Joint Base San Antonio > News

A legacy of service: Finding direction in uniform
May 22, 2025 — When Chief Master Sgt. William Kelly stood as the reviewing official and guest speaker at his daughter’s Basic Military Training graduation, the moment represented more than just a proud father watching his child follow in his footsteps. It marked the continuation of a legacy where military service provided direction and purpose for two generations searching for their path... MORE

341st Training Squadron commander joins elite ranks of FBI National Academy graduates
March 3, 2025 — Lt. Col. Jordan Criss, the 341st Training Squadron commander at Joint base San Antonio-Lackland, has graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 292nd session, a globally recognized program for law enforcement leaders... MORE

Air Force Lt. Col. stands with a yellow brick in front of the Military Working Dogs shield.

Mother of fallen Defender ‘marches on’ honoring son
October 28, 2024 — In the sweltering summer heat on Aug. 15, 31 Defenders trekked up the rigorous route for their graduation ruck. Sixty-five-year-old Jiffy Helton-Sarver marches near the front, carrying a guidon commemorating her fallen son, Security Forces Officer 1st Lt. Joseph Helton... MORE

A group of security forces members ruck along roadside

Former Defender, Chopped Military Salute winner returns to JBSA-Lackland, offers advice to fellow Defenders
June 26, 2023 — Two decades after attending Security Forces technical training here, Master Sgt. Opal Poullard, 345th Training Squadron, returned to the 37th Training Wing – to where it all started in 2003. The Security Forces beret she once wore has been replaced by a toque... MORE

Master Sgt. Opal Poullard, 345th Training Squadron, smiles as Chef Robert Irvine, celebrity chef and television host, introduces her at a cooking demonstration, at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, June 15, 2023. Poullard, who’s an Advanced Culinary Instructor for the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, was on base to support healthy living events through the Robert Irvine Foundation’s Breaking Bread with Heroes Program. Poullard, spent 14 years as a Defender before she retrained into a special duty career field and became an Enlisted Aide. Poullard was the winner of the Military Salute Edition of the Food Network show, Chopped. (U.S. Air Force photo by Greg Walker)

Fallen Security Forces Airmen honored at 12th Annual Defender Ruck
November 12, 2019 — More than 1,100 Security Forces Airmen gathered for the 12th Annual Defender Ruck, hosted by the 343rd Training Squadron, in honor of all 186 Defender Airmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom, Nov. 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis... MORE

Security Forces Airmen celebrate crossing the finish line after a 4-mile ruck. Over 1,100 Security Forces Airmen gathered for the 12th Annual Defender Ruck, hosted by the 343rd Training Squadron, in honor of all 186 Defender Airmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom, Nov. 8, here.

Technology, AFWERX, helping SF Academy graduates become more lethal, ready
June 4, 2019 — Recognizing the pace of change is accelerating, the Security Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has taken full advantage of an opportunity to help field tomorrow’s Air Force faster and smarter by adding innovative technology into its apprentice course to help produce more lethal and ready Airmen... MORE

Airman 1st Class Valric Suyom, a recent graduate of the Security Forces apprentice course, participates in a use of force training scenario in the Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives, or MILO, simulator as Staff Sgt. James McKinney, 343rd Training Squadron instructor, guides the training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 29. The MILO system puts student in various interactive use of force training scenarios, including the potential application of deadly force, through the use of enhanced video screens.

Inter-American Air Force Academy accepts first U.S. student
December 13, 2018 — The Inter-American Air Force Academy has fostered positive international relationships with Latin American countries for quite some time, but their latest alliance is making history right in front of them at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

Airman 1st Class Cassandra Aguero, a member of the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, became the first student from the United States to enroll in the Ground Defense Leadership course at the Inter-American Air Force Academy.