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433rd Maintenance Squadron welcomes new commander
August 11, 2020 — Capt. Nicholas Velazquez assumed command of the 433rd Maintenance Squadron during a virtual change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 8... MORE

Lt. Col. Stuart Martin (left), 433rd Maintenance Group commander, presents the guidon to Capt. Nicholas Velazquez, 433rd Maintenance Squadron commander, at an assumption of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 8. Prior to earning a commission, Velazquez was an enlisted master sergeant in the maintenance career field.

Donating plasma may be the key in the fight against COVID-19
August 10, 2020 — COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate against who it infects – even general officers are susceptible... MORE

COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate against who it infects – even general officers are susceptible.

BAMC offers ‘last line of defense’ against COVID-19
August 10, 2020 — Brooke Army Medical Center is expanding its use of a highly specialized treatment many consider the “last line of defense” for critically ill COVID-19 patients... MORE

Nurses tend to a patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, in a COVID-19 intensive care unit at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, July 17, 2020.

Army Reserve Medical Command supports COVID-19 federal response efforts
August 5, 2020 — U.S. Army Reserve Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 7454-1, from San Antonio, Texas, joined the Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency response to COVID-19. U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, is overseeing the military operation in support of federal efforts and the state... MORE

COVID stress: How you can help your furry friends cope
August 4, 2020 — The global coronavirus pandemic has caused many changes in households across the country, including major adjustments to routines for school, work, shopping, and even visits with friends and family. While people have the ability to express themselves verbally while coping with their new normal, pets cannot... MORE

Separation anxiety in pets can occur because of a pet’s anticipation of a negative outcome, which is being left alone or being denied access to the owner.

DLIELC pilots virtual training team program with Puerto Rico
August 4, 2020 — To continue partner nation support across combatant commands and execute the global security cooperation mission amidst a global pandemic, the Defense Language Institute English Language Center piloted a one-week virtual training team program with Puerto Rico July 2020... MORE

The Defense Language Institute English Language Center hosts a group discussion between instructors and cadets during a class conducted over Zoom July, 2020. This Virtual Training Team initiative is in its piloting stage and may prove to provide U.S. partners across the globe a viable hybrid distance learning option.

Knowledge, balancing resources vital to Army’s COVID-19 efforts
August 4, 2020 — Driven by a three-phase emergency response plan, the Army has contributed in every facet of the ongoing battle against COVID-19, Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle said July 29... MORE

Capt. Stacey Johnson, critical care nurse from Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force-627, provides positioning aids to a COVID-19 patient, July 10, 2020 at Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

DOD medical officials outline COVID-19 testing approach
July 31, 2020 — Though the rate of confirmed positive COVID-19 tests among those in uniform is lower than that of the nation's civilian population, the most junior service members have a slightly higher rate than that of their civilian counterparts, the medical advisor to the Defense Department's coronavirus task force said... MORE

A soldier with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade receives a test for COVID-19 at a mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas, July 9, 2020.

Multi-Base Virtual Tech Expo scheduled for Aug. 19
July 30, 2020 — In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Tech Expo was canceled for 2020. JBSA-Lackland will join several other installations for a joint virtual tech expo from 9 a.m. to noon Central time Aug. 19... MORE

JBSA-Lackland will join several other installations for a joint virtual tech expo from 9 a.m. to noon Central time Aug. 19.

Military OneSource, family readiness, spouse programs remain available
July 30, 2020 — The Defense Department's Military Community and Family Policy office is adapting how it executes its programs in an effort to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic... MORE

U.S. Army Reserve units join U.S. Army North COVID-19 operations in Texas
July 29, 2020 — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, three U.S. Army Reserve Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces deployed as part of the Department of Defense’s ongoing COVID-19 operations in Texas... MORE

Combat medical innovations carry over to COVID-19 care
July 28, 2020 — When the pandemic struck the United States, the combat joint trauma system, made up of a panel of physicians, quickly took form to gather data on COVID-positive patients in the Military Health System... MORE

Navy Lt. Cmdr. T. Blake Van Brunt collects a sample for a COVID-19 test aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort, May 1, 2020. All personnel aboard the ship were tested as the Comfort transited the Atlantic Ocean, returning to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, following its mission in New York City in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Service members support COVID-19 operations in California hospitals
July 28, 2020 — Air Force nurses deployed from Travis Air Force Base, California, to support Task Force 46, under the Joint Force Land Component Command, U.S. Army North, to assist with COVID-19 response efforts... MORE

Image of U.S. Air Force Capt. Ashley Ritchey instructing Staff Sgt. Ryan Sheldon of the California Army National Guard on proper application of medical personal protective gear.

SAMHS updates COVID-19 testing
July 28, 2020 — In order to sustain COVID-19 testing capability, San Antonio Military Health System will no longer test asymptomatic personnel at its drive-thru screening and testing sites. Testing for symptomatic active duty and military beneficiaries will continue to be conducted... MORE

Members of the 59th Medical Wing man a drive through COVID-19 screening clinic on Lackland Air Force Base, June 26, 2020. The drive through clinic was reestablished as part of the protective measures implented as Joint Base San Antonio returns to HPCON Charlie. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Zachary Bumpus)

Air Force updates medical courses with COVID-19 content, procedures
July 27, 2020 — Air Force medical instructors and trainers are improving curriculum and adapting procedures to account for COVID-19 operations. COVID-19 has shed new light on the methods of conducting medical training and education... MORE

Image of Staff Sgt. Lee Nembhard, an aeromedical evacuation technician assigned to the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

COVID Coach helps veterans, service members cope
July 27, 2020 — COVID Coach is a free, easy-to-use mobile application created for everyone, especially veterans and service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic... MORE

COVID Coach is a free, easy-to-use mobile application created for everyone, especially Veterans and service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic.

BAMC nurses: ‘It’s us against COVID’
July 27, 2020 — With the recent surge in COVID-19, the beds are quickly filling in the intensive care units at Brooke Army Medical Center, a sprawling military hospital and Level I Trauma Center in the heart of San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

April Pace, a registered nurse, enters a patient room in a COVID-19 intensive care unit at Brooke Army Medical Center July 17.

Curbside service helping JBSA vet clinics protect pets, staff, clients
July 24, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio’s veterinary clinics are taking a curbside service approach to pet care during the novel coronavirus pandemic, allowing only pets and clinic staff members into the facilities to reduce close contact... MORE

Army 10-miler goes nationwide for the first time
July 23, 2020 — The 36th edition of the world’s third-largest 10-mile road race, the Army Ten-Miler, will be held as a virtual event Sunday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 18... MORE

The 36th edition of the world’s third-largest 10-mile road race, the Army Ten-Miler will be held as a virtual event Sunday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020.

JBSA fitness centers keeping doors open to service members with safeguards in place
July 22, 2020 — Due to Health Protection Condition Charlie restrictions, fitness centers at Joint Base San Antonio installations are open to active duty, active Reserve and active Guard service members only at this time, with safeguards put into place to protect the health and safety of both customers and facility staff members during the coronavirus pandemic... MORE

Kimberly LaCour, 502nd Force Support Squadron recreation fitness specialist, cleans and sanitizes a stationary bike at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Warhawk Fitness Center.