Joint Base San Antonio > News

340th Flying Training Group welcomes new commander
March 10, 2020 — Col. Michael J. Vanzo assumed command of the 340th Flying Training Group from Col. Allen Duckworth during a March 6 ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, officiated by Col. Kurt Matthews, 22nd Air Force vice commander... MORE

BMT graduation hosts annual Women’s Parade
March 6, 2020 — In honor of International Women’s Day, Basic Military Training graduation hosted the annual Women’s Parade March 6... MORE

Basic Military Training establishes Tactical Combat Casualty Care course for all Airmen
February 28, 2020 — The U.S. Air Force will fully integrate Tactical Combat Casualty Care into Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 2... MORE

Air Force beta-tests adaptive learning platform in basic military training
January 13, 2020 — Air Education and Training Command’s emphasis on the use of technology to aggressively and cost-effectively modernize education and training took another step forward here with the issuance of personal tablets to two in-processing flights at Basic Military Training... MORE

U.S. Air Force basic military training trainees are issued personal computers during in-processing as part of a pilot test under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement partnership at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Dec. 11, 2019. The computers replace all hard copy textbooks BMT trainees currently use with the intent to help BMT assess learning outcomes, value and return on investment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarayuth Pinthong)

Band of sisters reunite, rekindle a 40-year bond
December 12, 2019 — Basic military training, or BMT, trainees are provided different skills that can help them throughout their military careers. Some skills come from materials found in textbooks. A few develop the ability to connect within a BMT flight. It was because of this connection that Susan Whaley and her band of sisters were able to reunite after 40 years... MORE

Group photo of flight 3707th Squadron, flight W09, 1979

37th TRW Command Chief: AIRMEN these days: Volume 1
December 10, 2019 — I’ve heard the comment, “Airmen these days” quite a bit over the years. It’s usually from a negative standpoint; how today’s Airmen are not as disciplined, dedicated, or mature as those from “back in my day…” To help others see the greatness in our Airmen who join and stay on our team (no matter what age) – I’m going to start a series which demonstrates it called “Airmen these days.” ... MORE

Airmen 1st Class Washington celebrates Basic Military Training graduation with Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier, 37th Training Wing command chief. Washington holds his 12-week-old daughter and kicks off his Air Force career.

340th FTG welcomes group's first airman basic, honors Air Force heroes
November 18, 2019 — A dozen-plus members of the 340th Flying Training Group traveled to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to celebrate the Nov. 8 basic military training graduation of the group's first "slick sleeve" member, Airman Basic Kevin Rios Rivera... MORE

Air Force on schedule with new uniform issue timeline
October 3, 2019 — Trainees entering into Basic Military Training, or BMT, at the 37th Training Wing this week are the first group to be issued the new Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, uniforms. After taking Airmen feedback into consideration, the uniform board members said they chose the OCP for the improved fit and comfort and so that they will blend in with their soldier counterparts’ uniforms in the joint environments, according to Cooper. ... MORE

Cecil Harvey, 502d Logistics Readiness Squadron lead supply technician, helps a U.S. Air Force basic military training trainee, 326th Training Squadron, during the initial issue of the first operational camouflage pattern (OCP) uniform, Oct. 2, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

BMT murals: inspiring the next generation
August 8, 2019 — Trainees with the 321st Training Squadron volunteered to paint a series of murals through the unit. The project started July 4, 2017, with the American flag painted across the hallway of several classrooms. It took about 2 ½ months and about 12 gallons of paint. ... MORE

Lt. Col. Jeurney Meekins, 321 st Training Squadron former commander, poses in front of a mural of the American flag July 17, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Webb gets first-hand look at BMT, international training during 37th Training Wing immersion
August 2, 2019 — The 37th Training Wing Warhawks hosted Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, for a two-day immersion at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 1-2... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb (right), commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, salute basic military trainees during the graduation parade Aug. 2, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

