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Trees to Troops delivers Christmas trees
December 8, 2017 — Many members of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland community braved the rain and the cold element, waiting outside JBSA-Lackland Outdoor Recreation Dec. 7, to receive a free tree from trees to Troops... MORE

Volunteers unload Christmas trees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland donated by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, FedEx and 18 tree farmers as part of the Trees for Troops program Dec. 7, 2017.

NORAD is ready to track Santa’s flight
December 8, 2017 — The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is celebrating the 62nd Anniversary of tracking Santa’s yuletide journey... MORE

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., tracks Santa’s 2017 yuletide journey.

Safeguarding against workplace violence
December 7, 2017 — The Department of Defense defines workplace violence as “any act of physical violence, threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, bullying, verbal or non-verbal threat, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at or outside the work site.”... MORE

Army Capt. John Arroyo and Army Capt. Katie Ann Blanchard are survivors of separate incidents of workplace violence. Both share their stories to encourage others who are dealing with adversity and the aftermath of violence.

AETC explores learning possibilities through new pilot training program
December 7, 2017 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Education and Training Command is looking to explore how people learn and making a more efficient path to pilots earning their wings by revolutionizing... MORE

Air Education and Training Command is looking to explore how people learn and making a more efficient path to pilots earning their wings by revolutionizing training through the Pilot Training Next initiative. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Chip Pons)

Guardsman fighter pilot instructor honored with ‘High Flyer’ award
December 7, 2017 — Lt. Col. Bryan Carlson, an F-16 Fighting Falcon instructor pilot for the 149th Fighter Wing here at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was recently honored for winning the 2017 Air Education and Training Command Carlson High Flyer Individual Award in the F-16 category... MORE

Lt. Col. Bryan Carlson, an F-16 Fighting Falcon instructor pilot assigned to the Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing, poses with his 2017 High Flyer of the Year award (for F-16 pilots) at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Kelly Field Annex, Texas, Nov. 30, 2017.

National Native American Heritage Month celebrates unity, service
December 7, 2017 — Brooke Army Medical Center celebrated Native American Heritage Month Nov. 29 with a ceremony in the Medical Mall... MORE

Erwin De Luna and his wife, Rose Mary, lead Brooke Army Medical Center staff in a traditional Native American dance Nov. 29 during the Native American Heritage Month ceremony in the Medical Mall.

Thanksgiving brings joy to Brooke Army Medical Center patients, staff
December 7, 2017 — Brooke Army Medical Center celebrated Thanksgiving and Warrior Care Month with activities for Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers, their families, staff, patients and the community... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson and Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough help serve Thanksgiving dinner to more than 1,000 guests Nov. 23 in the BAMC Dining Room at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Air Force releases chief master sergeant 17E9 promotion cycle statistics
December 7, 2017 — The Air Force has selected 472 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant out of 2,142 eligible for a selection rate of 22.04 percent in the 17E9 promotion cycle. The average... MORE

Congratulations to the 472 Airmen selected for chief master sergeant in the 17E9 promotion cycle! The list is available on myPers and the Air Force Portal and Airmen can access their score notices on the virtual Military Personnel Flight via the secure applications page. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons)

TRICARE payment types for calendar year 2018
December 6, 2017 — With the Jan. 1, 2018 changes to new stateside regions and contractors, you may need to update your payment option to guarantee continued payment of your TRICARE enrollment fees and monthly premiums... MORE

Starting Jan. 1, 2018, cost changes for TRICARE benefits transition from a fiscal year period to a calendar year period. Changing from fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) to calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) makes the TRICARE benefit consistent with civilian health plans. The change will largely affect those plans which have an enrollment fee and are currently billed by the fiscal year.

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps visits Burn Center to thank staff
December 5, 2017 — Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, visited the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 17 to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green (center) takes a group photo with staff members from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Progressive Care Unit.

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Soldiers earn prestigious German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge
December 5, 2017 — Eight Soldiers from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston earned the esteemed German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency after a three-day rigorous competition Nov. 3-5 in San Antonio... MORE

Eight U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Soldiers earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency during a three-day rigorous competition Nov. 3-5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis. Shown are (from left, back row) Spc. Chelsea Hornback (Gold), Spc. Sergio Rubio (Gold), Staff Sgt. Cedric Martin (Silver), Staff Sgt. Aaron Keller (Silver), Capt. Andrew Holt (Silver). In the front row, from left are Capt. Majorie Brooks (Gold), Lt. Col. (Dr.) John Decker (Gold) and Spc. Stacey Bernetskie (Bronze).

