Joint Base San Antonio > News > News - Year 2018

Like death and taxes, spring allergy season is certain in South Texas
April 9, 2018 — Following a raging winter flu season, the proliferation of pollen from trees, flowers, grasses and weeds signifies that spring has sprung in South Texas... MORE

Freedom Flyers Reunion welcomes friends from Vietnam
April 6, 2018 — The 45th annual Freedom Flyer Reunion had five guests who managed to escape from Vietnam two years after Americas POWs were released. From the beginning of the Vietnam War in 1954 till the end in 1973, America played a role in defending its allies in the Republic of Vietnam. The incentive was to end the growing communist system in Vietnam... MORE

Vietnamese War pilots Chau Trinh and Hai Le War stand in front of the Missing Man Formation Monument, March 13, 2018 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX. Both Trinh and Le trained and received their wings at Randolph AFB in 1964. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gwendalyn Smith)

JBSA leaders show support for sexual assault survivors at proclamation signing
April 6, 2018 — Five Joint Base San Antonio leaders showed their support for sexual assault survivors and urged active-duty members and government civilians to take action against sexual assault, signing a proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at the Medical Education and Training Campus Student Academic Center at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston April 3... MORE

JBSA leaders signed a proclamation marking Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at an April 3 ceremony held at the Medical Education and Training Campus Student Academic Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Signing the proclamation (from left) are Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command; Robert Naething, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) deputy to the commanding general; and Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA commander.

Military Rabbi’s faith extends beyond Joint Base San Antonio
April 6, 2018 — Every Friday afternoon, Rabbi Rafael Berdugo conducts services at the Airmen’s Memorial Chapel on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. His congregation reaches across all denominations as the Air Force Major offers words of faith and guidance to all who attend... MORE

Course teaches medical officers about Army tasks and leadership
April 6, 2018 — Each year, approximately 2,000 incoming officers at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School learn about Army values and how to be a Soldier in a course that puts their knowledge and leadership skills to the test. The Basic Officer Leader Course, or BOLC, is the entry-level course for students becoming Army commissioned officers... MORE

Students in the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School Basic Officer Leader Course, or BOLC, carry a “wounded” Soldier on a stretcher during a simulated enemy attack as part of their field training Feb. 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis. BOLC is the entry-level course for students who are becoming commissioned officers in the Army and is conducted in two phases over seven weeks, including classroom training and field training. The objective of the course is to train new officers in Army tasks and familiarize them with the AMEDD culture.

Combat medics learn to save lives at Forward Operating Base Courage
April 6, 2018 — You may have never heard of Forward Operating Base Courage, but tucked into a corner of Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis is a unique military training area – the Soldier Medic Training Site... MORE

John Whitfield, medical laboratory technician with the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center, prepares to collect blood from Army Pvt. William Mulroney (foreground) while LaTonya Steward preps Army Pvt. Anthony Rosado. Both Soldiers are assigned to CompanyE, 232nd Medical Battalion.

Air Force launches new application tool for Airmen athletes
April 6, 2018 — Air Force Sports, managed by the Air Force Services Activity, recently launched an online application system to make it easier for Airmen athletes to apply for Air Force sports teams... MORE

The Air Force recently launched an online application system to make it easier for Airmen athletes to apply for Air Force sports teams. Tech. Sgt. Giselle Stone, NCOIC of Air Force Sports shows Airmen how to submit an application using the new APPTRAC tool.

DOD, DHS to work with governors to deploy Guardsmen to southern border
April 5, 2018 — President Donald J. Trump has directed the Defense and Homeland Security departments to work with state governors to deploy National Guard troops to the southern U.S. border, a top official said April 4. ... MORE

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen briefs reporters at the White House, April 4, 2018.

Army secretary: basic training might be lengthened
April 5, 2018 — The Army wants Soldiers who complete basic combat training and advanced individual training to be ready to deploy “on day one” once they reach their units, said Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper. As such, the Army is considering lengthening training so that new Soldiers are better indoctrinated into Army culture and values, are physically fit, and technically and tactically more proficient, he said. ... MORE

U.S. Army Trainees assigned to Foxtrot 1st Battalion 34th Infantry Regiment run to the company area on the first day of Basic Combat Training June 12, 2017, at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Joint Base San Antonio celebrates volunteers
April 5, 2018 — From leading Family Readiness Groups, Key Spouses and Ombudsman to coaching youth sports, coordinating PTA meetings and organizing military spouse clubs to supporting our wounded warriors and lending a helping hand at our hospitals, libraries, administrative offices, and museums – volunteers are the foundation of our military community... MORE

