Joint Base San Antonio > News

Getting mental healthcare with TRICARE For Life: What you need to know
May 21, 2026 — Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your body—and if you have TRICARE For Life, you have coverage that helps you get the care you need, when you need it... MORE

Women sitting on a couch with her hands clasped and her legs crossed.

Print or digital: Your options for getting TRICARE benefit information
May 21, 2026 — Keeping up to date with TRICARE health information is part of making the right healthcare choices for both you and your family members. Equally important, however, is how you manage your healthcare communications so you have quick and easy access to important records and information. This includes your explanation of benefits statements, bills, claims correspondence, and more... MORE

Man in blue shirt sits at a kitchen table and reads a piece of paper

New host, high jungle maneuvers focus for Western Hemisphere Command infantry exercise Southern Vanguard
May 21, 2026 — Roughly 30 U.S. and 20 Peruvian Army soldiers and staff got together for the Exercise Southern Vanguard 2026 Mid-Planning Conference at the PERAR Jungle School of El Sauce on May 4-7, 2026... MORE

Air Force releases latest field grade officer promotions
May 21, 2026 — The Air Force selected 382 active duty majors for promotion to lieutenant colonel during recent P0525B (Chaplain, Judge Advocate General, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps, Biomedical Sciences Corps) and M0525A (Dental Corps and Medical Corps) central selection boards... MORE

Air Force chaplains build resilience through trauma response training
May 21, 2026 — Chaplains, religious affairs Airmen and medical personnel assigned to the Expeditionary Medical Support team conducted simulated trauma training May 13 at the Medical Readiness Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis... MORE

Two chaplains stand over a patient in a tent and they are praying over the patient and checking vital signs.

DAF leaders outline readiness, modernization priorities in FY27 budget testimony
May 21, 2026 — Department of the Air Force and Department of War leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee May 20 on the fiscal year 2027 budget request... MORE

National Defense Strategy prioritizes America first, leader says
May 21, 2026 — The U.S. will prioritize theaters with the greatest consequence for national interests and where only American power can play a decisive role, said Daniel Zimmerman, assistant secretary of war for international security affairs, who spoke during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee... MORE

A man in business attire sits at a desk and speaks into a microphone. In front of him is a place card that reads, "HON Zimmerman," and behind him are seated people in similar attire.

Senior DOW tech official says department AI use up 1,775% in past year
May 21, 2026 — Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering and War Department chief technology officer, said that use of artificial intelligence across the department is up by roughly 1.42 million users over the past calendar year. ... MORE

A building with five sides is photographed from above.

Defense Travel System payment processing system update May 21
May 21, 2026 — The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) system used to process and disburse all Defense Travel System (DTS) payments is being updated on May 21, 2026. Monitor the status of your travel vouchers and payments during the week of this system transition. ... MORE

Memorial Day: remain mindful of the importance of safety on and off duty
May 20, 2026 — Memorial Day is a time for us to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. As we gather with family and friends this holiday weekend, let us also remain mindful of the importance of safety both on and off duty... MORE

Air Force implements T-38 Talon operational pause
May 19, 2026 — The Air Force is implementing a fleet-wide operational pause for all T-38 Talon aircraft, ensuring the continued safety of Air Force personnel and equipment during an ongoing investigation... MORE

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awards $500 million counter-UAS contract
May 19, 2026 — JIATF 401 awarded a three-year contract with a $500 million ceiling to support enterprisewide counter-unmanned aerial system operations, ensuring that top-tier technologies can be rapidly scaled and sustained in response to evolving threats... MORE

Two large drones and several smaller aerial practice targets fly in a blue sky.

