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FEDVIP is coming: Get to know dental and vision plans today
October 24, 2018 — The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, or TRDP, ends Dec. 31, 2018. Beginning in 2019, dental and vision plans will be available through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP. Now is a good time to become familiar with FEDVIP options. FEDVIP 2019 plans and rates will be online in the fall. But you can look at 2018 plans and rates now... MORE

Eligible beneficiaries will have the opportunity to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) during Federal Benefit Open Season for coverage beginning in 2019.

Army Futures Command to become 'global command,' says its leader
October 24, 2018 — Austin, Texas was chosen for Army Futures Command's headquarters location after a review of the top 150 research institutes in the U.S., said Gen. John M. Murray, AFC's commanding general. It also ranked high in critical technology fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, systems developers and quality of life... MORE

Gen. John M. Murray, commander of U.S. Army Futures Command, speaks at the Army Futures Command activation ceremony in Austin, Texas, Aug. 24, 2018.

59th Dental Training Squadron hosts prosthodontics update course
October 24, 2018 — The 59th Dental Training Squadron prosthodontics flight hosted approximately 20 dental specialists, including five visiting dental specialists for the U.S. Air Force’s Prosthodontics update course Oct. 16... MORE

A dental specialist smooths a dental mold during the surgical portion of the prosthodontics update course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The seven-day curriculum provides advanced hands-on and didactic training for dental specialists.

JBSA Dermatology at the forefront of innovation in wounded warrior care
October 24, 2018 — The 59th Medical Wing is home to the Joint Base San Antonio Laser Surgery and Scar Center, one of the most sophisticated medical treatment centers of its kind in the nation... MORE

Members of the Joint Base San Antonio Laser Surgery and Scar Center team treat a burn scar patient with a carbon dioxide laser in Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Employees need to know, heed Hatch Act rules
October 23, 2018 — Department of Defense civilian employees must be aware of the law limiting political activities in the federal workplace, during duty hours, or on federal property at any time... MORE

The law restricting federal employees from engaging in certain political activities is in Title 5 of the United States Code, Sections 7321-7326, and Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 733 and 734, commonly referred to as the Hatch Act. It defines political activity as “an activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office or partisan political group.”

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center seeks I-WEPTAC topic inputs
October 23, 2018 — Organizers from the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center are offering Airmen an opportunity to help shape the future of combat support by submitting topics for the third annual Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference... MORE

Organizers from the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center are offering Airmen an opportunity to help shape the future of combat support by submitting topics for the third annual Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference. I-WEPTAC 2019 takes place April 1-10 in San Antonio.

Air Force extends high year of tenure for E-4s through E-6s
October 23, 2018 — The Air Force is extending the high year of tenure for senior airmen through technical sergeants beginning Feb. 1, 2019. The memo, signed Oct. 18, 2018, extends the high year of tenure from eight to 10 years for senior airmen, from 15 to 20 years for staff sergeants and from 20 to 22 years for technical sergeants... MORE

The Air Force is extending the high year of tenure for senior airmen through technical sergeants beginning Feb. 1, 2019.

Make fall safety a top priority: preventing workplace mishaps
October 23, 2018 — It may come as a surprise that the third-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death is falls. In 2015, nearly 33,381 people died in falls at home and at work; and for working adults, depending on the industry, falls can be the leading cause of death... MORE

Pilot instructor training "embraces change" through virtual reality
October 22, 2018 — Pilot Instructor Training Next is using virtual reality simulators and 360-degree video headsets integrated into the syllabi, helping enable overall Air Education and Training Command effort to leverage emerging technology across the training enterprise... MORE

Lt. Col. Derek McCafferty (left) and Maj. Erik Jones, 99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilots, prepare for a virtual flying training sortie Oct. 9, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The 99th FTS, along with the 560th FTS, have integrated virtual reality simulators into the pilot instructor training syllabus as part of an overall strategic effort to leverage emerging technology across the training enterprise.

Soaring Valor flight brings World War II veterans, high school students together for New Orleans trip
October 19, 2018 — They came from different services. They had different experiences serving their nation during World War II. They fought in different countries. But the 40 WWII veterans gathered at the San Antonio International Airport Oct. 17 had one thing in common: Patriotism … Honor ... Pride. ... MORE

A World War II veteran holds his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance at the conclusion of a sendoff ceremony at the San Antonio International Airport Oct. 17 which saw 40 WWII veterans take off for a trip to New Orleans to visit the National World War II Museum. The Soaring Valor program, sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation, helped send the veterans and 40 high school Student companions from Dallas, to the museum.

