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5th Recruiting Brigade hold virtual change of command ceremony
July 13, 2020 — The U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade conducted a virtual change of command ceremony at 10:30 a.m. July 10 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Col. Roman J. Cantu (left) relinquishes command of the 5th Recruiting Brigade to Col. La'Tonya N. Jordan (right) during a ceremony at the Military & Family Readiness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston July 10.

Commissaries worldwide selling reusable, disposable protective masks
July 10, 2020 — Commissaries worldwide are now selling reusable and disposable protective masks, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales announced... MORE

Commissaries worldwide are now selling reusable and disposable protective masks.

BAMC ‘agilely adapts’ to support community COVID-19 response
July 9, 2020 — Brooke Army Medical Center is continuing to aid the San Antonio community in the midst of a COVID-19 surge across the region... MORE

Army Spc. David Pyke, medical laboratory technician, loads a patient sample for rapid COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction testing at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston April 9.

Online tools ease COVID-19 turbulence at 12th Flying Training Wing
July 8, 2020 — For the last 20 to 30 years, staff members of the 12th Flying Training Wing’s 12th Operations Group have tackled flying operations traditionally. Then, in mid-March, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and changed everything... MORE

Maj, Marcus Mosher (left) and Maj. Nathan Moseley (right) participate in a video chat.

Water safety remains important during a pandemic
July 5, 2020 — Indeed, last summer was the last of its kind for the foreseeable future however, despite this new normal the risks associated with swimming and being around the water remain the same... MORE

Feedback Fridays
July 3, 2020 — If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available... MORE

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.

For some, working from home brings more pain than comfort
July 2, 2020 — “There’s no place like home” may be an appropriate sentiment for people who favor working from the comfort of home during the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, it doesn’t ring true for those teleworkers who are feeling more pain than comfort because their home office leaves much to be desired. ... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center welcomes new commanding general
July 1, 2020 — In the midst of a brief downpour, Army Brig. Gen. Wendy Harter, the first female commander in Brooke Army Medical Center’s history, turned over command to Army Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby, the first African American commander in BAMC’s history, during a June 26 change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center change of command

Battling COVID; a cyber Airman’s story
June 29, 2020 — Tech. Sgt. Brandon Ibanez, a cyber intelligence analyst with the 854th Combat Operations Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, doesn’t wear a helmet to work, nor does he wear a sword or shield. Ibanez’s role in his unit requires him to analyze intelligence and triangulate technical, geographical and operational information to provide situational awareness for leadership. This information enables his leaders to determine the best course of action in any given scenario... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Ibanez, a cyber intelligence analyst with the 854th Combat Operations Squadron, stands in uniform for a photo outside his home in Chicago, Illinois, June 15, 2020. As a Gladiator in the 960th Cyberspace Wing, it’s not a requirement to don the traditional uniform of ancient Roman fighters, and it would be impractical because the enemy in cyberspace doesn’t attack using guns or spears. (Courtesy photo by Anna Czekaj)

JBSA pools open, attendance limited due to coronavirus
June 26, 2020 — Swim season opened at Joint Base San Antonio June 24, but the later-than-usual start was not the only change at the installations’ pools this summer... MORE

Lifeguard Brandon Mercado looks out over an empty pool at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on June 25, the second day the JBSA pools were open for the summer.

JBSA to transition to HPCON Charlie
June 26, 2020 — To better posture Joint Base San Antonio and help reduce community spread of COVID-19, the JBSA commander is increasing the Health Protection Condition to Charlie, or HPCON C effective June 26... MORE

To better posture Joint Base San Antonio and help reduce community spread of COVID-19, the JBSA commander is increasing the Health Protection Condition to Charlie, or HPCON C effective June 26.

MEDCoE provides help to New York, New Jersey medical facilities in response to COVID-19
June 25, 2020 — During the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston provided resources, expertise and assistance to medical facilities in New York and New Jersey overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases... MORE

‘A Night in your Honor’ renders a virtual salute to future service members
June 23, 2020 — Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect many in Military City USA, it did not deter Our Community Salutes-San Antonio, or OCS-SA, from hosting its ninth annual “A Night in Your Honor” through virtual means June 17... MORE

Taking care of military medical frontline providers
June 22, 2020 — Air Force medics are on the front lines against COVID-19, and maintaining their mental well-being is critical to keeping them in the fight. One of the biggest risks for providers is burnout, or compassion fatigue... MORE

The COVID-19 pandemic can challenge the mental wellness of health workers and contribute to provider burnout. Air Force medics are cautioned to be alert for signs of numbness in themselves or colleagues, and make time for self-care and recharge.

Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio contributing to COVID-19 fight
June 18, 2020 — In early March, Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio, or NAMRU-SA, joined the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemic viruses by contributing knowledge from relevant studies and providing backup medical support at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio's chief science director Sylvain Cardin, Ph.D.

Operation Warp Speed accelerates COVID-19 vaccine development
June 17, 2020 — The national effort to accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, called "Operation Warp Speed," will hasten the delivery of that vaccine by conducting steps concurrently that normally would be conducted sequentially, senior administration officials said... MORE

A service member presses a hypodermic needle into a small glass vial.

DLIELC international students receive generosity, support during COVID-19
June 16, 2020 — When Dan Vega, American Members of International Goodwill to Others, or AMIGO, program manager sent out a notice to all AMIGO sponsors for help with providing masks for international students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, he received several generous responses to help... MORE

Master Sgt. Jeanett Vielman displays one of the handmade masks she donated for the students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Prioritizing sleep vital as Airmen adjust to new normal
June 12, 2020 — Continued lack of sleep can be detrimental to an Airman’s job performance, their ability to fight off infections, and their overall readiness and wellbeing... MORE

Sleep is a vital component to overall health and readiness. There are several things Airmen can do to improve their sleep habits, including setting an alarm for bed, avoiding screens that emit disruptive blue light, and avoiding caffeine several hours before bedtime.

EFMP support doesn’t skip a beat despite social distancing measures
June 12, 2020 — The novel coronavirus pandemic forced the modification of three Exceptional Family Member Program workshops at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph early this year, but the virus has not stopped the delivery of services from the Department of Defense program that supports military families with special medical and educational needs... MORE

Leader’s perspective: Team MICC efforts crucial to nation winning war against COVID-19
June 11, 2020 — Our nation’s war on the Coronavirus has been unprecedented, and I thank every Soldier and Army Civilian of our command for being dedicated to delivering ready, decisive and synchronized business solutions and contracting support to our mission partners in this difficult time around the world... MORE