USAISR Burn Center appoints new director
December 5, 2017 — For the first time in six decades, the director of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is a federal government civilian employee. Dr. Leopoldo “Lee” Cancio, M.D., FACS, a retired Army colonel assigned to the USAISR Burn Center in 1995 until he retired in 2014, was appointed as director Nov. 17... MORE

Dr. Leopoldo “Lee” Cancio was appointed the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center director Nov. 17.

JBSA-Lackland Exchange Spreads Holiday Cheer to 3,800 Basic Military Training Recruits
December 5, 2017 — More than 3,800 trainees were treated to holiday cheer Dec. 2 at the Lackland Exchange, which opened extra early just for them. Typically, trainees are not allowed to visit the Exchange or do much beyond their rigorous assignments... MORE

Air Force basic trainees from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland wait to be admitted to the JBSA-Lackland Base Exchange Dec. 2 to do some early shopping. About 3,800 trainees were treated to holiday cheer Dec. 2 at the Lackland Exchange, which opened extra early just for them. Typically, trainees are not allowed to visit the Exchange or do much beyond their rigorous assignments.

Chief Wright to Airmen: Know your retirement options
December 5, 2017 — If I had to pick just one thing I’m most passionate about as the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, without a doubt it would be taking care of our Airmen and their families professionally, physically, spiritually and financially. I’m a firm believer that these four things go hand in hand... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright, the 18th person to hold this position, sits for his official portrait in the Pentagon, Feb. 10, 2017.

Military, local leaders meet for Joint Base San Antonio Community Partnership Program
December 4, 2017 — Updates on a variety of community initiatives, as well as a look at the future of automated vehicles in San Antonio, were on the agenda during the latest meeting of the Joint Base San Antonio Public/Public/Public/Private, or P4, Community Partnership Initiative meeting held at the Alamo Area Council of Governments Nov. 30... MORE

The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday
December 4, 2017 — Blood donations often decline during the holidays when busy schedules, holiday travel and seasonal illnesses can make it more difficult for donors to make and keep blood donation appointment. But the need for blood doesn't get a break for the holiday season... MORE

Donors with all blood types are needed during the next few weeks before the start of Holiday Block Leave, or HBL, to help ensure the Brooke Army Medical Center and Audie Murphy VA hospitals have critically needed blood and blood products.

Crew that overcame engine failure earn AETC safety award nomination
December 4, 2017 — What could have been a sortie with disastrous consequences was averted the morning of June 29 by a weapons systems officer and student pilot from the 435th Fighter Training Squadron who were practicing bombing deliveries at a range south of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph... MORE

Capt. Joshua Smith, 435th Fighter Training Squadron flight commander and instructor pilot, stands by the tail of a T-38C Talon Sept. 20, 2017, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Smith Relied on his training to overcome the failure of one his T-38's engines and guided the aircraft to an airfield for a safe landing. (courtesy photo)

‘We own the night’: Working together to improve training
December 4, 2017 — The Army has many axioms, but one that equates to triumph on the battlefield is “we own the night,” which is uttered by Department of Defense service members at home and abroad. The phrase derives from the overwhelming advantage provided by the United States military’s night vision capabilities... MORE

A service member wearing night vision goggles reloads an M4 carbine rifle during night-fire training at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

Front & Center: Master-at-Arms Sailor excels in recruiting America’s best
December 4, 2017 — Anyone who knows Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Thomas, a recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, knows he is not afraid to talk to people, unless he has to talk about himself. This humility has served him well in both his military and civilian careers... MORE

Petty Officer First Class Christopher Thomas, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio recruiter, poses for a portrait Oct. 25, 2017. Thomas’ mission is to find officer applicants to lead naval forces in conducting operations on land, air and sea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean M. Worrell)

AF Band of the West, Army's 323rd Army Band pair up for "Holiday in Red, White and Blue'
December 4, 2017 — The U.S. Air Force Band of the West and the 323rd Army Band "Fort Sam's Own" team up for a "Holiday in Red, White and Blue" Dec. 9 and 10... MORE

A "Holiday in Red, White and Blue" is planned for 3 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the Edgewood Performing Arts Center.