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Fort Sam Houston Independent School District Annual Financial Report
January 23, 2017 — The annual financial report of the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District... MORE

Medical Education and Training Campus holds active shooter, lockdown drill
January 23, 2017 — The Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, current operations section, in conjunction with a security response team from the 502nd Air Base Wing, conducted an active shooter/lockdown drill in and around the vicinity of Smith Hall and Sebban Hall at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18... MORE

An armed intruder, played by William Torres, a training instructor with the 502nd Security Forces Squadron, gets inside an unlocked laboratory in Smith Hall on the Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18. METC worked with Torres and his security response team from the 502nd Air Base Wing to conduct an active shooter/lockdown drill.

Army South hosts State Partnership Program Conference
January 23, 2017 — Military leaders from 20 states descended upon Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18 in support of the Department of Defense joint security cooperation program, managed by the National Guard Bureau that matches the states/territories of National Guards within the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility of Central and South America and the Caribbean... MORE

Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, U.S. Army South commander opens up the State Partnership Program Conference at the Mission Training Complex at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18 with a discussion on security cooperation changes and challenges that state partners may face in 2017. More than 150 delegates from 20 states converged to exchange military skills and experience, share defense knowledge and further mutual security cooperation.

Purple Analog Exhibit Unveiled at 25th Air Force
January 23, 2017 — The Dr. Dennis F. Casey Heritage Center inside 25th Air Force Headquarters is a hidden gem filled with iconic twentieth century cipher mechanisms. The multiple award-winning exhibits feature the World War II German Enigma, American Sigaba and Cold War Soviet Fialka cryptographic machines. The newest addition to the collections is a World War II Purple Analog which was unveiled on Dec. 21. ... MORE

The newest addition to the collections at the Dr. Dennis F. Casey Heritage Center inside 25th Air Force Headquarters is a World War II Purple Analog which was unveiled on Dec. 21.

Stay safe while using lithium-ion batteries
January 23, 2017 — What do smart phones, laptops, scooters, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys and even cars have in common? The answer is they all have lithium ion batteries. Though they are a much needed source of a power supply, precautions are necessary. According to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, when using these batteries, be vigilant as they may cause a fire or explosion. ... MORE

The lithium-ion batteries in these items store a large amount of energy in small amount of space. Sometimes the batteries are not used the right way and batteries not designed for a specific use can be dangerous. Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective. They can overheat, catch fire or explode.

AETC’s 75th Anniversary and the birth of a professional Air Force
January 23, 2017 — On Jan. 23, 2017, Air Education and Training Command celebrates its 75th anniversary — a date much more important in our nation’s heritage than a simple mark in time. Jan. 23, 1942, proved to be the... MORE

In December 1942, Gen. Hap Arnold stood at Lackland’s Parade Grounds and looked out at 10 acres of Airmen – 100, 000 people arrayed in the grandest formation in Air Force history. He told the Airmen of new technologies, strategies and equipment. He told them they would win the war and help guide the future though their training and professionalism. (Courtesy Photo)

1,000th RPA student graduates
January 23, 2017 — Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, presented 2nd Lt. Kevin a certificate commemorating the thousandth graduate of the Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft training... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, 558th Flying Training Squadron Commander, presents a certificate to the thousandth Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training graduate, 2nd Lt. Kevin, during a graduation ceremony Jan 20th at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Chris Schweinberg and James Taylor, were both cadre members when the URT program grew to become a squadron in 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Randy Martin)

Process improvement expert to 59th MDW: ‘You’re leading the way’
January 21, 2017 — An internationally known expert in the field of clinical quality improvement was impressed with the 59th Medical Wing’s work toward becoming a high reliability organization during a Jan. 11 visit to the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center... MORE

Dr. Brent James, an internationally known expert in the field of clinical quality improvement, reviews a handout during a Jan. 11 briefing in the Gateway Academy at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. James learned about the 59th Medical Wing’s work toward continuous process improvement and becoming a high reliability organization. He is the executive director of the Institute for Health Care Delivery Research and vice president, Medical Research and Continuing Medical Education at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Wounded warriors open eyes of major leaguers
January 21, 2017 — Two major-league baseball players and a broadcaster visited with wounded troops as the 2017 Houston Astros Caravan stopped at the Warrior and Family Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18... MORE

Houston Astros pitcher Joe Musgrove shakes hands with a wounded Soldier while Astros outfielder Tony Kemp looks on during the 2017 Houston Astros Caravan visit to the Warrior and Family Support Center on Jan. 18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, Army North Public Affairs

502d Air Base Wing supports myriad JBSA services, missions
January 20, 2017 — For the people of the 502nd Air Base Wing, providing installation support services everyday across the Joint Base San Antonio enterprise, is just the job. What most people may not know is the scope of that job, with the wing supporting 266 mission partners at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph, JBSA-Camp Bullis and seven other operating locations throughout the greater San Antonio area. ... MORE

The 502nd Air Base Wing supports 266 mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph, JBSA-Camp Bullis and seven other operating locations throughout the greater San Antonio area. From comptroller support to civil engineering, legal, logistics readiness, public affairs, safety, security and almost everything in between, the 502nd ABW is helping sustain the readiness of JBSA mission partners to accomplish their missions.

