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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

Logistics and Materiel Management courses prepare IAAFA students
March 7, 2018 — At the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the International Logistics course teaches students how to get materiel while the Materiel Management course tells them what to do with it once they have it... MORE

The Materiel Management course taught at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas teaches students about warehouse design, how to build it and how to maintain it.

Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio studies effectiveness of potential snakebite treatments
March 7, 2018 — Two researchers at Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are studying the effectiveness of potential antivenom treatments in improving care for service members with snakebites... MORE

The illustration shows how therapeutic phages can be used as an antivenom in treating snakebites. Phages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, enter the body and target venom components. Once the phages stick to the venom components, they are able to inactivate the venom compounds and clear the compounds from the body. The research into the use of therapeutic phages is being conducted by Dr. Yoon Hwang, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio research scientist.

Service members serving on Sinai Peninsula eligible for tax refund
March 7, 2018 — Service members serving in a designated combat zone are eligible to exempt military pay from their taxable income. ... MORE

In December 2018, Congress declared the Sinai Peninsula a combat zone for tax purposes effective June 9, 2015. Soldiers serving in a designated combat zone are eligible to exempt military pay from their taxable income. The reduction in taxable income may result in a higher refund.

Mission and Installation Contracting Command senior acquisition leaders discuss key topics
March 7, 2018 — Acquisition leaders from throughout the Mission and Installation Contracting Command are meeting to discuss contracting priorities at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Housto... MORE

Brig. Gen. Bill Boruff welcomes Army contracting leaders from throughout the Mission and Installation Contracting Command March 6 and sets expectations for the three-day 2018 Acquisition Leaders Training Event at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. More than 60 leaders from the MICC headquarters and its subordinate organizations throughout the country are participating in the ALTE. Boruff is the MICC commanding general.

Know the difference between a scald and burn
March 7, 2018 — Most of us may be aware what the impact a first-, second- or third-degree burn can cause on the human body. But the majority of us are unfamiliar on what scalding can have. Scalding recognition and prevention are not widely discussed as much as burns... MORE

What’s the difference between a burn and a scald? Recognizing the difference of these two injuries will help you decide if the pain you or a family member is experiencing is a burn or a scald.

Civilian developmental education window for academic year 2019 open through May 1
March 6, 2018 — Eligible Air Force civilians have until May 1 to submit their civilian developmental education program applications to the Air Force Personnel Center for the 2019 academic year. ... MORE

Eligible Air Force civilians have until May 1, 2018, to submit their civilian developmental education program applications to the Air Force’s Personnel Center for the 2019 academic year. CDE offers more than 25 programs to help civilians develop leadership and management competencies.

Two-cycle officer assignment system means more time for Airmen, families to make career decisions
March 6, 2018 — In a move toward a more efficient and transparent process, the Air Force’s Personnel Center is transitioning the Air Force Officer Assignment System from three to two cycles. This modification will allow more time for interaction and communication between officers, billet owners, commanders and assignment teams. ... MORE

In a move toward a more efficient and transparent process, the Air Force’s Personnel Center is transitioning the Air Force Officer Assignment System from three to two cycles.

Air Force Civil Engineer Center revives in-person Air Installations Compatible Use Zones Program training
March 5, 2018 — In support of missions around the globe, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center revived a workshop long lost to the world of online training... MORE

Meg Reyes, Joint Base San Antonio Community Initiatives director, addresses attendees at the Air Installations Compatible Use Zones Program conference at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Feb. 27. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center hosted event brought AICUZ personnel from all around the Department of Defense, as well as representatives from the Office of Economic Adjustment and Department of Agriculture to discuss and share best practices with each other. The overall goal of the program is to protect the health, safety and welfare of those living and working on or near military installations while ensuring the continued flight operations.

JBSA-Lackland public health Airman inspects and connects in Afghanistan
March 5, 2018 — There are 63 districts at high risk and 135 districts at medium risk of malaria. Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, which is located in eastern Afghanistan, has the highest level malaria burden... MORE

Staff Sgt. Nikola Bozic, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group public health technician, inputs data into his computer after conducting his routine food inspection of the Grady dining facility Feb. 15, 2018 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Currently deployed from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Bozic is originally from Bosnia and has been in the Air Force for five years.

Reducing energy use shrinks utility bills, impact on planet
March 5, 2018 — No matter the season – whether it’s summer, when temperatures in South Texas climb into triple-digit territory, or winter, when cold fronts sometimes bring deep freezes – consumers should strive to be as energy-conscious as possible... MORE

Consumers should strive to be as energy effecient as possible.

59th Medical Wing expedites Airmen’s return to training
March 5, 2018 — The 59th Medical Wing’s cardiology clinic, located at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, is working to help Airmen complete their training as quickly and as safely as possible... MORE

Suzanne Packard, a Cardiology Phase II instructor at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, explains a cardio sonogram to Trenton Moore, Basic Military Training trainee at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, during the Basic Military Training Fast Track program Feb. 28, 2018. The 59th Medical Wing’s weekly program gives trainees in BMT technical school on cardiology-related medical hold a singular location to have their issues tested and identified.

Genealogy program at JBSA-Randolph helps attendees untangle family trees
March 5, 2018 — A program that started March 1 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Library is helping attendees overcome the obstacles they encounter as they research their family trees... MORE

Vintage family photos show a connection to the past through genealogy. (Courtesy Graphic)