Joint Base San Antonio > News

Cleaning gives Main Post Chapel a fresher, cleaner look
July 5, 2018 — After undergoing a spring cleaning, the exterior of the Main Post Chapel at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has a cleaner, fresher look to it for visitors, worshippers and military members who utilize the historic structure... MORE

: Dedicated in 1909 by President William Howard Taft, the Main Post Chapel, or Gift Chapel, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is used for various religious activities throughout the year, including daily services of various faiths, special religious events, memorial services, weddings, funerals, Bible study groups and choir practices. The structure is known as the Gift Chapel because the city of San Antonio donated the property for the structure and community leaders and military personnel donated funds for its construction. The Main Post Chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

U.S., Salvadoran Soldiers build structures, relationships
July 5, 2018 — Some 1,800 Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force Hope are providing humanitarian assistance as part of their training during the Beyond the Horizon exercise in El Salvador. The U.S. Army South-led mission runs through Aug. 4, and includes Soldiers from all components, Air Force and Marine service members, Salvadoran soldiers, and personnel from non-governmental organizations... MORE

Soldiers from the U.S. and El Salvador build an addition to a school at Santa Rita, June 25, 2018, in La Paz Department, El Salvador. The construction is part of U.S. Army South-led Beyond the Horizon exercise lasting May 12 through Aug. 4.

Moving this summer? Your TRICARE options may change
July 5, 2018 — Are you starting a new adventure in a new location soon? If so, that’s a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, or QLE. A QLE is a major life change, like moving, getting married or divorced, or becoming eligible for Medicare. Moving doesn’t change your TRICARE eligibility. Your TRICARE coverage moves with you. But moving may change your TRICARE health plan options. ... MORE

Because moving is a Qualifying Life Event, or QLE, that means you’ll have 90 days from the date of the move to change your TRICARE health plan based on your eligibility.

This HIV screening starts in the privacy of your own home
July 5, 2018 — The Air Force has developed a self-collection blood kit to encourage its active-duty members with a higher risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus to test for infection more frequently than what’s mandated by the military. The kits enable users to be proactive about their own health and potentially prevent the spread of HIV, which can lead to many health complications, including AIDS... MORE

The Air Force offers self-collection kits that include instructions, supplies to obtain a finger-prick blood sample, and a prepaid envelope to mail the sample to a lab for HIV testing.

JBSA Navy Medicine commands host Navy STEM externship visit
July 3, 2018 — San Antonio area Navy Medicine commands hosted 26 middle and high school guidance counselors, and high school chemistry and health professions educators June 27 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston as part of a summer externship focused on high school student career preparation and exploration... MORE

Lt. Cmdr. Kirby Jahnke, Navy Medicine Training Support Center, shows medical instruments to a tour group of San Antonio middle and high school guidance counselors June 27. The tour provided educators and counselors with a general overview of the Navy, to raise awareness of Navy career opportunities through a tour of the medical training campus.

Leader's Perspective: MICC Readiness Initiative restores contracting structure, recovers customer base
July 3, 2018 — As we continue to posture the Mission and Installation Contracting Command to best support our customers, it's critical that we continue to share with you regular updates on the progress being made with the MICC Readiness Initiative... MORE

Brig. Gen. Bill Boruff addresses members of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command June 14, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Boruff is the commanding general for the MICC.

Cyber Protection Team Conference links cyber pros, best practices
July 3, 2018 — Total Force and joint cyber professionals discuss cyber protection team best practices during Cyber Protection Team Conference 18-1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 27. The three-day 567th Cyberspace Operations Group-hosted conference gathered cyber professionals to collaborate on operational CPT improvements. U.S. Cyber Command CPTs defend national and Department of Defense networks and systems against threats, as part of the combatant command’s Cyber Mission Force... MORE

Col. Brian Denman, 567th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, briefs Cyber Protection Team Conference 18-1 attendees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 26, 2018. The three day, 567th COG-hosted conference gathered Total Force and joint cyber professionals to share best practices to improve operational CPT effectiveness. U.S. Cyber Command CPTs defend national and DOD networks and systems against threats, as part of the combatant command’s Cyber Mission Force.

IMCOM Soldier advances to final level of Best Warrior Competition
July 3, 2018 — Spc. Bryce Falgiani is the Soldier category winner of the 2018 Joint Base San Antonio Best Warrior Competition. Falgiani will head to Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, in October, where he will test his mettle against the toughest Soldiers, E-4 and below, in the U.S. Army while representing the U.S. Army Installation Management Command. ... MORE

Spc. Bryce Falgiani, a San Antonio native, completed a rigorous obstacle course as one of the events during the Best Warrior Competition. He is advancing to the final level in October where he will compete against Soldiers from all over the world.

Military Working Dog care even better with opening of rehab facility and recovery kennels
July 2, 2018 — Recovering four-legged warriors are getting enhanced rehabilitation therapy thanks to the new Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Facility at the Lt. Col. Daniel E Holland Military Working Dog Hospital at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

(From left) Col. Kevin Nemelka, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, Brig. Gen. Erik Torring, Lt. Col. Jacque Parker, Air Force Maj. David Temple and Maj. Andrea Henderson cut the ribbon to the new Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Facility and Hospital Recovery Kennels at the Lt. Col. Daniel E Holland Military Working Dog Hospital June 28. The new facility provides flooring and lighting more suited to protect post-operative patients and minimize their stress. It includes a quiet room, large exercise area and an aquatic therapy room.

Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio hosts Alamo STEM educators visit to Navy Research Lab
July 2, 2018 — Scientists at the Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio at the San Antonio Military Medical Center campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston hosted 10 high school chemistry and health professions educators for a laboratory tour and “meet the scientists” career path discussion June 27... MORE

High school chemistry and health professions educators from the Alamo STEM Workforce Coalition program visited with scientists at Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio to learn about research career paths in Navy Medicine for their students.

Secretary of the Air Force talks innovation across JBSA, Austin
July 2, 2018 — Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited AFWERX-Austin, Pilot Training Next and Joint Base San Antonio June 27-29 to see firsthand the focus Airmen in the area are placing on improving readiness, cost-effective modernization and developing exceptional leaders... MORE

SECAF talks Air Force innovation across JBSA, Austin

560th FTS welcomes newest Pilot for a Day
June 29, 2018 — In December 1994 the 560th Flying Training Squadron started the program “Pilot for a Day.” The program offers children with lifelong disabilities the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a U.S. Air Force pilot... MORE

Maj. Justin Stimets, 560th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, speaks with Megan Foster aboard a T-38 Talon during her “Pilot for a Day” orientation June 26, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The "Pilot for a Day" program invites children of all ages, military or civilian, to be guests of the 12th Flying Training Wing and its flying squadrons for an entire day. Doing so, the 12th FTW strives to give each child a special day and a break from the challenges they may face. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joel Martinez/Released)

Vogel Resiliency Center hosts ‘Social Media Safety and Cyberbullying Awareness’ workshop July 16
June 29, 2018 — Parents can learn the risks and dangers their children are exposed to on social media, including online cyberbullying, and what to do about it at the “Social Media Safety and Cyberbullying Awareness” workshop at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Vogel Resiliency Center, building 367, from 4 to 6 p.m. July 16... MORE

The workshop will also educate parents on how to identify warning signs of children who are being bullied online and how to notice behaviors, including anxiety, depression and isolation, which are associated with bullying and could lead to suicide.

Service dog rescues veteran from despair of PTSD
June 29, 2018 — After battling night terrors and the pain and anxiety of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for decades, an Air Force veteran found his lifeline at the end of a dog leash. (Editor's Note: This is part 2 of Ryan Kaono's story about living with PTSD.) ... MORE

Ryan Kaono's work area at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center clearly shows his cube mate and service dog Romeo belongs there too.

59th Medical Wing paramedic channels passion to save lives
June 29, 2018 — For Senior Airman Tyler Stager, a paramedic from the 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland,, having the unique opportunity to work as an emergency responder is a way of life for him... MORE

Senior Airman Tyler Stager, a paramedic with the 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, poses for a photo at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. Stager is part of a team of paramedics within the 59th MDW that serve both JBSA and the San Antonio area.

Army medical readiness exercise provides rural Salvadorans with medical, dental care
June 29, 2018 — Army dentists took part in a medical readiness exercise that included a team of 40 that included Peruvian and Salvadoran doctors and nurses. Of the 40, 32 were U.S. Army medical personnel from Combined Joint Task Force Hope participating in the Beyond the Horizon exercise, which is led by U.S. Army South. The larger scope of the humanitarian exercise included construction of clinics and schools. The dental MEDRETE in Olocuilta, one of five that will be conducted during the exercise, started June 25 and concludes June 29... MORE

A Salvadoran girl gets dental care during a medical readiness training exercise June 24, 2018, at Centro Escolar Canton La Esperanza de Olocuilta, El Salvador. The MEDRET is part of U.S. Army South-led Beyond the Horizon exercise lasting May 12 through August 4. The exercise involves about 1,800 Soldiers of all components, part of Combined Joint Task Force Hope and includes MEDRETS and construction of schools and a clinic addition.

Incentive flight gives graphic artist insight into pilots’ use of tablet computer
June 28, 2018 — A special event in the career of a 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs graphic artist last week at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph provided him with a pilot’s perspective of a device that is transforming information management in the cockpit throughout Air Education and Training Command... MORE

Tony Ervin, 502nd Air Base Wing, Public Affairs illustrator, prepares to test the electronic flight bag during flight, June 21, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. EFBs are used by aircrews to plan, execute and debrief flights. Applications on the tablets enable pilots and their crews to determine weather patterns, approach paths, flight line makeup and other relevant information used during all types of flying missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joel Martinez)

25th Air Force mission leader recognized for life-long dedication to ISR networks
June 28, 2018 — When Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance computer networks have outages, Chuck Ham is the man to call. A Mission Operations shift leader in the 625th Operations Center, 25th Air Force, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Ham was recently recognized for his incredible, life-long dedication to the Intelligence Community when he was presented the Meritorious Service to the Intelligence Community Award by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. ... MORE

Chuck Ham, a Mission Operations shift leader in the 625th Operations Center, 25th Air Force, Ham was recently recognized for his incredible, life-long dedication to the Intelligence Community when he was presented the Meritorious Service to the Intelligence Community Award by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association.

Commentary: When the storms of life arise, how do you survive the onslaught?
June 28, 2018 — The storms of life appear in many forms. Some are small and arise as unexpected showers to rain on your parade, while others last so long they leave you exhausted -- mentally, physically, emotionally or even spiritually... MORE

67th Cyberspace Wing welcomes new commander
June 28, 2018 — Col. Bradley Pyburn relinquished command of the 67th Cyberspace Wing to Col. Melissa Cunningham during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland June 20. Maj. Gen. Chris Weggeman, Air Forces Cyber commander, presided over the ceremony... MORE

Maj. Gen. Chris Weggeman (left), Air Forces Cyber commander, presents the 67th Cyberspace Wing guidon to Col. Melissa Cunningham (right), 67th CW commander, during the wing’s change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland June 20. Col. Bradley Pyburn relinquished command of the wing to Cunningham.