SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
San Antonio area families can express their warmth and
hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by
allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere
through Operation Home Cooking Nov. 26.
Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite
two Airmen or trainees to spend Thanksgiving in their home by calling 671-5453,
5454 or 3701.
To request an Airman or trainee by name, the requestor must
be an immediate family member, e.g., mother, father, brother, sister or
grandparent, and live in the San Antonio Metropolitan area.
Exceptions will be made for Airmen in the seventh week of
training.
Requests can be made Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3
p.m.
Reservations are required to serve as hosts and there will
be no same-day requests made.
In its 40th year, the program provides the opportunity for
families to share their traditional Thanksgiving celebrations with Airmen and
those currently in Air Force Basic training.
Throughout the years, families have generously opened their
homes to trainees and service members recognizing that many of them are away
from home for the first time.
Potential hosts who do not possess a Department of Defense common access card will
require a full background check and a visitor’s pass prior to being approved as
a host.
Hosts can pick up their visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate
Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24 hours a day, through Nov. 25.
Once the total number of Airmen and trainees eligible for
the program is reached, phone operators will stop taking requests.
Out-of-town relatives who have trainees in basic training
that will be graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for
Thanksgiving lunch and dinner.
Since trainees are not permitted to have personal
transportation during training, hosts must come to the Pfingston Reception
Center.
If the Airman or trainee is identified as a by name request,
they will be picked up from their respective squadrons Thanksgiving Day between
7 and 11 a.m.
All Airmen and basic trainees must be returned to their
respective squadrons no later than 7 p.m.
For any questions or concerns, call the 37th Training Wing
Public Affairs Office at
671-2128/3136.