470th Military Intelligence Brigade civilian donates racing items to troops
January 20, 2017 — What started off as hobby has been become a passion for Lee McKinney, a retired Navy master chief petty officer. McKinney, now a Department of the Army civilian at the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, began taking donations from the South Texas racing community and mailing the items in care packages to troops deployed worldwide... MORE

Lee McKinney, a civilian at the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade at Joint base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, personally packs and pays for shipping to send care packages with racing memorabilia to deployed service members worldwide.

JBSA-Lackland, Port San Antonio celebrate as Kelly Field turns 100
January 20, 2017 — A festive crowd of Airmen, civilians and public officials were on hand as the centennial celebration for Kelly Field officially kicked off at Port San Antonio headquarters Jan 18. Kelly Field,... MORE

(From left) U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Port San Antonio board member Chris Alderete, and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, are pictured at the Kelly Field 100th Anniversary Celebration at Port San Antonio Headquarters in San Antonio. Several current and former public officials were in attendance at the reception-style event to commemorate the establishment of one of the first military airfields in the world in 1916.

METC staff member honored as distinguished Toastmaster
January 20, 2017 — On Jan. 3, Lt. Col. Joy Schmalzle, an Army optometrist and the program director for the ophthalmic technician program at the Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, added Distinguished Toastmaster to her portfolio, joining less than one percent of the 345,000 Toastmaster members worldwide who share this prestigious title... MORE

Lt. Col. Joy Schmalzle, program director for the ophthalmic technician program at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, was the recipient of the Distinguished Toastmaster award Jan.3. Schmalzle joins less than one percent of the 345,000 Toastmaster members worldwide who share this prestigious title.

CPI event targets improvements in IFF academic course
January 19, 2017 — One of the 12th Flying Training Wing’s Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals academic classes is being streamlined so students at the 435th Fighter Training Squadron will have more time to devote to... MORE

Paul Olde, 12th Operations Support Squadron simulator and academics instructor, teaches a surface attack class at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Jan. 19, 2017. The 12th OSS is responsible for pilot instructor training and introduction to fighter fundamentals academic and simulator training, scheduling, air traffic control, airfield management, flight records, registrar, weather, airspace management, international training and aircrew flight equipment for all 12th Operations Group training.

Throwback paint scheme proves heritage is big in the 435th
January 19, 2017 — The 435th Fighter Training Squadron and the 12th Maintenance Group have blended a throwback paint scheme with a 40th anniversary reunion to celebrate a vital Air Force mission.When the 435th was... MORE

Rudy Olivarez, a Corrosion Control Specialist in the 12th Maintenance Group, applies paint to the landing gear of a T-38C Talon at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Jan. 13, 2017. Members of the corrosion control shop are changing the plane’s color scheme from two-tone gray to heritage blue, a scheme that was used by the 435th Fighter Training Squadron 40 years ago, ahead of a reunion of pilots that trained for fighter fundamentals after Jan. 1, 1977. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Martin)

Catfishing: Don’t get lured in
January 19, 2017 — Dating in today’s technologically savvy world seems to have become less personal. In many cases, finding someone to spend time with might be based on information obtained through dating websites, phone calls, texts, chats and instant messages. The big question amidst the barrage of electronic information - Is the person on the other end, someone you have never met, worthy of your time? Is the potential date being sincere and honest, or is disaster just one click away? ... MORE

A catfish is a person who pretends to be someone they're not, using social media to create a false identity with the intent of scamming someone, or worse.

Disability Evaluation System rolls out new email notification process
January 19, 2017 — A new email notification system rolls out this month for the Air Force’s Disability Evaluation System that will enhance customer service and increase overall transparency in the Physical Evaluation... MORE

The Air Force’s Disability Evaluation System is rolling out automated customer notifications for the progression of cases through the Physical Evaluation Board process. The aim is to enhance customer service and increase overall transparency. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

5th Recruiting Brigade takes part in U.S. Army All-American Bowl
January 19, 2017 — he San Antonio Recruiting Battalion, part of the U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade, invited 20 young men and women who decided to become future soldiers to take part in an opportunity to be sworn into the U.S. Army by Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow, commanding general of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. The enlistment ceremony took place during the pre-game show of the annual U.S. All-American Bowl game at the Alamodome Jan. 7. Two Army cadets were commissioned as officers as well. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Stoneburg, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s commanding general and command sergeant major, respectively, talk to local San Antonio recruits after their swearing-in ceremony during the pre-game activities at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio Jan. 7.

Nominations open for 62nd DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award
January 19, 2017 — Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 62nd Annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.This award is the highest presented to civilian employees whose careers... MORE

Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 62nd Annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by Feb. 24, 2017. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons)

JBSA Onward to Opportunity Program graduates 80
January 19, 2017 — A total of 80 transitioning service members celebrated their graduation from the Onward to Opportunity Program at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Jan. 17... MORE

The graduates of the Onward to Opportunity Program and others gather for a group photo at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Jan. 17.