Joint Base San Antonio > News

Garrison commanders come together virtually to improve Army quality of life
November 25, 2020 — More than 150 leaders from Army posts around the world connected virtually with the leadership of U.S. Army Installation Management Command at IMCOM’s annual Garrison Commander Conference Nov. 16-20... MORE

More than 150 leaders from Army posts around the world connected virtually last week with the leadership of U.S. Army Installation Management Command at IMCOM’s annual Garrison Commander Conference.

U.S. Army Medical Department Museum receives prestigious re-accreditation
November 25, 2020 — The U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was recently re-accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, or AAM. This important milestone means the museum continues to meet national standards and best practices for museums in the United States... MORE

(From left) Museum specialist Chris Goodrow, exhibit specialist Lupe Perez, and archivist Carlos Alvarado work on the finishing touches for featured posters on display in the World War I gallery exhibit at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

JBSA medical facilities support Operation Warp Speed
November 25, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio’s Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, or WHASC, and Brooke Army Medical Center are supporting the Department of Defense on Operation Warp Speed, which seeks to pioneer vaccines for COVID-19. The vaccine trial began at JBSA Nov. 5... MORE

Personnel interested in participating in the Phase III AstraZeneca trials at selected DOD locations should visit www.CoronavirusPreventionNetwork.org, click on “Volunteer Now,” and complete the survey using the appropriate DOD Site Code.

BAMC commanding general visits 59th MDW for immersion tour
November 24, 2020 — U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Shan K. Bagby, Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general, visited 59th Medical Wing facilities at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Nov. 23. ... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John J. DeGoes, 59th Medical Wing commander, speaks with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Shan K. Bagby, Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general, about medical simulation training, Nov. 23, 2020, in the 59th Medical Wing Medical Simulation Center, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

DOD medical personnel working alongside El Paso civilian healthcare workers
November 24, 2020 — Local Air Force and Army medical personnel are in El Paso, Texas, working alongside civilian healthcare personnel in support of the whole-of-America COVID-19 response... MORE

Active shooter training benefits from JBSA, AETC collaboration
November 21, 2020 — In collaboration with the Air Education and Training Command, members from the 502nd Air Base Wing are transforming active shooter training at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas... MORE

Active shooter training exercise at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is conducted to educate the unit’s personnel how to better defend themselves against an active shooter.

Laparoscopy is new standard in METC surgical tech training
November 20, 2020 — Army, Navy and Air Force surgical technologist students at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are becoming more familiar with laparoscopic procedures thanks to a curriculum update and new laparoscopic equipment that was added to the surgical training simulators... MORE

(Front, left to right) Petty Officer 1st Class Wesley Middleton and Petty Officer 2nd Class Domenick Llanda, instructors in the Medical Education and Training Campus Surgical Technologist program, conduct a mock laparoscopic procedure while Petty Officer 1st Class Forest Stewart (center), also an instructor, assists the team. Army, Navy and Air Force ST students are becoming familiar with laparoscopic and laparotomy procedures, which are more universally practiced in the surgical field, after a new curriculum update to move the training forward.

Disc golf growing sport among JBSA members
November 20, 2020 — Whether it’s for exercise, relaxation, or spending time outdoors, several Joint Base San Antonio members are discovering the benefits of playing disc golf... MORE

Kenneth Boyce, (left), Joint Base San Antonio's Randolph Oaks Golf Course manager, throws a disc during a disc golf tournament held at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Golf Course Oct. 23. Awaiting his turn is Fernando Brown, (right), 502nd Force Support Squadron assistant flight chief, community services.

MEDCoE, METC earn Wolf Pack award
November 19, 2020 — The Medical Education and Training Campus Combat Medic Specialist Training Program, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Video Team, and the MEDCoE Learning Systems Branch received the third quarter fiscal year 2020 Army Medicine Wolf Pack Award at an award ceremony held Nov. 9 at the Blesse Auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Maj. Johnny Paul (right), Combat Medic Specialist Training Program Department chair, accepts the Army Medicine Wolf Pack Award from Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command.

MICC to combine small business efforts in 2021 national virtual outreach
November 19, 2020 — Successes realized following the 2020 transition of small business outreach to a virtual platform due to coronavirus have led Mission and Installation Contracting Command officials to shift its approach to a single, command-wide online effort taking place March 22-26, 2021... MORE

Small business officials from the Mission and Installation Contracting Command announced plans to conduct command-wide advance planning briefings to industry virtually March 22-26, 2021, to allow small and large industry representatives a chance to learn about contract opportunities in support of Army installations across the country.

SAMHS accepting volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine trial
November 18, 2020 — A kick-off event to commemorate the San Antonio Military Health System beginning Phase 3 of the AstraZeneca vaccine trial as part of Operation Warp Speed was held Nov. 18 at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

U.S. Army South, Chilean Army open virtual staff talks
November 18, 2020 — U.S. Army South, as the Army’s Executive Agent, opened bilateral staff talks with Chilean Army leaders Nov. 16 to strengthen professional partnerships and increase interaction between the two partners. The three-day event provides both armies with a forum to discuss bilateral training opportunities over the next two to three years... MORE

Col. Andrew Rendon, U.S. Army South, and Col. Jorge Salinas, Chilean Army Liaison Officer, listens to opening remarks at the beginning of the U.S.-Chilean Army Staff Talks.

BAMC doctors provide tips for safe holiday season
November 16, 2020 — Celebrating the holidays during a pandemic may bring additional challenges for people this year. With this in mind, Brooke Army Medical Center infectious disease experts recently offered some tips to help keep families safe whether they are traveling or entertaining at home... MORE

Celebrating the holidays during a pandemic may bring additional challenges for people this year. With this in mind, Brooke Army Medical Center infectious disease experts recently offered some tips to help keep families safe whether they are traveling or entertaining at home.

BAMC receives national recognition for surgical quality
November 16, 2020 — The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized Brooke Army Medical Center for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care for two years running, ranking the hospital among the top 10 percent of participating hospitals for surgical care... MORE

Surgeons perform a procedure at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio welcomes new commander
November 13, 2020 — Cmdr. Michael Files assumed the role of commanding officer of Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio during a change of command ceremony at the Warrior & Family Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 12... MORE

Cmdr. Nicholas Gamiz (center) hands over command of Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio to Cmdr. Michael Files (right) during a change of command ceremony held at the Warrior & Family Support Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 12. Presiding over the ceremony was Capt. Anthony Bayungan, (left), commodore, Region West, Navy Recruiting Command.

ARSOUTH crew with JTF-Bravo rescues Hurricane Eta victims
November 11, 2020 — A U.S. Army South Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter crew assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo in Honduras rescued victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters Nov. 6 following the effects of Hurricane Eta... MORE

A U.S. HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 1-228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo rescued victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters following the effects of Hurricane Eta in Honduras, Nov. 5, 2020.

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.