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Ordnance disposal master craftsman sacrificed his safety to save lives
November 4, 2016 — In the sands of Iraq, where hostile explosive devices lurk inches under the surface, every step an explosive ordinance disposal master craftsman takes could be their last. In the fourth installment of... MORE

Medics tackle grueling 72 hours of trials to determine Army’s best
November 3, 2016 — The 72-hour Best Medic Competition at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis has been held annually in one form or another since the 1980s. The competition tests Army medics from across the country with various tasks that require feats of physical and emotional strength and call upon their critical thinking skills. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Noah Mitchell (right) helps Sgt. Derick Bosley (left) negotiate an obstacle Oct. 27 during the 2016 Army Best Medic Competition at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The two were named winners of the competition during an awards ceremony Friday. Bosley and Mitchell, both Army Rangers with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, represented U.S. Army Special Operations Command in the annual event.

Adversaries’ ever-changing tactics require quick responses
November 2, 2016 — In a continuing effort to expand their repertoire of killing methods, U.S. adversaries have added explosives-laden drones to their weapons arsenal, according to recent stories in the news. In October,... MORE

In a collaborative effort, 15th IS Airmen, along with their counterparts across the country utilize intelligence to create a targeting analysis product to address the new tactics being used against coalition forces. Graphic Illustration/ Lori Bultman, Vince Childress

New course enhances warrior paramedics’ prehospital, tactical skills
November 2, 2016 — “Get cover! Return fire! Post security.” Most paramedics never need to be familiar with this terminology. For military medics, however, the lingo is part of a life that transcends the typical role of their civilian counterparts... MORE

Staff Sgt. Cassandra Bayerl, student and paramedic with the 59th Medical Wing, prepares an epinephrine shot for a simulated patient during the Paramedic Recertification Course on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 19, 2016. Students underwent five days of didactic and two days of field training exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis)

New course enhances warrior paramedics’ prehospital, tactical skills
November 2, 2016 — “Get cover! Return fire! Post security.” Most paramedics never need to be familiar with this terminology. For military medics, however, the lingo is part of a life that transcends the typical role of their civilian counterparts... MORE

Army, family values are building blocks to hard work and sacks
November 2, 2016 — Alex Brown, a 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound defensive end for the Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson High School Jaguars in San Antonio, may be the defensive newcomer of the year. He is the Jaguars’ top sack leader with seven sacks and the second leading tackler at 30 total tackles... MORE

Alex Brown (left), a 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound defensive end for the Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson High School Jaguars in San Antonio, chases down O’Connor High School Panthers quarterback Roel Sanchez Sept. 17 on his way to a quarterback sack. Alex attributes the sacrifices of his parents and having the support of his teammates support as motivation for him to succeed on and off the field.

Women face unique challenges when getting a prosthesis
November 2, 2016 — Women face unique challenges when getting a prosthesis. Like many women, when she’s in her civilian clothes, Army Spc. Cherdale Allen likes to dress up in her high-heeled shoes. “My heels are like 4 inches and up,” said Allen with a laugh. “I like to feel beautiful.” ... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Cherdale Allen, a patient going through rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, lost part of her left leg below the knee to cancer. She is overcoming the challenges and adjusting to getting back into her ‘heels’ using a prosthesis still in the test socket phase. This prosthesis is one of three Allen uses for walking, running and stepping out in style. (U.S. Army photo by Robert A. Whetstone/Released)

FSHISD rolls out new anonymous alerts tool
November 2, 2016 — The Fort Sam Houston Independent School District has introduced a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts®. The Anonymous Alerts bullying and safety app reporting system helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up... MORE

Triple-company change of responsibility for U.S. Army South first sergeants
November 2, 2016 — The U.S. Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion held a triple-company, change of responsibility ceremony for its first sergeants in an outdoor event near its headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 20... MORE

U.S. Army South Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Williams speaks to troops during the Oct. 20 triple-company change of responsibility ceremony near the Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

U.S. Army Environmental Command, local school partner to help students learn to love math, science
November 2, 2016 — The U.S. Army Environmental Command, or USAEC, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston held an adoption celebration Sept. 29 in honor of their Adopt-a-School partnership at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School... MORE

Col. Timothy Greenhaw, commander of the U.S. Army Environmental Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, and Dr. Gail Siller, Fort Sam Houston Independent School District superintendent, sign the partnership agreement which renews the Adopt-a-School charter established in 2011.