NAMRU San Antonio participates in 2026 ProPEL Science Symposium
May 19, 2026 — Research scientists assigned to the Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, and U.S. Air Force's 59th Medical Wing participated in the Defense Health Agency’s annual Promote Professional Engagement amongst Military Laboratories (ProPEL) Science Symposium held at the VelocityTX Innovation Center in San Antonio, Texas... MORE

SAN ANTONIO – (May 18, 2026) – U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Tiller, commanding officer, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, speaks with John Lamberton of the DLH Corporation at the Defense Health Agency’s annual Promote Professional Engagement amongst Military Laboratories (ProPEL) Science Symposium held at the VelocityTX Innovation Center. The event brought together military medical professionals, researchers, students, and academic partners to explore the latest in defense health innovation. Attendees at ProPEL heard from several San Antonio Centers of Excellence to include research presentations on Battlefield/Point of Injury, Prolonged Field Care/Early Interventions, and Integrated Rehabilitation and Human Performance. Collaborating and working alongside a wide range of research and development partners keeps Navy Medicine Research & Development (NMR&D) abreast of best practices and advances in medical knowledge. NAMRU San Antonio, part of NMR&D conducts gap-driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research in support of Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighter health readiness and lethality while engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. (Photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

Air Force realigns enlisted aviator training under 12th FTW, 19th Air Force
May 19, 2026 — The 12th Training Squadron activated Detachment 1 during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on May 15, 2026, marking a new chapter in the Air Force’s enlisted aviator training mission... MORE

Security cooperation enables Airman’s American Dream
May 19, 2026 — Even before she was born, Bryanna Garcia was destined to be an Airman. Her father, then-Master Sgt. Jacob Garcia of the Colombian Air Force, served at Joint base San Antonio-Lackland as a partner nation instructor at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in 2006. Early this May, almost 19 years later, she stood on the parade field near the very place she was born and swore to defend the nation her father once served with as an international partner... MORE

Airman Bryanna Garcia, stands at the parade field after graduating from Basic Military Training, May 7, 2026. Her father Jacob Garcia served as a Partner Nation Instructor at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in 2006 for two years. Garcia was born in the U.S. and was inspired to follow in her father’s footsteps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Vanessa R. Adame)

MTI captures first place at inaugural Joint Warrior Challenge
May 19, 2026 — Against the very best from every branch of the military, individuals forged in excellence, discipline, and relentless commitment, an Air Force military training instructor stood tall and emerged victorious. Master Sgt. Jesus Cintron, assigned to the 320th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, earned first place in the inaugural Joint Warrior Challenge on Fort Jackson, South Carolina, April 20... MORE

An Air Force military training instructor conducts the three-repetition, maximum dead lift while competing alongside drill sergeants and drill sergeant leaders during the Fort Jackson & USADSA Drill Sergeant of the Year competition as part of the Joint Warrior Competition at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, April 20, 2026. The Joint Warrior Competition provides an opportunity for drill instructors from other branches to compete against U.S. Army drill sergeants as part of a joint collaboration to share ideas.

Army advances barracks modernization efforts to improve quality of life
May 19, 2026 — The Army has accelerated efforts to strengthen quality-of-life investments across installations, showing a long-term commitment to ensuring soldiers live and work in facilities that reflect the professionalism, standards and readiness expectations of the service. ... MORE

A man wearing a safety vest and a helmet installs a cabinet.

Under Secretary of the Air Force visits Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center
May 18, 2026 — Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier visited the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on May 11, receiving briefings from AFIMSC leadership providing the command's role and responsibility in DAF-wide installation and warfighter lethality and readiness... MORE

Mission Driven, People Powered: Highlighting Petty Officer 1st Class JoAnna Bucheger
May 18, 2026 — Naval Medical Forces Development Command and Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command are mission driven and people powered. Petty Officer 1st Class JoAnna Bucheger, assistant manager for NMLPDC's enlisted commissioning programs, answered a few questions about her vital support to NMLPDC and the NMFDC region... MORE

Naval Medical Forces Development Command and Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command (NMLPDC) are mission driven and people powered. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class JoAnna Bucheger is the Enlisted Commissioning Programs Assistant Manager at NMLPDC, which creates a pathway for enlisted Sailors and Marines to earn their commissions in the Navy Nurse Corps and across 12 critical specialties in the Medical Service Corps. (U.S. Navy graphic by Malcolm McClendon)

Owning the Cyber Battlespace: Sixteenth Air Force bolsters allied cyber defense in Poland
May 18, 2026 — As cyber warfare increasingly shapes the 21st-century battlefield, Sixteenth Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to allied security and proactive defense during the Impact’26 strategic forum and subsequent bilateral engagements May 13-14... MORE