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Air Force formalizes policy on retention of non-deployable Airmen
February 20, 2019 — In accordance with Department of Defense policy on military retention of non-deployable service members, the Air Force implemented its guidance in a memo signed Feb. 19. Airmen who have been non-deployable for more than 12 consecutive months will be notified by their chain of command and evaluated for retention either through referral to the Disability Evaluation System or consideration for administrative separation... MORE

In accordance with Department of Defense policy on military retention of non-deployable service members, the Air Force implemented its guidance in a memo signed Feb. 19.

433rd Airlift Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen return to hometown to recruit the next generation
February 20, 2019 — The 433rd Airlift Wing’s C-5M Super Galaxy from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was one of the biggest attractions at the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular in Laredo, Texas, impressing more than 13,000 visitors at the Laredo International Airport Feb. 17... MORE

Spectators walk to a 433rd Airlift Wing’s C-5M Super Galaxy from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland while an A-10C Thunderbolt II performs during the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular at the Laredo International Airport in Laredo, Texas Feb. 17. The A-10 belongs to the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

Army officials name next MICC leader
February 20, 2019 — The Army chief of staff announced Feb. 19 the next commanding general for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

The Army chief of staff announced Feb. 19 that Col. Christine A. Beeler will assume command of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command from Brig. Gen. Bill Boruff in a ceremony July 9 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Social media safety during deployments, at home
February 20, 2019 — With movements happening, many pieces will fall together before boots are on the ground in the various locations. The times and places of departures, arrivals and travel plans should not be posted online. Even a selfie checking-in somewhere could be detrimental... MORE

It is important for military members, Department of Defense civilians and families to practice OPSEC when using social media.

CAC, ID card issuance process expanding with more choices
February 20, 2019 — The Joint Base San Antonio Common Access Card and ID card issuance process is expanding to give people more choices. The appointment-only policy has been altered to give customers the option to choose what is most convenient for them. This change also allows personnel teams to reduce lead times for appointments and shorten wait times in the facilities... MORE

The Joint Base San Antonio Common Access Card and ID card issuance process is expanding to give people more choices. The appointment-only policy has been altered to give customers the option to choose what is most convenient for them. This change also allows personnel teams to reduce lead times for appointments and shorten wait times in the facilities.

March is brain injury awareness month
February 20, 2019 — The month of March is dedicated to brain injury awareness and prevention, and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic in Germany is spreading awareness to help the local military community to know more about brain injuries, how to obtain educational material, and where to seek care... MORE

Citing health, safety concerns, Air Force leaders order commanders to conduct ‘100% review’ of all base housing
February 20, 2019 — Responding to reports of poorly maintained and unsafe housing across several installations, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein on Feb. 19 directed commanders at every base worldwide to conduct a “100 percent review” of the condition and safety of all military housing by March 1... MORE

Your Life Matters with Kristen Christy
February 19, 2019 — The Joint Base San Antonio community is invited to meet with military spouse Kristen Christy, 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year, as she shares her personal experiences on the rippling effects of suicide and hope. ... MORE

The JBSA Community is invited to meet with military spouse Kristen Christy, 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year, as she shares her personal experiences on the rippling effects of suicide and hope.

JBSA leaders visit Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital for National Salute to Veteran Patients
February 19, 2019 — Veteran patients at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio were honored by Joint Base San Antonio leaders during the National Salute to Veteran Patients Feb. 15... MORE

Veteran patients walking down the hall from pharmacy were greeted by Col. Peter Velesky, Joint Base San Antonio and 502nd Air Base Wing vice commander and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Lantagne, JBSA and 502d ABW command chief at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, National Salute to Veteran Patients, Feb. 15.

AFJROTC unit named after Tuskegee Airman visits 433rd Airlift Wing
February 19, 2019 — Thirty-three Benjamin O. Davis High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Aldine, Texas, near Houston, visited the 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Feb. 15. The students, whose school is named after the first commander of the Tuskegee Airmen Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, received a tour of a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft and had lunch at an Air Force dining facility. The students accompanied by five chaperones were scheduled to compete in a drill competition in San Antonio... MORE

Benjamin O. Davis High School Air Force Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students and chaperones from Aldine, Texas, and 68th Airlift Squadron air crew personnel, take a moment after a tour of a C-5M Super Galaxy Feb. 15 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

New AFIMSC executive director focuses on developing leaders
February 19, 2019 — Since assuming her position as the new Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center executive director last fall, Lorna Estep has gained a greater appreciation for people across the center and their diverse missions... MORE

Master Sgt. Jason Wilson (right), manager of the Air Force Ground Munitions Program at the Air Force Security Forces Center, explains the benefits of the new Air Force M18 modular handgun system to Lorna Estep, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center executive director, Feb. 4. Since taking her position, Estep has taken a closer look into how AFIMSC executes its mission during immersion briefings with the center’s primary subordinate units over the past month.