JBSA caregivers provide care to children with special needs
October 31, 2016 — Knowledge, training, patience and understanding are guiding Joint Base San Antonio caregivers who are teaching and helping children with disabilities and special needs.Caregivers at child development... MORE

A child with special needs and disabilities has a group of JBSA medical professionals, therapists, child development specialists and representatives from the Exceptional Family Member Program who come up with a plan for caregivers to follow in helping the child develop. The team includes the parents of the child with special needs and/or disabilities and caregivers, both of whom provide input on the child’s developing needs.

JBSA encourages spouses to get connected through Heart Link
October 31, 2016 — Adjusting to military life can be a daunting and overwhelming process, especially for military spouses. Heart Link seeks to ease this transition by introducing and explaining many aspects of military... MORE

The objective of Heart Link is to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness. Understanding that spouses play an important role in re-enlistment decisions, which ultimately impact retention rates, a major program goal is to help spouses, especially those who have been with the Air Force five years or less, acclimate to the Air Force environment.

CPI event results in solutions to increase IFF simulator missions
October 28, 2016 — The 12th Operations Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is answering the call to meet the Air Force’s need for more fighter pilots.A Continuous Process Improvement team met Aug. 23 to brainstorm... MORE

First Lt. Austin Hornsby,435th Flying Training Squadron student pilot trains on a simulator, while Jose Colon, instructor looks on, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Oct. 20, 2016. The simulator accomplishes less complex missions, such as instrument and emergency procedures training, due to the limited visual representation compared with the simulators known as the operational flight trainer and the weapon systems trainer.

New program will help ISR aircrews cope with different kind of PTSD
October 28, 2016 — The nature of modern-day warfare has shifted the burden to the finders of targets, the intelligence and special operations personnel who identify the targets that need to be eliminated.The direct... MORE

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Airmen execute missions aboard special operations aircraft.

Operation Homecooking kick starts Oct. 31
October 27, 2016 — San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family... MORE

Lackland medics visit C-5M, school house
October 26, 2016 — Nine Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron toured the C-5M Super Galaxy and the Air Force Reserve C-5M School House at the 733rd Training Squadron Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland,... MORE

Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron climb into a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft Oct. 26, 2016 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. In addition to boarding the Air Force's largest aircraft, the Airman toured the formal training unit for all C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Benjamin Faske)

Lackland medics visit C-5M, school house
October 26, 2016 — Nine Airmen with the 59th Medical Support Squadron toured the C-5M Super Galaxy and the Air Force Reserve C-5M School House at the 733rd Training Squadron, Oct. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland,... MORE

REAL ID Act extension update
October 26, 2016 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The REAL ID Act was enacted to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance…of sources of... MORE

Individuals will no longer be able to access Air Force installations with a state-issued identification card or driver’s license from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa beginning Sept. 15.

Armed Services Blood Program saves lives at home, abroad
October 26, 2016 — “If your blood is red, then you should probably be donating blood.”At least that’s what Tracy Parmer, Armed Services Blood Program blood donor recruiter and public affairs specialist, believes.Parmer,... MORE

Jessica Carrillo (left), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Blood Donor Center phlebotomist, prepares to sanitize the arm of U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Alexander, Brooke Army Medical Center medical laboratory technician, before he gives blood at JBSA-Randolph Oct. 5, 2016. The blood donor center supplies the Brooke Army Medical Center, the deployment in Afghanistan, the Veteran's Administration and military hospitals across the country.

Cyber security is the responsibility of all Airmen
October 26, 2016 — October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and designed to remind people, including Team Pete, to always be vigilant in protecting against threats, such as malware, spyware, ransomware, viruses, worms and Trojan horses... MORE

(U.S. Air Force graphic by Philip Carter)