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Air Force Voting Assistance Officer training workshop planned for March 23
March 14, 2018 — The 802d Force Support Squadron Military & Family Readiness Centers now plan and administer the Air Force Voting Assistance Program. In conjunction with the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, a congressionally mandated Voting Assistance Officer, or VAO, training workshop is being offered... MORE

The 802d Force Support Squadron Military & Family Readiness Centers now plan and administer the Air Force Voting Assistance Program. In conjunction with the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, a congressionally mandated Voting Assistance Officer, or VAO, training workshop is being offered.

Test pilot briefs T-6 nation
March 13, 2018 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas—An F-16 Fighting Falcon’s sustained 9 g-force break turn is no small matter on a normal day. Imagine yourself there. Your head weighs 180 pounds and your arms... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Elliott, Air Force Strategic Policy fellow, was recorded while presenting a briefing at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas on Feb. 22, 2018. Elliott’s briefing, sharing an aviator’s perspective on physiological events in flight, is now being integrated into student undergraduate pilot training across Air Education and Training Command bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Peterson)

Service Secretaries: People Are Most Important Part of DOD’s Success
March 13, 2018 — Speaking at a forum in Washington March 12 on issues surrounding the president’s fiscal year 2019 defense budget request, the three service secretaries agreed that the Defense Department’s most crucial need is continued investment in people... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson (right) coins 1st Lt. Laura Soderberg, 18th Wing protocol officer in charge, Feb. 2, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Challenge coins are a military tradition in which a senior military leader or a member of a distinguished office acknowledges the awards, accomplishments or significant acts of a particular service member.

JBSA receives $62K rebate from CPS Energy
March 13, 2018 — Joint Base San Antonio, CPS Energy's largest customer, received a five-figure check March 13 for its participation in a demand response program by the utility... MORE

Garrick Williams (left), JBSA Energy Solutions director with CPS Energy, presents (from left) Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle (right), 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, Col. Lee Flemming, 502nd ABW and JBSA vice commander, and Brenda Roesch, 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron director, a rebate check for $62,763.04 at the 502nd ABW headquarters at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston March 13.

Naval History Essay Contest open to professional and amateur historians alike
March 13, 2018 — The Chief of Naval Operations has announced the requirements for the 2018 Naval History Essay Contest with a submission deadline of June 30. The essay contest is open to professional and amateur historians alike, whether they're in the Navy or not... MORE

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) has announced the requirements for the 2018 Naval History Essay Contest with a submission deadline of June 30.

Airmen feedback critical to future Air Force
March 13, 2018 — Select total force Airmen will be chosen to participate in one of two surveys supporting the Invisible Wounds Initiative... MORE

The 2018 IWI Culture Assessment Survey and the 2018 Invisible Wounds Needs Assessment are confidential, voluntary surveys that will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Military working dogs continue to serve and sacrifice
March 13, 2018 — March 13 marks National K9 Veterans Day, a day to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military and working dogs throughout history... MORE

Senior Airman Jordan Fuller, 802nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and his MWD, Rocco, perform maneuvers Feb. 23, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex. Handlers regularly practice obedience training with their working dogs to increase their team cohesiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Johnny Saldivar/released)

Front and Center: Be a leader people trust and come to with their problems
March 13, 2018 — Since he started in the 12th Maintenance Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in September of 2016, Dave Duggar has brought experience and innovation to the J-85 propulsion shop... MORE

Dave Duggar, 12th Maintenance Group J-85 propulsion shop supervisor, conducts an inspection on a T-38 Talon engine Feb. 28 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Duggar oversees the engine shop and test cell ensuring T-38 engines are "mission ready" to conduct daily sorties for the 12th Flying Training Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean M. Worrell)

Get out the vote, know when your state’s primary elections are
March 12, 2018 — Don’t miss your opportunity to vote in your state's primary election as it will determine who is on the November 2018 general election ballot... MORE

To find your state's election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit the FVAPs contact page at http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact.

New partnership encourages kids to explore great outdoors
March 12, 2018 — The Air Force Services Activity is partnering with the National Park Trust to bring the Buddy Bison Great Outdoors Challenge to military families at installations. The Buddy Bison program encourages children and families to participate in programs such as camping, canoeing, fishing and hiking while exploring local, state and national parks. ... MORE

Future anglers pose with their first catch at Beale Air Force Base’s Upper Blackwelder Lake, Calif. The Air Force recently partnered with the National Park Trust to bring the Buddy Bison Great Outdoors Challenge to military families at several installations. The program encourages children and families to spend less time in front of a screen and more time outdoors.

