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Technology, expertise help determine COVID-19 vaccine distribution
November 12, 2020 — Ten military officers assigned to Operation Warp Speed are embedded at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist the allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine... MORE

An Operation Warp Speed contingent in Atlanta is working with regional coordinators on the distribution efforts for the COVID-19 vaccine.

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.

59th MDW COVID-19 drive-thru closures for November holidays
November 5, 2020 — The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland COVID-19 drive-thru site, located on the ground floor (basement level) of the parking garage of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center -- found by following the blue cones on Wilford Hall Loop -- will be closed in observance of November holidays and family days... MORE

The San Antonio Military Health System is adjusting its COVID-19 drive-thru screening and testing hours of operation over Labor Day weekend.

Blue Rope of the Year extols rewards of MTI career
November 4, 2020 — When 20-year-old Holly Vaught walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office in the summer of 2003, she was by her own account, emotionally lost with $2 and a half tank of gas to her name. She admitted... MORE

Master Sgt. Holly Vaught is the 2020 Blue Rope of the Year.

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.

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.

In Operation Warp Speed effort, knowing where vaccines are is key to distribution strategy
October 29, 2020 — Right now, six vaccines for COVID-19 are in development as part of Operation Warp Speed, said the program's chief operating officer. Once one or more of those vaccines proves both effective and safe, their fast and efficient distribution will require knowing where every dose is at all times... MORE

Army Maj. (Dr.) Neel Shah, an anesthesiologist, gets assistance with putting on a powered, air-purifying respirator at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, Aug. 7, 2020.

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.

Halloween is looking a little different for 2020
October 23, 2020 — By all accounts, traditional Halloween customs are looking a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic... MORE

By all accounts, traditional Halloween customs are looking a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOD, HHS name partners to administer COVID-19 vaccines at long-term care facilities
October 21, 2020 — As part of the Operation Warp Speed effort — a partnership between the Defense Department and the Department of Health and Human Services — long-term care facilities across the U.S. will be able to sign up to have one of two major U.S. pharmacy companies come to their facilities and administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents at no charge... MORE

A medical technician prepares a vaccine at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., April 11, 2019.

Army South Soldier remains dedicated to coaching during pandemic
October 20, 2020 — About 15 children maintained social distancing as they circled around their football coaches to receive instructions on their next drill. Conducted from Oct. 5-9, this was the first sports camp held on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston since the novel coronavirus pandemic began earlier this year... MORE

METC Combat Medic Program lauded for exceptional teamwork
October 19, 2020 — The Medical Education and Training Campus Combat Medical Specialist Training Program, or CMSTP, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has been recognized for exceptional teamwork by an integrated group of military and civilian team members focused on excellence in support of Army Medicine... MORE

Students in the Combat Medic Specialist Training Program, or CMSTP, assess a simulated casualty during a field training exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

Activation ceremony heralds new chapter in trainer aircraft maintenance story
October 16, 2020 — A trainer aircraft maintenance training center that will serve the needs of Air Education and Training Command for decades to come will be activated during a ceremony at 10:15 a.m., Oct. 29, in Hangar 62 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph... MORE

Ruben Pesina,12th Maintenance Group, repairs a panel from a T-38C Talon aircraft during a phase inspection at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. A trainer aircraft maintenance training center in Hangar 62 at JBSA-Randolph will soon be producing a new generation of trainer aircraft technicians to serve Air Education and Training Command.

Maintaining positive social media interactions important during COVID-19
October 16, 2020 — As the pandemic stretches into eight months and counting, more and more people are turning to social media as a substitute for risky in-person interactions. Facebook and other social media platforms have reported record use, compared to a year ago... MORE

Although a great communication tool with friends and family, service members need to be mindful of the pitfalls of social media.

Hurricane Hunters fly Delta missions from Joint Base San Antonio
October 15, 2020 — As Hurricane Delta made its way into the Gulf of Mexico Oct. 7 and headed for the Louisiana coastline, Joint Base San Antonio personnel jumped into action to support the evacuation of aircraft and personnel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi... MORE

Staff Sgt. Tyler, 502nd Operations Support Squadron airfield management, looks up information for C-130 air crews in support of hurricane evacuation operations during hurricane Delta Oct. 7, 2020, at Joint San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas.

JBSA retirement offices assist with gaining, maintaining benefits
October 15, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio Retirement Services and Retiree Activities Offices assist, inform and prepare military members and their families during their transition to retirement. The offices are also available after the big day to keep them up-to-date on their rights, benefits and privileges... MORE

Joe Silvas Jr., military retirement services officer, 802nd Force Support Squadron, meets with a client to discuss available services at the Retirement Services Office on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 15, 2020.

Naval Medical Forces Support Command celebrates Navy birthday virtually
October 15, 2020 — COVID-19 has led to cancellations of many of the time-honored ceremonies that military members enjoy. As a way to commemorate the Navy’s birthday, Naval Medical Forces Support Command, or NMFSC, used virtual means to honor the day... MORE

Operation Warp Speed makes swift progress
October 14, 2020 — Unprecedented progress has been made recently on Operation Warp Speed — the effort by the Defense Department, Health and Human Services, other federal agencies and private industry to develop a coronavirus vaccine, an HHS official said Oct. 9... MORE

Airman 1st Class Kokou Dekadjevi, 96th Medical Group, administers a COVID-19 test Aug. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Dekadjevi and the medical group’s diagnostic testing center employees administered more than 330 tests in a two-day span to 7th Special Forces Group Soldiers returning from a deployment.

Hatch Act limits political activities, even during telework
October 14, 2020 — The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939, limits certain political activities of federal employees, as well as some state, D.C., and local government employees who work in connection with federally funded programs, even during telework... MORE

The Hatch Act's purpose is to ensure federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion, to protect federal employees from political coercion in the workplace, and to ensure federal employees are advanced based on merit and not based on political affiliation.