Air Force Basic Military Training continues to fine-tune program with major modernizations
June 6, 2019 — As part of the Basic Military Training curriculum revamp centered on readiness and lethality, airmanship, fitness and the warrior ethos, multiple changes to training are set to begin this summer. BMT is set to receive close to 9,000 M4 training rifles and after renovations to the combat arms range are completed, BMT will switch from the M16 weapons familiarization course to the M4 weapons qualification course... MORE

U.S. Air Force basic military training trainees practice assembling and disassembling their M-16 trainer weapon at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 2. Airmen must know how to fix malfunctions in order to continue the fight and protect their fellow Wingman. Basic military training is an eight-week course designed to challenge Airmen mentally and physically.

Initial clothing issue office dresses trainees as Airmen
May 10, 2019 — Scared, anxious and sleep deprived; between 300 and 400 trainees, many with freshly shaved heads from the barber located next door, pass through a brown brick building each week to receive their first sets of uniforms and clothing items they will need for life in the military... MORE

Trainees line up for initial clothing issue May 1, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Between 300 and 400 trainees receive their first sets of uniforms weekly from initial clothing issue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stormy Archer)

Protocol, practice, teamwork help save BMT trainee’s life
April 22, 2019 — The safety of the trainees at Basic Military Training is a top priority. When one trainee collapsed, the military training instructors immediately stepped up and ensure the safety and health of the distressed trainee... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Drumm, 324th Training Squadron, NCO in charge of PT and supply, poses for a photo.

JBSA-Lackland recognizes Women's History Month 2019 with a special BMT graduation parade
March 13, 2019 — Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland recognized Women’s History Month 2019 with a special Basic Military Training parade March 8, 2019. The parade featured an all-female military training instructor mass and Brig. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, 502d Air Base Wing and JBSA commander, as the reviewing official... MORE

37th Training Wing bivouac exercise builds readiness, camaraderie
March 7, 2019 — Personnel from the 37th Training Wing participated in a bivouac exercise Feb 12-13, at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST) site at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland-Medina Annex. The first of its kind 36-hour exercise focused on instilling the air expeditionary mindset, building individual and team confidence, and identifying training needs in an effort to promote Comprehensive Airman Fitness, improve readiness, and foster stronger relationships across the wing... MORE

Son carries on fallen father’s legacy
February 22, 2019 — At first glance, the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation Feb. 8 appeared no different than any other, but it was a unique occasion, as a new heritage flight honoring an Airman who made the ultimate sacrifice was unveiled... MORE

Basic Military Training puts focus on heritage
January 30, 2019 — Basic Military Training has implemented several heritage-based programs in an effort to better connect Airmen to the Air Force core values... MORE

Like daughter, like mother: recruiter helps family join U.S. Air Force
January 16, 2019 — When senior year of college became expensive and it was tough to keep up, a mother asked her daughter to consider joining the military as her father and others in his family had done. However, no one expected mother to sign up for service while gathering information for her daughter at the Air Force recruiting office in her Rhode Island hometown... MORE

Military Training Instructor Schoolhouse: training the trainer
December 28, 2018 — The distinct wide-brimmed blue campaign hat is easily recognizable and worn only by a specific group of Airmen: military training instructors. Known for professionalism, these specially selected and trained MTIs are tasked with mentoring, teaching and molding civilians arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for basic military training, or BMT... MORE

Air Force basic military training trainees listen closely to Military Training Instructor Master Sgt. Michael Hernandez, Reserve Citizen Airman with the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Attention to detail, discipline and teamwork learned at this stage enabled trainees to succeed and graduate during ceremonies held Dec. 14.

Former 37th TRW commander attends BMT graduation unlike any other
December 12, 2018 — As a former 37th Training Wing commander, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Andrew P. Iosue has seen countless Basic Military Training graduations. The graduation he attended Nov. 30, however, was like no other, as he witnessed his step-grandson, Michael Willett become Airman 1st Class Willett... MORE