day therapy... MORE

Army Maj. Julie Duffy (right), clinical nurse specialist, Intensive Care Unit, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, prepares a cycler used for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies as Petra Wine, critical care nurse, provides instruction during CRRT training at LRMC's ICU Dec. 19, 2019.