JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland training students went out in record numbers to local homes this Thanksgiving Day for Operation Homecooking.
Now in its 36th year, Operation Homecooking gives local families an opportunity to share their Thanksgiving tradition with service members who are away from home, many for the first time while attending Air Force basic military training or one of several technical schools on base.
According to Lawrence Gill, Air Force Basic Military Training scheduling manager, 4,889 BMT trainees and JBSA-Lackland technical training students, including 30 students from JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, spent Thanksgiving Day with families in the local community.
"This was the largest Operation Homecooking yet," Gill said.
This year's total was a 33 percent increase from 2010 when 3,662 Airmen and basic trainees were hosted by local residents.
The number of host families also grew proportionally, jumping to 2,624 from just over 1,900 the previous year.
Gerry Proctor, 37th Training Wing public affairs, said the growth in participation bolsters San Antonio's reputation as "Military City, USA."
"The increase truly shows how generous the people of San Antonio are during the Thanksgiving holiday," said Col. Eric Axelbank, 37th Training Wing commander.
Service members who remained on base were also treated to a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal.
They were served by senior leaders and their wives, who volunteered at dining facilities throughout the installation.
Operation Homecooking began in 1975 as an opportunity for local families to bring young Airmen into their homes and share their Thanksgiving Day traditions.