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340th Flying Training Group hosts Congressional staffers
September 19, 2019 — Staff members for U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) toured the 340th Flying Training Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Sept. 16, focusing on total force integration between air reserve and active duty squadrons to accomplish the flying training mission. ... MORE

Nadia Islam and Gilbert Lafuente, staff members for U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), stand on the wing of a T-6 aircraft during a tour of the 340th Flying Training Group Sept. 16, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The visit focused on total force integration between air reserve and active duty squadrons to accomplish the flying training mission.

Army South commander honors Chilean allies
September 19, 2019 — Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, traveled to Santiago, Chile Sept. 17-19, where he joined other partner nation army leaders to celebrate Chile’s Independence Day and The Day of the Glories of the Chilean Army... MORE

Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, arrives at the Chilean Army Bicentennial Building in Santiago, Chile, Sept. 17 where he is greeted by the Honor Guard “Ganaderos” No. 1. Walrath traveled to Santiago where he joined other partner nation army leaders to celebrate Chile’s Independence Day and The Day of the Glories of the Chilean Army.

Operation Supplement Safety provides up-to-date information
September 19, 2019 — Operation Supplement Safety is a Department of Defense educational program under the Consortium for Health and Military Performance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to increase awareness within the DOD community. It provides information about how to evaluate dietary supplements by outlining the potential red flags and health risks that may be associated with them... MORE

Operation Supplement Safety, an ongoing program under the Consortium for Health and Military Performance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, provides military service members and their families, healthcare providers, and leaders, up-to-date information about dietary supplements. Dietary supplements refer to any vitamin, mineral, botanical, amino acid, or substance taken by mouth and labeled on the front of the product stating it’s a dietary supplement.

Air Force fields new hiring process for new first sergeants
September 18, 2019 — The Air Force has implemented a new hiring process for new first sergeants with the Fall 2019 First Sergeant assignment cycle... MORE

Air Force has removed the first sergeant from Developmental Special Duty and has implemented a new hiring process for new first sergeants. The new hiring process will simply be known as the First Sergeant Assignments Program.

149th Fighter Wing hosts SA meteorologist on Air Force anniversary
September 18, 2019 — The 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland marked the 72nd anniversary of the U.S. Air Force with a visit from News 4 meteorologist Jeannette Calle Sept. 18... MORE

Master Sgt. David Romero, a crew chief assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, talks to San Antonio weather reporter Jeannette Calle at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Sept 18. Local weather reporters conducted a live weather broadcast at JBSA-Lackland in honor of the Air Forces’ 72nd birthday.

149th Fighter Wing welcomes new vice commander
September 18, 2019 — Texas Military Department leaders announced their decision in late June of who would be the next vice commander of the 149th Fighter Wing, an Air National Guard F-16 unit known as the Lone Star Gunfighters. The selection board chose Col. Megan Erickson, commander of the 149th FW’s Mission Support Group. ... MORE

Col. Megan Erickson is the new vice commander of the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

DOD launches new pain rating scale
September 18, 2019 — The Department of Defense launched a pain rating scale for use in hospitals to better assess pain in patients. The Defense and Veteran’s Pain Rating Scale improves older pain assessment techniques by measuring not only the intensity of pain, but its impact on daily function as well... MORE

The Defense and Veteran’s Pain Rating Scale

Air Force top Chaplain Corps’ NCO left the barre behind
September 17, 2019 — Like most teenagers, Angela Carter had life all figured out, spending 40-plus hours a week ballet dancing... MORE

Master Sgt. Angela Carter, JBSA-Lackland Religious Affairs Superintendent, meets with her staff of chaplain’s assistants at Gateway Chapel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sabrina Fine)

Learning to serve kids a healthier future
September 17, 2019 — September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity in America has tripled since the 1970s and September is dedicated to awareness of the epidemic... MORE

Teaching children at a young age to appreciate vegetables encourages healthy eating habits. September is National Childhood Obesity awareness month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sabrina Fine)

Air Force announces newest Red Tail: ‘T-7A Red Hawk’
September 17, 2019 — The Air Force’s all-new advanced trainer aircraft, the T-X, has officially been named the T-7A Red Hawk. The first T-7A aircraft and simulators are scheduled to arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in 2023... MORE

The Air Force’s all-new advanced trainer aircraft, the T-X, has officially been named the T-7A Red Hawk

U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence makes history
September 17, 2019 — The Army’s medical training and education institution, widely known as “AMEDD Center and School,” officially changed their name to “U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence,” or MEDCoE, effective Sept. 15... MORE

U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence command team Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent and Command Sgt. Maj. William "Buck" O'Neal were assisted in unveiling the new name by Senior Drill Sergeant Kyle Specht (far left) and Staff Sgt. Alexander Bach, the center’s 2019 Best Warrior winner (far right), at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Sept. 16.

