Joint Base San Antonio > News

U.S., Colombia Armies begin PISAJ 14
November 11, 2020 — U.S. Army South held an opening ceremony for the first virtual iteration of the semi-annual military-to-military engagement, "Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquía," or PISAJ, on Nov. 9 at the Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Trevor Walker, U.S. Army South command sergeant major, and General-de-Brigada Alcides Faria, Jr., U.S. Army South deputy commanding general, virtually take part in the PISAJ 14 opening ceremony at Army South Headquarters on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 10. PISAJ an acronym in Spanish for “Programa Integral Para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarquia.”

Local Navy recruiters perform life-saving skills on shooting victim
November 10, 2020 — When aboard ship or ashore, Sailors are expected to be able to react to any situation, ranging from enemy engagement to applying medical care to an injured shipmate. For two Sailors assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, their Navy training kicked in Nov. 5 after a shooting near a local high school. ... MORE

Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Davis of San Antonio is assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio.

ARNORTH oversees military COVID-19 operation in El Paso
November 6, 2020 — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, three U.S. Air Force Medical Specialty Teams, including members of the 59th Medical Wing, were part of a Department of Defense COVID-19 operation in Texas that deployed Nov. 6 to El Paso. U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, will oversee the military operation in support of federal efforts and the state... MORE

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, three U.S. Air Force Medical Specialty Teams, including members of the 59th Medical Wing, were part of a Department of Defense COVID-19 operation in Texas that deployed Nov. 6 to El Paso. U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, will oversee the military operation in support of federal efforts and the state.

ARNORTH kicks off Exercise Fuerzas Amigas
November 5, 2020 — Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commanding general U. S. Army North (Fifth Army), and Command Sgt. Maj. Phil K. Barretto, ARNORTH senior enlisted leader, conducted a video teleconference Nov. 2 with Lt. Gen. Celestino Ávila Astudillo, Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Military Region II commander, to kick off Exercise Fuerzas Amigas... MORE

Fuerzas Amigas is an annual Theater Security Cooperation exercise, focused on disaster response to foster and build a military-to-military partnership between U.S. Army North and the Mexican military.

BAMC combat medic earns U.S. citizenship
November 5, 2020 — For most people, waking up as an American citizen is just a given – a circumstance of birth. For one Soldier at Brooke Army Medical Center, the right to be an American took more than a decade to earn... MORE

Spec. Diego Timoteo (right), an Army Combat Medic at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, checks an incoming patient at BAMC’s drive-through COVID-19 testing area. Timoteo, a native of Brazil, recently earned his American citizenship.

New tool aims to enable commanders to track, prevent high-risk behaviors
November 4, 2020 — Active duty command teams now have a new tool to help give them more visibility on Soldiers who exhibit high-risk behaviors, as part of the Army’s effort in placing greater emphasis on its people... MORE

The Army's new Commander's Risk Reduction Toolkit

ARSOUTH, multinational planners prepare for PANAMAX with Planning in Crisis event
November 4, 2020 — On the road leading up to PANAMAX, the major capstone training exercise for U.S. Army South, military officers from Brazil, Colombia and Peru arrived to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston to take part in the Multinational Forces South Planning in Crisis event Oct. 26-30... MORE

Military officers from Brazil, Colombia and Peru conduct mission analysis as part of the Planning in Crisis exercise Oct. 28 hosted by U.S. Army South and held at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 26-30. The exercise allowed partner nations from the Western Hemisphere to plan and develop an operation order with component commands in preparation for the U.S. Southern Command PANAMAX exercise.

Improvements to Soldier movement ensure MEDCoE training continues
November 3, 2020 — U.S. Army Soldiers continue to train at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, despite the added challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. How they arrive and later depart, however, has changed. ... MORE

A Soldier has his temperature checked after arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field Annex from Fort Jackson, Mississippi, on a chartered flight. Checking for symptoms is one of the many preventive measures in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

San Antonio Military Health System seeks volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine trial
November 3, 2020 — Two San Antonio Military Health System facilities are seeking volunteers from among the military beneficiary population to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial... MORE

Marcy Edwards, a Military Health System beneficiary, signs up for Operation Warp Speed Nov. 2. Operation Warp Speed is a national initiative to accelerate the development, production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

FSHISD schools awarded Purple Star designation
November 3, 2020 — The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, announced Oct. 29 that both Fort Sam Houston Elementary School and Robert G. Cole Middle and High School have been awarded the Purple Star Designation for their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of their military-connected students... MORE

The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, announced Oct. 29 that both Fort Sam Houston Elementary School and Robert G. Cole Middle and High School have been awarded the Purple Star Designation for their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of their military-connected students.

