Joint Base San Antonio > News

Local students receive coats from JBSA partners
December 3, 2020 — Students at Wilshire Elementary School, in San Antonio’s Northeast Independent School District, will be a little warmer this winter thanks to volunteers from the 502nd Force Support Group and the 106th Signal Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, who collected coats, socks and toys to give needy children... MORE

A student at Wilshire Elementary School, in San Antonio’s Northeast Independent School District, receives a coat and gifts from Lisa De La Rosa, a family specialist at the school, during a ceremony Nov. 30. The event was held virtually this year due to COVID-19.

AETC recognizes JBSA technician as Weather Civilian of the Year
December 3, 2020 — Joshua Darney, a meteorological technician at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, has won the Air Education and Training Command Weather Civilian of the Year Award. He competed against civilians at each AETC installation as well as the weather schoolhouse... MORE

Joshua Darney, 502nd Operations Support Squadron meteorological technician at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas, was selected as the Air Education and Training Command Weather Civilian of the Year.

JBSA medical facilities support Operation Warp Speed
November 25, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio’s Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, or WHASC, and Brooke Army Medical Center are supporting the Department of Defense on Operation Warp Speed, which seeks to pioneer vaccines for COVID-19. The vaccine trial began at JBSA Nov. 5... MORE

Personnel interested in participating in the Phase III AstraZeneca trials at selected DOD locations should visit www.CoronavirusPreventionNetwork.org, click on “Volunteer Now,” and complete the survey using the appropriate DOD Site Code.

AETC general talks pilot training at Alamo ACE
November 23, 2020 — In order to maintain readiness, the Air Force is utilizing innovation and technology to transform pilot training to be faster while also teaching skills that will make effective warfighters, according to the Air National Guard assistant to the commander at Air Education and Training Command who spoke during this year’s Alamo Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association virtual Alamo ACE conference Nov. 19... MORE

Maj. Gen. John Hronek, Air National Guard assistant to the commander at Air Education and Training Command, discussed initiatives and programs AETC is implementing to transform pilot training at the Alamo Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association virtual Alamo ACE conference Nov. 19, 2020.

'Tough Conversations' roundtable focuses on culture of respect
November 20, 2020 — Leaders from the 502nd Air Base Wing discussed building a "culture of respect" with base Airmen during a bi-weekly Tough Conversation roundtable Nov. 17 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Wendell Snider discusses building a culture of respect with base Airmen during their bi-weekly Tough Conversation roundtable Nov. 17 at JBSA-Lackland.

JBSA-Canyon Lake helps maintain military community resilience
November 20, 2020 — When Harry Gilbert was in high school, he was stomped by a bull. It broke many bones, harmed his head and neck, and left him with arthritis, making him ineligible to join the military. But that didn’t stop him from serving the military community. Gilbert is currently the general manager of Joint Base San Antonio-Canyon Lake. ... MORE

The JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities that allow for outdoor fun on a year-round basis. The recreation park consists of 250 acres of the most beautiful lakefront property in the area.

Disc golf growing sport among JBSA members
November 20, 2020 — Whether it’s for exercise, relaxation, or spending time outdoors, several Joint Base San Antonio members are discovering the benefits of playing disc golf... MORE

Kenneth Boyce, (left), Joint Base San Antonio's Randolph Oaks Golf Course manager, throws a disc during a disc golf tournament held at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Golf Course Oct. 23. Awaiting his turn is Fernando Brown, (right), 502nd Force Support Squadron assistant flight chief, community services.

DOD civilian encourages Airmen to share their innovative ideas
November 13, 2020 — Jason Rios is a material handler work lead for the 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron on Joint Base San Antonio. It is his job to provide protective equipment, such as bulletproof vests and chemical suits, to those who need them. Recently, upon hearing about the Air Force Spark Tank competition, he decided to enter with an idea he came up with several years ago... MORE

Jason Rios, 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron material handler, poses for a photo Jan. 17, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

JBSA partners with local governments to ensure citizen, pilot safety
November 10, 2020 — To ensure the safety of base aircrew and citizens residing near Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, a blanket Intergovernmental Support Agreement was utilized for the first time with the Alamo Area Council of Governments which incorporates a contract managed by Universal City, Texas. This historic partnership was publicly recognized at an event Nov. 10... MORE

Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, speaks during the Lindbergh Demolition Project partnership recognition event, Nov. 10, 2020, in Universal City, Texas.

New JBSA mission partner protocol advisor/liaison looks to unite mission
November 10, 2020 — Bernadette Gast, the new Joint Base San Antonio mission partner protocol advisor/liaison, hopes to be the missing link for a unified JBSA protocol mission... MORE

Bernadette Gast (in red), the new Joint Base San Antonio mission partner protocol liaison, Kellie Washburn (left standing), 502nd Air Base Wing chief of protocol, and Deborah Wilson, 502nd ABW protocol specialist, discuss new processes for tracking distinguishing visitors, visiting JBSA. Gast and Washburn will collectively support the JBSA protocol team, which includes mission partner units, and everything else protocol related. (Courtesy photo)

Developmental Special Duty assignment positions Airman for growth
November 5, 2020 — When Tech. Sgt. William Gabel was given a developmental special duty assignment, it was an opportunity for him to step away from his career in maintenance, broaden his leadership experiences and see the Air Force from a different perspective... MORE

Tech. Sgt. William Gabel is the flight chief of the 382nd Training Squadron, 59th Training Group. He arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in August 2017.

Nineteenth Air Force activates maintenance training center
October 30, 2020 — The Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center, located on the south end of Hangar 62 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, will start producing a new generation of trainer aircraft maintenance technicians for Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force when classes begin in the near future. ... MORE

Brian Bastow, Nineteenth Air Force logistics requirements branch chief, cuts a ribbon held by Chris Padeni, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance training superintendent (right), and Dean Jeavons, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance requirements section chief (left), during the Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center activation ceremony Oct. 29, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

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.

Legendary equestrian rider Russell passes away at 100
October 28, 2020 — Retired Col. John Russell, who was the oldest living Olympic medalist, respected international equestrian rider and coach, and World War II veteran, passed away at the age of 100 in his home in San Antonio Sept. 30... MORE

Retired Col. John Russell, who was the oldest living Olympic medalist, respected international equestrian rider and coach, and World War II veteran, passed away at the age of 100 in his home in San Antonio Sept. 30.

JBSA holds events, activities in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 16, 2020 — With displays of purple ribbons and buildings lit up in purple, Joint Base San Antonio is showing its support for survivors and victims of domestic abuse in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month... MORE

With displays of purple ribbons and buildings lit up in purple, Joint Base San Antonio is showing its support for survivors and victims of domestic abuse in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Taj Mahal at JBSA-Randolph and the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at JBSA-Lackland have been lit up in purple each night since Oct. 1 and will remain so until the end of October.

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.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Foreign affairs specialist provides diverse skill set
October 16, 2020 — After applying for a position with the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph late last year, Andy Smith received an automated email telling him he was not qualified for the job. Then, something surprising happened... MORE

Andy Smith, far left, applied for a position through Schedule A, a hiring authority which allows federal agencies to hire individuals with disabilities directly into the workforce. Smith, who is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy, now works as a foreign affairs specialist.at the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron.

Commentary: Cake with persistence
October 15, 2020 — Persistence keeps you moving. It is a drive within you that helps to steer you toward your goals. A lesson of persistence was given to me by my child after my husband baked a pumpkin candied pecan torte. ... MORE

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.