Officials approve Humanitarian Service Medal for recent disaster relief, specify eligibility requirements
March 12, 2018 — The Joint Staff recently approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for service members, Coast Guardsmen, and members of the Reserve components, to include the National Guard, who were physically present during recent hurricane disaster relief. ... MORE

Any qualified personnel who directly participated with Hurricane Harvey, Irma or Maria relief efforts and provided disaster support to impacted areas would merit receipt of the award.

Dignity and protection: learning walking cane self-defense
March 12, 2018 — The Jimmy Brought Fitness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was buzzing with activity Feb 3 as weights were clanging, elliptical machines were churning, music was blaring, and patrons seemed to be keeping their New Year’s resolution to take care of their bodies. There was also a distinct group of 40 active duty service members, wounded warriors, veterans and family members who commandeered some space in the gym to learn the intricacies of walking cane self-defense. ... MORE

Master Phillip Lobo, a fighting and fitness instructor, demonstrates a cane self-defense strike technique on instructor Evan Payne, while assisting the Warrior Cane Project train 40 active duty service members, wounded warriors, veterans, and family members in cane self-defense tactics Feb. 3 at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Lobo and Payne, along with several other instructors provided a 3-hour session teaching the intricacies of cane self-defense.

Cole High School robotics team preparing for state contest
March 12, 2018 — Three Cole High School students have earned a spot in the state robotics contest after their robotics project was judged the best in an area contest in January... MORE

Cole High School students Mitchell Hafer (left) and Henry Yowell (right) make adjustments to their robot while they prepare to test it in a classroom. Hafer and Yowell, members of the Cole robotics team, helped build and design the robot whose performance earned first place for Cole at the Texas Computer Educators Association, or TCEA, robotics area contest Jan. 20. As a result of their first-place showing, the team will compete in the TCEA State Robotics Challenge Contest April 7 at Hutto High School, near Austin.

Legal team helps members facing separation due to disability
March 12, 2018 — Air Force members who face separation from the service due to a medical condition need not stand alone as they navigate the Disability Evaluation System process... MORE

Air Force members who face separation from the service due to a medical condition need not stand alone as they navigate the Disability Evaluation System process.

New air control tower planned for Kelly Field
March 10, 2018 — One of the oldest military airfield towers in the United States, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, is on track to be replaced for a much needed, updated tower that could come as early as 2019... MORE

An F-15E Strike Eagle flies past the current air control tower at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas Oct. 31, 2008.

Innovation Flight open house highlights virtual reality training
March 9, 2018 — The Battlefield Airmen Training Group Innovation Flight held an open house at Forbes Hall at Joint Base San Antonio-Medina Annex Feb. 28 to display virtual reality technology to senior leadership... MORE

Commentary: Seize opportunities when they are presented
March 8, 2018 — Has there ever been a time when a friend or co-worker approached you and said, “I’ve got a (insert volunteer, training or TDY here) opportunity for you.” What was your first thought? Was it excitement and eagerness or was it self-doubt and dread? If it was the latter, this is for you... MORE

Derek Andersen, Startup Grind founder and chief executive officer, gives opening the remarks at the 2018 Startup Grind Global Conference in Redwood City, California, Feb. 14, 2018. Startup Grind hosts monthly events in 250 cities and 100 countries featuring successful founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned in building companies.

Trauma care innovations saving Soldiers' lives, says USAISR commander
March 8, 2018 — Col. Shawn C. Nessen, a trauma surgeon who served on the battlefields of Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2008, credits three trauma care procedures as being among those responsible for saving the most lives. Nessen is commander of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. ... MORE

Col. Shawn C. Nessen (center), commander of the 541st (Airborne) Forward Surgical Team in Afghanistan, works on a patient in the operating room while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Army Medical Command Center & School Headquarters Support Company welcomes new commander
March 8, 2018 — Maj. William K. White took command of the U.S. Army Medical Command Center & School Headquarters Support Company March 7 by accepting the unit colors from Col. Thomas S. Bundt, AMEDDC&S Chief of Staff... MORE

Maj. William K. White (center) took command of the U.S. Army Medical Command Center and School Headquarters Support Company, by accepting the unit colors from Col. Thomas S. Bundt (right), Chief of Staff AMEDDC&S. White comes to the HSC after serving as the executive of the Officer, Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Health and Business Administration. He replaces Maj. Lisa M. Chabot (left) who is retiring from the U.S. Army after 26 years of service. The change of command ceremony was held at the AMEDD Museum amphitheater.

JBSA-Lackland library gets a fresh, new look
March 7, 2018 — The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland library, which opened in May 1969, was one of seven Air Force libraries approved last year for $274,000 in military funds to remodel. The library’s new design is part of a modern bookstore layout plan many libraries are gravitating toward... MORE