Joint Base San Antonio > News

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.

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.

MEDCoE building more capable, cohesive team
October 29, 2020 — As part of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Leader Professional Development, Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, MEDCoE commanding general, hosted a session on the “Foundations of Leadership” Oct. 28... MORE

Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence commanding general, hosted a Leader Professional Development session on the Foundations of Leadership at the Blesse Auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 28. The event was attended by nearly 100 virtual and in-person attendees, using COVID-19 mitigation measures.

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.

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.

M&FRC classes can help keep Grinch in check during holiday shopping
October 9, 2020 — Four upcoming virtual classes presented by Joint Base San Antonio’s Military & Family Readiness Centers will provide shoppers with ample opportunities to learn how to budget their money wisely and avoid the holiday blues... MORE

Military families come together bringing with them many different traditions, styles of celebrating and methods of holiday shopping. A common thread for holiday planning is to begin saving early.

SAMHS COVID-19 operations for Columbus Day
October 7, 2020 — The Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center drive-through testing site will be the only site open on Columbus Day, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Brooke Army Medical Center and Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph COVID-19 Drive-thru sites will be closed Oct. 12. Normal hours of operation will resume thereafter... MORE

Air Force Recruiting makes goal for FY20
October 5, 2020 — Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Force Recruiting Service had a successful fiscal 2020 making adjusted recruitment goals and achieving new milestones for the year... MORE

Lt. Col. Annie Driscoll, AFRS Det. 1 commander, rings the ceremonial bell in honor of AFRS making recruiting goal for fiscal 2020.

MICC overcomes COVID-19 challenges to meet mission partner contract needs
October 2, 2020 — Following the largest federal workplace telework transition in history, members of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command continued executing contract actions through the final hours of the fiscal 2020 in the Army’s fight against COVID-19 while also meeting installation readiness requirements throughout the country... MORE

Jim Keetch leads a virtual advanced planning briefing to industry from his office earlier this summer at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Challenges posed by COVID-19 and subsequent transition to a remote work environment did not deter Mission and Installation Contracting Command personnel from meeting critical installation readiness contract needs. Keetch is director of contracting for MICC-Dugway Proving Ground.