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JBSA ushers in holiday season with tree-lighting ceremonies
November 18, 2016 — Active-duty members and their families, retirees and Department of Defense civilians will be able to get into the Christmas spirit next week with tree-lighting ceremonies and activities to be held at... MORE

Along with Santa Claus, the highlight of the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph tree lighting ceremony was the beautiful 36-foot tree located in Randolph’s Washington Circle. The tree lighting event was held at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 with music provided by the Randolph High School Band and the Randolph Elementary School Choir. Photos with Santa were taken afterwards in the Taj, Bldg. 100.

Deadlines near for timely delivery of holiday packages
November 18, 2016 — The holiday rush at U.S. Postal Service locations is near at hand, so it’s advisable for the families of active-duty members who are serving abroad to mail cards, letters and packages to their loved... MORE

Kenneth Collins (left), United States Postal Services sales and services associate, receives a package from Joe Beach, 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs graphic artist, Nov. 15 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Post Office. The holiday rush at U.S. Postal Service locations is near at hand, so it’s advisable for the families of active-duty members who are serving abroad to mail cards, letters and packages to their loved ones as soon as possible.

Training ISR warriors faster, smarter through mobile apps
November 17, 2016 — Of the 12,000 intelligence professionals assigned to 25th Air Force, 70 percent have less than five years of military service. Most of those Airmen are millennials; multi-taskers who thrive on high-tech, mobile and innovative training methods. The educators of the 25th Air Force, Air Force Cryptologic Office (AFCO), in partnership with Air Education and Training Command, have discovered these newest intelligence warfighters require 24-hour-a-day access to fast-paced, highly-agile training solutions... MORE

In response to frequent deployments, strains on the resources of both time and personnel, and the availability of sophisticated technological capabilities, the Air Force is increasingly looking to mobile learning. (U.S. Air Force Photo/William B. Belcher)

Airman reflects on cancer battle, gives back with ‘passion project’
November 17, 2016 — At 28 years old, Staff Sgt. Nathan Combs never imagined he would be in a hospital room at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s Wilford Hall receiving chemotherapy. But in December 2005, that’s exactly... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Combs, 902nd Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of resource protection, won his fight with cancer after being diagnosed with stage II non-seminoma testicular cancer in 2005. As a result of his experience, Combs has become a regular blood donor and leads blood drives at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph about every 90 days.

SecDef ensures future military readiness during JBSA visit
November 17, 2016 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter traveled to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 16 during a trip focused on ensuring the readiness of the U.S. military and... MORE

Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks to U.S. Air Force basic military training trainees at the Pfingston Reception Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Nov. 16, 2016. Carter is on a four-day trip focusing on the readiness of the nation’s force and the effectiveness of the warfighter’s training and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean M. Worrell/Not Released)

NAMRU-San Antonio research provides platform for next generation antimicrobial wound dressing
November 15, 2016 — The Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, or NAMRU-SA, recently published data in the Journal of Nanomaterials demonstrating an electrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide, or CS/PEO, scaffold is a promising candidate for wound dressing applications due to excellent antibacterial characteristics and biocompatibility. ... MORE

Navy researchers who are focused on helping injured warfighters are now able to weave chemicals and proteins into a nanofibrous scaffold, or wound dressing, (shown above) that may speed up healing and reduce scarring. Research by the NAMRU-SA provides a platform for the development of what can best be described as an antimicrobial super bandage.

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research names new director of research
November 15, 2016 — “This institute has a reputation of conducting world-class combat casualty care research and I certainly want to continue that,” said Anthony E. Pusateri, Ph.D., the new director of research at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Anthony E. Pusateri, Ph.D., is the new U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research director of research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

U.S. Army North Soldiers train for natural disaster response in Oregon
November 15, 2016 — More than 60 individuals from various state, federal and government organizations worked together at the Oregon National Guard unit in Clackamas, Ore., from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 on how to respond to natural disasters... MORE

Soldiers assigned to Army North along with civilians working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and other Oregon state agencies take part in a mock press conference at the Oregon National Guard center in Clackamas, outside of Portland, Ore., Nov. 1. More than 60 people from U.S. Army North, FEMA, National Guard and state agencies converged at the center to conduct certification training.

Navy Recruiting District San Antonio honors World War II Navy pilot for 100th birthday
November 15, 2016 — World War II naval aviator retired Lt. Glen Shean was honored by Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio executive officer, during a Alamo Honor Flight Breakfast held at a restaurant in Boerne, Texas, Nov. 7... MORE

In celebration of his 100th birthday, Naval Aviator, Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds, executive officer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, presented a USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD-17) command ball cap to WWII Naval Aviator, Lt. Glen Shean during an Alamo Honor Flight Breakfast held at Denny’s, Nov. 7. Shean, a Boerne resident and native of Cordell, Okla., served in the Navy as a TBF Avenger pilot from May 7, 1942 thru Oct. 1, 1946 aboard the USS Card (CVE-11), a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier.

Local Army captain honors National Adoption Month
November 15, 2016 — Like most families, mornings start early at the McKinney household, but this November morning would be a little more special than most. The growing family of seven welcomed a new member, when the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, or MIB, signal officer Capt. Scott McKinney and his wife, Tammy, became the legal parents of 11-year-old James McKinney at the Family Court in Jourdanton, Texas, Nov. 4... MORE

Capt. Scott McKinney with the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, was joined by his wife and family to complete the adoption process of 11-year-old James McKinney at the Family Court in Jourdanton, Texas, Nov. 4.

