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Operational truth and technological vision: DARPA, 59th Medical Wing shape the future of warfighter care 
January 7, 2026 — The 59th Medical Wing and the San Antonio Military Health System recently hosted the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Biological Technologies Office for a two-day strategic offsite at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, bringing together the Air Force’s oldest medical wing and one of the Department of War’s most innovative research organizations... MORE

Personnel from the 59th Medical Wing and civilian observers examine in-flight medical equipment aboard a military aircraft during a demonstration at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas, on Jan. 6, 2026.

DARPA’s FSHARP program manager visits NAMRU San Antonio, tours research laboratories
December 12, 2025 — Dr. Jeremy Pamplin, program manager, Biological Technologies Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, visited with leadership and research scientists assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio at the Battlefield Health & Trauma Research Institute at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston on Dec. 8... MORE

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON (Dec. 8, 2025) Research scientist Phylisia Dimas, assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, speaks with Dr. Jeremy Pamplin, program manager, Biological Technologies Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), on the Nikon Eclipse Ti2 confocal microscope utilized for the assessment of DARPA’s Fieldable Solutions for Hemorrhage with bio-Artificial Resuscitation Products (FSHARP) program’s novel synthetic blood product at the Battlefield Health & Trauma Research Institute. The FSHARP program works to develop a deployable, shelf-stable, universal whole blood substitute as a hemorrhage countermeasure to sustain injured warfighters in austere, pre-hospital settings. NAMRU San Antonio serves as the Independent Validation & Verification partner for the FSHARP program to perform laboratory testing for safety and efficacy. The confocal microscope can capture images of fixed and live tissue using magnifications from 4X to 60X at four different fluorescent filters. Other features include a controlled environmental chamber to perform live cell imaging, automation and software full of endless imaging and analysis tools. NAMRU San Antonio, part of Navy Medicine Research & Development, works alongside research partners in the civilian sphere, academia, industry, and other government agencies to drive support of the Department of War’s objectives for a lethal fighting force and ensures U.S. service members have access to the latest scientific advances. NAMRU San Antonio conducts gap-driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research in support of Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighter health readiness and lethality while engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer/Released)

NAMRU San Antonio, Performer Teams meet to discuss support of DARPA’s RBC Factory Program
September 26, 2025 — Representatives of DesiCorp, Inc., met with leadership and research scientists assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio at the Battlefield Health and Trauma Research Institute... MORE

59th MDW: Chief Scientist’s medical director selected as DARPA program manager
October 4, 2023 — Lt. Col. (Dr.) Adam Willis, formerly a medical director and clinician scientist of the 59th Medical Wing Chief Scientist’s Office, now serves as the program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the Biotechnologies Office. ... MORE

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Adam Willis, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program manager, poses for an official photo. As the DARPA program manager, Willis will focus on the challenges of casualty care within the near-pear environment, biomechanics of brain injury, neuroergonomics of operational tasks, and more. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Deputy Defense Secretary: DOD must field capabilities faster
September 1, 2022 — In the face of the pacing challenge from China and threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea and extremist groups, DOD must transition from experimentation and prototyping to fielding capabilities much more quickly, the deputy defense secretary said... MORE

Accelerating hypersonics development
May 9, 2017 — On May 3, 2017, Air Force senior leaders met to consider options to accelerate hypersonics research and development to break even more speed barriers and ensure continued technological superiority. Hypersonics refers to flying at five times the speed of sound, also known as “Mach 5,” or higher... MORE

Disbrow delivers State of the AF
March 3, 2017 — Acting Secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow addressed current and future issues, and talked about some of the occasions the Air Force has to look forward to in 2017 during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 3. ... MORE

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow gives her "State of the Air Force" keynote at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. She spoke about the need to invest in Airmen, technology, space and acquisition, and enlist the help of industry to reach this goal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)