Active Duty? Enroll to continue TRICARE coverage after retirement
April 5, 2018 — Retiring from active duty, whether a medical retirement or a regular retirement, is a significant life event. You should know before you retire which TRICARE programs best suit your and your family’s needs. Once you retire, you’ll only have 90 days from your retirement date to enroll in a TRICARE plan to continue TRICARE coverage. Otherwise, you will have no TRICARE purchased care coverage and will only be able to access care at military hospitals and clinics on a space-available basis... MORE

Retiree News: Photocopying federal IDs violates U.S. code
April 5, 2018 — Recent incidents regarding the photocopying of military identification cards and common access cards by commercial establishments to verify military affiliation or provide government rates for service, have been reported... MORE

Vietnam veteran has holiday bill paid off at Fort Sam Houston Exchange
April 5, 2018 — A purchase made after relocating to the San Antonio area in the fall of 2017 turned out to be a real holiday surprise for retired Army Col. Edward Lynch. It qualified him for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s worldwide Military Star “Your Holiday Bill is On Us” contest, of which he won one of the grand prizes, a $2,500 payoff towards his card balance... MORE

Retired Army Col. Edward Lynch (right) is congratulated by James Jordan, Exchange chief financial officer, after receiving a $2,500 check to pay off his Military Star card balance at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Exchange April 4. Lynch was entered into the contest when he used his card last fall to make a purchase

Western Hemisphere Exchange Symposium brings IAAFA partners together
April 4, 2018 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy, or IAAFA, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland welcomed partners from 21 nations to San Antonio, March 13 -17, 2018, with a mission to continue strengthening relationships during its annual Western Hemisphere Exchange Symposium and 75th IAAFA anniversary celebration... MORE

2018 Joint Base San Antonio Ambassadors take part in NCAA Div. I men's hoops final
April 4, 2018 — The 2018 Joint Base San Antonio Ambassadors were part of a nationally televised salute to the military before NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship game at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio April 2... MORE

The 2018 Joint Base San Antonio Ambassadors pose at midcourt before the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game at the Alamodome Monday, April 2, 2018. From left ot right are: Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. Warner; Army Sgt. 1st Class Latrise N. Flanigan, Marine Cpl. Emanuela Shehu, Marine Sgt. Jonaton T. McFadden Jr., Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Chatterto, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Mendoza De Saenz, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christofer Mercad, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Melissa M. Bennett and Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Victoria Toth.

Soldiers battle for coveted Expert Field Medical Badge during BAMC’s first challenge
April 4, 2018 — Eighty-four candidates converged on Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis March 17 to begin their quest for the coveted Expert Field Medical Badge. Only 14 Soldiers walked away with the esteemed badge during a ceremony held March 28... MORE

Army 1st Lt. Devon Furey, masters one of three warrior skills tasks on combat testing lane one March 26 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis during Expert Field Medical Badge testing.

Five ways to use feedback to strengthen your customer’s experience
April 3, 2018 — With the explosion of social media feedback tools, there are now countless ways your customers can rate you what happened during their experience and how they feel about your organization, products and services... MORE

Airman reunites with parents at concert
April 2, 2018 — In September 2016 Senior Airman and Puerto Rico native Jonathan Rodriguez-Maldonado, 502nd Comptroller Squadron finance technician, was deployed to Kuwait and returned to the United States in April 2017 with hopes of visiting his parents and other family in Puerto Rico later that year... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jonathan Rodriguez-Maldonado, 502d Comptroller Squadron finance technician is reunited with his parents during the NCAA March Madness Final Four Music Festival on March 31, 2018. Before he could visit his family in Puerto Rico, following a deployment to Kuwait, Hurricane Maria struck the island, leaving him unable to visit his family. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gwendalyn Smith)

Air Force spouse feedback needed
April 2, 2018 — The Air Force is looking for spouse feedback on retention regarding the types of issues and factors that may influence Air Force spouses and their Air Force military member to leave or remain in service... MORE

The Air Force is looking for spouse feedback on retention regarding the types of issues and factors that may influence Air Force spouses and their Air Force military member to leave or remain in service.

Expanded childcare options support deployed, remote Airmen
April 2, 2018 — The Air Force expanded the number of hours it will provide free child care for families of military members deployed or on remote assignments starting April 1, 2018... MORE

Three children make their way to a Child Development Center. Many service members take advantage of childcare services on base while they work.