Basura Bash draws hundreds out to beautify Salado Creek at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
February 16, 2019 — The ninth annual Joint Base San Antonio Basura Bash had a stellar turnout of volunteers Feb. 16 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston’s Salado Creek Park... MORE

A trio of Air Force Airmen make their way along Salado Creek in kayaks, helping clear out a year's worth of accumulated debris at the ninth annual Joint Base San Antonio Basura Bash Feb. 16 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston’s Salado Creek Park.

BASH Program keeps JBSA-Kelly Field safe
February 15, 2019 — The airspace above Joint Base San Antonio has all kinds of missions and one program is supporting the runways by making it safe for humans and wildlife to co-exist. The Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program is continuously working to mitigate wildlife hazards, such as bird strikes to the aircraft. ... MORE

Financial Operations workshop features innovation
February 15, 2019 — Tech Sgt. Samuel Spaethe used to spend hours upon hours completing work as a financial services technician, often working weeknights until 7 p.m. and then on Saturdays just to get the job done. But he knew that effort was not sustainable. So he did something innovative about it. Spaethe developed an Excel macro tool that pulls four reports and two rosters from the Defense Travel System, compares the information, and determines what needs to be done on a member’s pay record. The macro saves technicians hours in research time... MORE

Nearly 300 Air Force financial service technicians and operators received training during the Air Force Financial Operations Workshop in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 11-15. The workshop focused specifically on training in 17 finance customer service topics.

Feedback Fridays
February 15, 2019 — 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. If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil 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.

If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.

AETC partners with university to expand virtual reality trainer’s capabilities
February 15, 2019 — Air Education and Training Command is partnering with a South Dakota-based university known for its science and engineering curriculum to enhance the capabilities of the virtual reality trainers used in pilot training... MORE

Dr. Jeff McGough, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Computer Science and Engineering Department head, evaluates a virtual reality trainer sent from Air Education and Training Command’s Pilot Training Next program. A technology team at the school has begun work on improving the trainer used in pilot training.

Wheel and tire shop keeps ‘everybody rolling’ at JBSA-Randolph
February 15, 2019 — Student fighter and instructor pilots fly dozens of sorties each day from Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, spending nearly all of that time in the air. However, their aircraft also touch ground during takeoff and landing, and it is during those moments that they rely on a small team of professionals who work each day to ensure their aircraft’s wheels and tires are able to withstand the rigors of the runway. ... MORE

Roy Spencer, 12th Maintenance Group Aircraft Wheel and Tire Shop technician, inspects seals that were recently washed inside the Aircraft Wheel and Tire Shop on Feb. 14, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Tire shop technicians and AGE members are part of a team that ensure the integrity of the wheels and tires used on the 12th FTW’s fleet of trainer aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ave I. Young)

ARNORTH CG Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan receives Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
February 14, 2019 — U.S. Army North Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan was presented the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award at the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council Brunch Feb. 13 in San Antonio. Buchanan, who attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1973, was presented this award for exceptionally distinguished service in his military career and to the community... MORE

U.S. Army North Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan (second from left) was presented the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award at the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council Brunch Feb. 13 in San Antonio. Buchanan, who attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1973, was presented this award for exceptionally distinguished service in his military career and to the community. Only one in every 1,000 Eagle Scouts has been awarded this high honor. Pictured (from left to right) are Mike Crownover, National Eagle Scout Association Chairman; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan; Jim Lynch, Alamo Area Council Commissioner; Jim Jeffrey, Alamo Area Council President; and Michael de los Santos, Alamo Area Council Scout Executive.

Twenty-Fifth Air Force mentors coach Thomas Jefferson High School students for national cyber competition
February 14, 2019 — Twenty-Fifth Air Force members from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland adopted two teams from San Antonio’s Thomas Jefferson High School to help prepare them for this year’s CyberPatriot competition... MORE

Thomas Jefferson High School’s Army Junior ROTC CyberPatriot team displays the CyberPatriot challenge coin during their CyberPatriot meeting in San Antonio Jan. 31. Jefferson’s team advanced to the gold and platinum rounds of this year’s competition.

Military City USA hosts Navy Recruiting Command’s Leading Petty Officers Course
February 14, 2019 — To assist recruiters in accomplishing the accession goals set by Navy Recruiting Command, Navy career force recruiters assigned to the National Training and Quality Assurance Team, or N-7, traveled from Millington, Tenn., to provide training to Navy Recruiting Districts and Navy Talent Acquisition Groups, or NTAGs, during a Leading Petty Officers Course held at the Double Tree Hotel in San Antonio Feb. 11-15... MORE

Chief Petty Officer Nolita Whiten, an assessor/trainer assigned to Navy Recruiting Command’s (NRC) National Training and Quality Assurance Team, provides instruction on Web R-Tools maintenance to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio’s leading petty officers, Petty Officers 1st Class Juan De Leon and Elbert Anderson, during a Leading Petty Officers Course held at the Double Tree Hotel.