Joint Base San Antonio > News

Air Force secretary talks PTSD, mental health with medical leaders
June 30, 2022 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall met with Air Force Medical Service leaders to discuss the Department of the Air Force’s approach to prioritizing post-traumatic stress disorder care and support June 24... MORE

Air Force selects future aircrew helmet
June 28, 2022 — The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology, improve pilot longevity, and provide better fitment to diverse aircrews... MORE

Photo: LIFT Airborne Technologies next-generation helmet.

DAF strengthens discharge process for sexual offenders
June 27, 2022 — Under the previous policy, Airmen and Guardians who committed sexual assault offenses were subject to mandatory initiation of discharge proceedings; the updated policy strengthens the criteria that may be considered for discharge... MORE

Air Force operationalizes ACE concept, addresses today’s changing threat environment
June 27, 2022 — The Air Force announced its vision for operating in modern, contested environments June 23, created to codify and synchronize agile combat employment tactics enterprise-wide... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to offload fuel from a C-130J Super Hercules July 21, 2021, at Tinian International Airport, Tinian, during Pacific Iron 2021. Pacific Iron 2021 is a Pacific Air Forces dynamic force employment operation to project forces into United States Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility in support of a more lethal, adaptive, and resilient force.

Air Force announces new mustache policy, sister service and joint unit patch update
May 31, 2022 — The Air Force recently published a memorandum outlining updates to the Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel, which include mustache, sister service and joint unit patch wear guidance. The updates are effective immediately for Airmen... MORE

Gun safes excluded from household goods weight allowance
May 9, 2022 — As the number of accidental child injuries and deaths continue to rise, more and more incidents are attributed to unsecured, loaded guns. Defense leaders are confident this update will help improve overall gun safety in homes, while also helping to decrease service member suicides... MORE

First T-7A Red Hawk rolls out
April 29, 2022 — The first T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft rolled off the production line at the Boeing Defense, Space & Security building April 28 at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri. ... MORE

Air Force fields new rifle to Airmen
April 18, 2022 — The SDMR will replace legacy M24 Sniper Weapon Systems for security forces defenders performing base defense operations in-garrison and in contingency support... MORE

The Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle (SDMRs). Approximately 1,464 SDMRs have been purchased and will be distributed across the Force based on approved allowances.(U.S. Air Force photo/Shaun Ferguson)

Facing recruiting headwinds, Air Force offers thousands in new enlistment incentives
April 11, 2022 — The Air Force added more opportunities for future Airmen to receive bonuses upon entering active duty in fiscal year 2022... MORE

The Air Force added more opportunities for future Airmen to receive bonuses upon entering active duty in fiscal year 2022.

CSAF: Taking care of installations takes care of mission, Airmen
March 14, 2022 — The 2022 Association of Defense Communities’ National Defense Summit brought together senior Defense Department leaders, community leaders, and Congressional members to advance issues that build strong communities and support the military, including infrastructure, climate, housing, cost of living, education, spouse employment, child care and resiliency March 8... MORE

Edwin Oshiba, center, acting secretary of the Air Force for energy, installations, and environment, speaks during a panel discussion for the 2022 Association of Defense Communities National Summit in Arlington, Va., March 8, 2022. Oshiba spoke about the priorities and challenges for Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

USecAF highlights Air University’s mission of education, leader development
February 18, 2022 — Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones visited Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Feb. 15, to gain a deeper understanding on accessioning future leaders and educating the officer, enlisted and civilian force through the range of professional military education offered... MORE

While at Air University on Feb. 15, 2022, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Under Secretary of the Air Force was briefed on the officer accessioning programs at the Jean M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development.

Air Force announces officer performance report static closeout dates, beginning October 2022
February 17, 2022 — Transitioning from non-standardized annual and change of reporting official, OPR closeout policies to SCODs increases transparency by ensuring stable, steady, and reliable assessments from senior raters and rating chains... MORE

In developing solutions that best support the Air Force’s talent management strategy, transitioning from non-standardized annual and change of reporting official (CRO) OPR closeout policies to SCODs increases transparency by ensuring stable, steady, and reliable assessments from senior raters and rating chains. (Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs graphic)

AFCLC launches new introduction to China, Russia courses with certificates on Culture Guide app
January 3, 2022 — The Air Force Culture and Language Center recently added Introduction to China and Introduction to Russia culture courses and a video library to its newly updated, free Culture Guide mobile app... MORE

AFCLC’s Culture Guide app is available to all military service members and civilians through the App Store and Google Play, and it is safe for Department of Defense mobile devices. More than 20,000 individuals are already utilizing the app, and for those individuals, an update is now available.

AFCEC leads bed down efforts for B-21 Raider stealth bomber
November 24, 2021 — The B-21 will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit to perform both conventional and nuclear missions alongside the B-52 Stratofortress. As the Air Force transitions to a two-bomber fleet, the strategy to bed down the new bomber has been to minimize operational impacts, maximize the reuse of existing facilities and reduce overhead as much as possible. ... MORE

Shown is an artist rendering of a B-21 Raider in a hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., one of the future bases to host the new airframe. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is leading a $1 billion construction effort at Ellsworth AFB to deliver sustainable infrastructure to meet warfighter demands for bomber airpower.

Air Force releases alternate component fitness score charts
November 13, 2021 — After announcing the components in July, over 9,000 data points were collected to determine the point values for each component by assessing approximately 2,000 Airmen from 23 installations... MORE

Myths and facts about the vax — debunking common COVID-19 vaccine myths
September 23, 2021 — The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work... MORE

The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Air Force releases 2021 assessment of states’ support of military families
September 8, 2021 — The 2021 assessment of states' support of military families measured ease of licensure portability across state lines and support for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education surrounding installations... MORE

Third annual Spring Motorcycle Focus kicks off
March 16, 2021 — From novice to seasoned motorcycle rider, proper training can make a difference in the rider’s life and overall safety of others. Riding a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity; however, the risks can be mitigated with preparation and awareness... MORE

The Department of the Air Force is kicking off the third annual Spring PMV-2 Focus March 21, with the goal of reaching all military motorcycle riders. Efforts will concentrate on updating rider information in the Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool, including validation that training requirements are being met and ensuring all riders schedule and attend overdue training.

AFIMSC announces 2021 Innovation Rodeo finalists
January 13, 2021 — The AFIMSC leadership team and Ventures Innovation Office staff picked eight finalists out of more than 370 submissions to compete for a share of $1 million in funding and resources to pursue their ideas... MORE

All 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo teams pose for a group photo with AFIMSC Commander Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox and AFIMSC Command Chief Master Sgt. Edwin Ludvigsen Feb. 7, 2020.

Air Force restores leave charged during restriction of movement
December 9, 2020 — Effective Nov. 20, the Department of the Air Force announced the ability to restore leave charged to members during a required restriction of movement after Aug. 6... MORE

The Department of the Air Force is seeing its highest retention levels in 20 years, second only to rates recorded shortly after 9/11 in 2002.