Commentary: How suicide changed my life
September 17, 2019 — Learning about mindfulness has helped me acknowledge the thoughts I have that are harmful to my mental health. It has helped me learn not to be judgmental of myself when I do the wrong things or make bad decisions. It has given me the ability to treat myself with grace and forgive myself. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Amanda Stanford, 59th Medical Wing broadcast journalist, shows both sides of depression Aug. 15, 2019 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

Texas middle school dedicated to fallen former student and Air Force captain
September 16, 2019 — A name and legacy to inspire students – this is how family, friends, educators, and the community paid tribute to U.S. Air Force Capt. Mark “Tyler” Voss during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-opened Capt. Mark Tyler Voss Middle School Sept. 14... MORE

Air Force defends Alpha Warrior Inter-Service title
September 16, 2019 — The Air Force won its second straight Alpha Warrior Inter-Service Championship over the Army and Navy Sept. 14 at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. The grueling competition saw the three, six-person teams tackling more than 30 obstacles at the Alpha Warrior Proving Ground, the same place where they competed in service-specific competitions to earn a spot in the inter-service finals Sept. 12. ... MORE

Air Force members pose for a photograph after winning the 2019 Alpha Warrior Inter-Service Battle Sept. 14, 2019, at the Alpha Warrior Proving Grounds, Selma, Texas. The Army came in second place and the Navy third place. The Air Force partnered with Alpha Warrior three years ago to deliver functional fitness training to Airmen and their families.

Fowl or foul, filthy food affects thousands
September 13, 2019 — September is National Food Safety Education Month, established to bring awareness to how each year one in six Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... MORE

In observance of Food Safety Education Month in September, the Defense Commissary Agency joins the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety Inspection Service, the Department of Health and Human Services and other organizations to help prevent foodborne illnesses by increasing awareness of improperly handling food items.

Iraq veteran overcomes rough childhood, suicide attempt to achieve resilience
September 13, 2019 — An Iraq War veteran who endured a brutal childhood, testified against his mother during her murder trial and tried to end his own life brought his story of resilience and forgiveness to an audience of military members and civilians at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph this week... MORE

Andrew O’Brien, an Iraq War veteran and public speaker, shares his message of recreating a positive life from negative experiences at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Sept. 10, 2019. O’Brien endured a brutal childhood, testified against his mother during her murder trial and tried to end his own life; with this speaking engagement he shared his resilience and forgiveness to an audience of military members and civilians.

City of San Antonio Council celebrates Air Force 72nd Birthday at City Hall
September 13, 2019 — The San Antonio City Council helped celebrate the Air Force’s 72nd Birthday with the 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio at City Hall Sept. 12... MORE

(From left) As is the Air Force birthday tradition, District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, who served as the oldest Airman, Airman 1st Class Charzell Lewis served as the youngest Airman with the assistance of District 9 Councilman John Courage, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Brig. Gen. Laura Lenderman, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander.

Airmen ‘battle’ in Alpha Warrior final; team set for inter-service showdown
September 13, 2019 — Twelve Airmen battled it out in a showdown of strength, grit and determination during the third annual Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle Sept. 12 at Retama Park, Selma, Texas... MORE

Capt. Noah Palicia attacks the rings on the Alpha Warrior Proving Ground , Selma, Texas, Sept. 9, 2019 during the Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle. The annual competition crowns the Air Force's top Alpha Warriors with the top three men and three women forming the Air Force Alpha Warrior Team. The Air Force partnered with Alpha Warrior three years ago to deliver functional fitness training to Airmen and their families.

433rd CES firefighters climb to remember fallen 9-11 first responders
September 13, 2019 — The 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters participated in the wing’s fourth 9/11 Memorial Stair climb during the unit training assembly at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Sept. 8. The firefighters climbed stairs of the fire training building 55 times to equal the 110 floors of World Trade Center twin tower buildings. ... MORE

The 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters climb stairs of the fire training building to honor the first responders lost during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center during a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Sept. 8, 2019 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The firefighters climbed stairs 55 times to equal the 110 floors of World Trade Center twin tower buildings.

59th Medical Wing: 'We're your family here'
September 13, 2019 — Retired U.S. Army Capt. Katie Blanchard estimates she has undergone nearly 200 surgeries since she was burned in a workplace violence incident three years ago... MORE

Retired U.S. Army Capt. Katie Blanchard squeezes the hand of Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, 59th Medical Specialty Squadron laser medicine chief, after surgery Sept. 6 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Blanchard estimates she has undergone nearly 200 surgeries since she was burned in a workplace violence incident three years ago.