Former USAISR commander receives 2016 Medical Excellence Award
November 15, 2016 — A former commander at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was presented with the 9th Annual Maj. Jonathan Letterman Medical Excellence Award Oct. 6 during an awards ceremony in Dickerson, Md. ... MORE

Staff members from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, or USAMRMC, attend the 9th Annual Maj. Jonathan Letterman Medical Excellence Award ceremony in Dickerson, Md., Oct. 6 where Dr. John B. Holcomb was presented the Individual Award. From left are Col. (Dr.) Shawn Nessen, USAISR commander; Col. (Dr.) Todd Rasmussen, USAMRMC deputy director of Combat Casualty Care Research; Dr. John Holcomb, director for the Center for Translational Injury Research at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston; and Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jennifer Gurney, trauma surgeon and Trauma System Development chief at the USAISR Joint Trauma System.

San Antonio youth, ISR Wingmen honor veterans together
November 14, 2016 — Veteran’s Day means many things to many people. For a select group of volunteers from 25th Air Force, and Joint Base San Antonio, this November 11 meant spending their day educating local students on the importance of honoring military members, past and present... MORE

Master Sgts. Carma McCall, 25th Air Force Inspector General's office, and Justin Seigrist, Air Education and Training Command, speak to students at Stevenson Middle School on Veteran's Day. Photo by: Lori A. Bultman

Airman medals in Lackland Classic, utilizes bod pod to track progress
November 14, 2016 — Through high school, the term “athlete” is always one Tech. Sgt. Jason Haden identified with. “Basketball, football, soccer – I played a lot of sports,” Haden, Air Education and Training Command NCO... MORE

Tech Sgt. Jason Haden, Air Education and Training Command NCO in charge of instructor and support assignments, finishes a set of dumbbell curls at the Rambler Fitness Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Oct. 24, 2016. Haden competed in the National Physique Committee’s Lackland Classic, a bodybuilding competition, in San Antonio Nov. 12.

59th TRG shapes future AF dental assistants
November 14, 2016 — MORE

Tech. Sgt. Christy Nixon, Instructor supervisor of the Air Force Dental Assistant Training program, gives students a glimpse of the restorative materials they will work with during training Oct. 20, 2016 at the Medical Education and Training Campus on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The dental assistant apprentice course is one of four courses taught at the 381st Training Squadron, a unit of the 59th Training Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Helping agencies offer suggestions to ease holiday blues
November 14, 2016 — The holiday season is a joyful time of the year, filled with family gatherings, office parties, festive decorations, gift giving and bountiful meals.However, many people are overwhelmed by the demands... MORE

The holiday season is a joyful time of the year, filled with family gatherings, office parties, festive decorations, gift giving and bountiful meals. However, many people are overwhelmed by the demands of the holiday season, while still others feel the pain of loneliness during a time of year defined by social interaction. Fortunately, members of the military community can rely on a variety of resources to help them cope with the stresses of the holidays, including the chaplain services and mental health professionals.

Alamo Wing honors young aviation enthusiast
November 10, 2016 — The Saturday of a Unit Training Assembly is usually fraught with work orders, computer based training or preparing for real-world missions at the 433rd Airlift Wing. On Nov. 5, 2016; however, members... MORE

Col. Gretchen Wiltse, right, 433rd Maintenance Group commander, administers a military oath to 5-year-old Mayra Salinas, while the child's mother, Ashley Salinas, observes, Nov. 5, 2016 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Salinas became an honorary member of the Rising 6, a private organization at the 433rd Airlift Wing comprised of Airmen in the grade of E-1 to E-6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño)

Empowered Airmen save patients’ time, Air Force money
November 10, 2016 — Three Airmen at the 59th Medical Wing Family Health Clinic were tasked to come up with a PICO question to improve patient care. Their innovative idea has evolved into a process estimated to save the 59th Medical Wing $61,000 annually... MORE

Airman 1st Class JaCoy Erickson, a medical technician with the 59th Medical Wing, checks a patients vitals at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Family Health Clinic on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Nov. 10, 2016. Erickson and two of his colleagues recently developed a standardization protocol that will increase patient safety and is estimated to save the wing $61,000 annually. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis)

JBSA members selected for Air Force civilian leadership program
November 10, 2016 — A language instructor and a research psychologist who work at Joint Base San Antonio are both hoping an opportunity to participate in an Air Force civilian educational development program will help... MORE

James Johnson, Air Force Personnel Center personnel research psychologist, poses for a portrait at his desk on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Nov. 9, 2016. Johnson was selected to attend the civilian acculturation leadership training program, the goal is to introduce Air Force civilians to Air Force culture and prepare them for future leadership, managerial and supervisory roles.

CDC gives tips to keep kids safe during National Child Safety Month
November 10, 2016 — November is National Child Safety Month and Joint Base San Antonio child caregivers have some tips to help parents keep kids safe year round. According to the Centers for Disease Control and... MORE

November is National Child Safety Month and Joint Base San Antonio child caregivers have some tips to help parents keep kids safe year round. For more information on these and other programs available to parents, contact the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center at 221-2705, JBSA-Lackland at 671-3722 or JBSA-Randolph at 652-5321.

Readiness NCO helps Air Force families cope with deployment process
November 10, 2016 — A master sergeant who once set his sights on being a first sergeant is now exerting a shirt-like influence on Airmen and their families in a different position.Master Sgt. Joe Ugarte, Joint Base San... MORE

Master Sgt. Joe Ugarte, 802nd Force Support Squadron Military Family Readiness Center Readiness NCO, speaks to students during Operation Flags at Randolph Elementary School May 18, 2016 at Joint Base San Antonio. About 300 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from Randolph Elementary School accomplished a special "mission" called Operation FLAGS where they experienced what it's like for their active-duty parents to leave for a deployment.