JBSA recognizes hard work of volunteers at annual awards ceremony
October 30, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio recognized the hard work of individuals and groups who have contributed to the betterment of the military community during its ninth annual Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony Oct. 28 at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center... MORE

Christopher Lowry (left), Chief, Military and Family Readiness, present the “Big Check” to Col. Shane R. Cuellar, 502nd Force Support Group commander. The check represents in dollars the amount of volunteer hours the program provides to Joint Base San Antonio. The presentation was made during the Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Oct. 28.

Medical professionals from BAMC, Argentine Army discuss COVID best practices
October 28, 2020 — Medical professionals from Brooke Army Medical Center and Argentine Army’s Central Military Medical Hospital didn't let 5,600 miles of separation keep them from discussing best practices against COVID-19 Oct. 21... MORE

Argentine Army Col. Oscar Zarich (left), Argentine Partner Nation Liaison Officer, U.S. Army South, moderates a COVID-19 subject matter expert exchange between doctors from the Argentine Army and Brooke Army Medical Center Oct. 21.

Interservice Physician Assistant Program application season open through January 2021
October 27, 2020 — The Interservice Physician Assistant Program, or IPAP, is accepting applications through Jan. 22, 2021 from active duty enlisted and officer service members interested in caring for Airmen, Space professionals and their families. IPAP is a 29-month, two phase program that includes 16 months of academics followed by 13 months of hands-on training at a military medical treatment facility... MORE

The Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) is accepting applications through January 22, 2021 from active duty enlisted and officer service members interested in caring for Airmen, Space professionals and their families.

Annual U.S.-Brazil army-to-army staff talks secure readiness, friendship
October 26, 2020 — The U.S. Army has engaged in annual bilateral staff talks with the Brazilian Army beginning in 1984. This meeting marks the 36th time the two armies have met for staff talks... MORE

Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath (left), U.S. Army South commanding general, and General de Brigada Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho, 5th deputy chief of staff for the Brazilian Army, sign documents to approve agreed-to-actions and a five year plan between the two armies to conclude the U.S., Brazil army-to-army staff talks at Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 23.

Counselor guides career paths of NTAG San Antonio Sailors
October 26, 2020 — When service members with Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio have questions about or need guidance on their career options in the Navy, one person they can reach out to is Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Harris... MORE

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Harris, Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio assistant command career counselor, briefs Cmdr. Nicholas Gamiz, NTAG San Antonio commanding officer, on the Command Career Counselor Program at NTAG San Antonio headquarters in August.

MEDCoE hosts Brazilian delegation
October 22, 2020 — The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence hosted a Brazilian delegation visiting JBSA-Fort Sam Houston as part of a larger trip hosted by U.S Army South from October 19-23... MORE

(From left) Maj. Gen. Miranda Filho, J.M. Harmon III and Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster discus future education and training opportunities between the two countries during the Brazilian delegation visit.

MEDCoE hosts ribbon cutting for National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 21, 2020 — In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence command team of Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster and Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Charpentier hosted a small-ribbon cutting setting Oct. 16 for the organization’s newly installed ADA compliant ramp that ensures better accessibility to and from the command headquarters building and Willis Hall at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence command team of Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster and Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Charpentier hosted a small-ribbon cutting setting Oct. 16 for the organization’s newly installed ADA compliant ramp that ensures better accessibility to and from the command headquarters building and Willis Hall at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

ARNORTH concludes military wildland fire ground response operations in California
October 21, 2020 — At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, and in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, concluded its wildland fire ground response operations in California Oct. 20... MORE

At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, and in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, concluded its wildland fire ground response operations in California Oct. 20.

U.S. Army South hosts 36th annual U.S., Brazil army-to-army staff talks
October 21, 2020 — U.S. Army South hosted an opening ceremony Oct. 20 to officially begin U.S. and Brazil army-to-army staff talks, a weeklong series of meetings held to strengthen professional partnerships and increase interaction between armies at the Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath (right), commanding General, U.S. Army South, greets Brig. Gen. Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho (left), 5th deputy chief of staff of the Brazilian Army and the head of delegation for Brazil during the U.S., Brazil army-to-army staff talks at Army South Headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 20.

MEDCoE hosts Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
October 21, 2020 — During his first visit to San Antonio, the Hon. Thomas McCaffery, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visited the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence as part of a larger visit to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston from Oct. 19-21... MORE

Lt. Col. Kathleen Samsey and Capt. Cesar Veliz provide Thomas McCaffery, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, a briefing on the patient simulators used to teach students during the Combat Paramedic course at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 19.