Feedback Fridays
October 19, 2018 — Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander's calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week. If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil using the subject line "Feedback Fridays." Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available... MORE

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community.

Fisher House hosts Appreciation Day luncheon
October 18, 2018 — When a member of a military family becomes ill, many of life’s everyday challenges get put on the back burner while treatment is sought... MORE

EMT Instructor course builds Air Force firefighters capabilities
October 18, 2018 — Air Force firefighters from several military installations across the United States will be certified as Emergency Medical Technician Instructors through an emergency management services course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 15-19... MORE

Lincoln Military Housing opens Bark Park for four-legged friends
October 18, 2018 — Lincoln Military Housing at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston now offers a place where four-legged friends can run and play. The Bark Park, located behind building 407, opened Oct. 2 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park... MORE

Lincoln Military Housing at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston now offers a place where four-legged friends can run and play. The Bark Park, located behind building 407, opened Oct. 2 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park.

October reminds us the importance of good oral health
October 18, 2018 — October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an effort to celebrate the work dental hygienists do and help raise awareness of the importance of good oral health... MORE

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and serves as a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene.

USAISR pilot program provides training on burn care to deploying servicemembers
October 18, 2018 — A pilot program at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is providing hands-on clinical training to deploying service members on the care and treatment of one of the most complex patient populations in the military – those with burn and traumatic injuries... MORE

Maj. Allison Ferro, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center chief of clinical education (left) and Patricia Colston, USAISR Burn Center nurse educator (right) prepare a patient mannequin used for training in the Clinical Pre-Deployment Training Pilot Program. The pilot program gives groups and teams of medical service members who are preparing for deployment the opportunity to train at the USAISR Burn Center, which is the sole facility within the Department of Defense that cares and treats burn patients who are active-duty and injured in combat, military dependents and non-military civilian emergencies.

Protect yourself, guard against mosquitos
October 18, 2018 — Due to the recent heavy rains, the amount of mosquitos has increased at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis. Brooke Army Medical Center Environmental Health Services members are conducting mosquito surveillance and request people don’t tamper with mosquito traps... MORE

Due to the recent heavy rains, the amount of mosquitos has increased at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis. Brooke Army Medical Center Environmental Health Services members are conducting mosquito surveillance and request people don’t tamper with mosquito traps.

MHS Nurse Advice Line is only a call or click away
October 17, 2018 — The free, 24/7 advice line helps ensure the health and well-being of beneficiaries while reducing unnecessary emergency room and urgent care visits that can strain resources and cause longer wait times for all patients... MORE

s of April 1, the MHS Nurse Advice Line expanded to include additional health care support services. The advice line is available by phone, web chat or video chat to beneficiaries who are anywhere in the world with a military treatment facility – including Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, South Korea, and Japan.

346th Test Squadron moves to new home
October 17, 2018 — The 346th Test Squadron conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 15. The ceremony was hosted to welcome the Unified Capabilities Assessment Program team to its new home. The team provides Department of Defense Information Network, or DODIN, Approved Products List, or APL, testing of communications equipment before the equipment can be connected to the DODIN. UCAP is the only Air Force lab that provides DODIN APL testing and results are accepted Department of Defense-wide... MORE

Col. Melissa Cunningham, 67th Cyberspace Wing commander, addresses attendees during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 15. The ceremony was hosted to welcome the 346th Test Squadron, Unified Capabilities Assessment Program team to its new home. The UCAP team provides Department of Defense Information Network Approved Products List testing of communications equipment before the equipment can be connected to the DODIN. UCAP is the only Air Force lab that provides DODIN APL testing and results are accepted DOD-wide.

VIPER Clinic stands ready to keep security forces students fresh for the fight
October 17, 2018 — At the 343rd Training Squadron, the road to becoming a Defender in the U.S. Air Force is not for the faint of heart. Twelve-plus-hour training days, unpredictable weather, intense physical conditioning and a demanding academic curriculum are waiting for Airmen who wish to earn their place in U.S. Air Force Security Forces... MORE

Jacquelyn Hale, a 343rd Training Squadron athletic trainer, walks a 343rd TRS trainee through physical training exercises