Joint Base San Antonio > News

JBSA leader honors legacy of President Lyndon B. Johnson on 111th anniversary
August 28, 2019 — “President Johnson was a man whose legacy is as big as the Texas sky,” said Col. Philip G. Born, 37th Training Wing vice commander, during a public wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 27 at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. This year marked the 111th anniversary of Johnson’s birth, in a house on the sprawling ranch in the Texas Hill Country. ... MORE

Col. Phillip G. Born, 37th Training Wing vice commander, speaks at the Lyndon B. Johnson Birthday Observance Wreath-Laying Ceremony Aug. 27 at the LBJ National Historical Park at Johnson City, Texas. The annual event honors what would have been Johnson’s 111th birthday.

Military students can win $20,000 in scholarships from exchange
August 28, 2019 — Military students who make a difference in their community are eligible to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s and Unilever’s Rewards of Caring essay contest... MORE

Military students who excel at serving their communities can earn cash for college by telling their stories in an essay contest.

Husband and wife, both three-star generals, share secrets to dual family success
August 28, 2019 — During the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Richardson family faced a difficult dilemma. James and Laura Richardson, Army officers with promising careers, both received orders to deploy to Iraq... MORE

Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson and Lt. Gen. James Richardson discuss their dual military family life, which has spanned more than three decades. Dual military families are family units where both parents serve in the military. Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson is the commanding general of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Lt. Gen. James Richardson serves as the deputy commanding general of Army Futures Command in Austin,

Army names top drill sergeant at JBSA-Camp Bullis competition
August 28, 2019 — After five days, more than 70 tested events and hundreds of evaluated standards, the U.S. Army named its top drill sergeant in an Aug. 23 ceremony hosted by the Center for Initial Military Training, or CIMT, the lead in the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, or TRADOC, for all initial entry training. The annual event was conducted at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis for the first time since the Drill Sergeant of the Year was established 50 years ago... MORE

Army Staff Sgt. Earnest J. Knight II, Drill Sergeant Academy, on a ruck march.

OTS beta courses test accelerated commissioning program for senior NCOs
August 28, 2019 — Air University is testing a new, accelerated program to help fast-track qualifying Air Force senior non-commissioned officers looking to commission as Air Force second lieutenants... MORE

This image illustrates the start of the first Officer Training School Accelerated Commissioning Program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Mississippi. OTS-ACP tests commissioning senior NCOs in 14 training days instead of the standard 40 training days.

Air Force EFMP families can attend Virtual Summit 3.0
August 28, 2019 — For the third year, Air Force Services Directorate, or AF/A1S, the Air Force's Personnel Center and the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency will jointly host the Exceptional Family Member Program Summit 3.0... MORE

Army offers more than $80,000 in re-up bonuses
August 27, 2019 — Effective Sept. 9, Soldiers willing to reenlist in some of the Army's most in-demand careers have the chance to receive up to $81,000 in lump-sum bonuses -- the highest amount in more than five years, officials announced Aug. 27... MORE

Spc. Eugene Bromberg (left with hand raised), an infantryman, is led in the oath of reenlistment by his commanding officer Army Cpt. Evan Dimakas (right with hand raised) in Poptun, Guatemala, July 15, 2019. The two are flanked by Soldiers from B Company, 182nd Infantry Regiment and Guatemalan Kaiblies. Bromberg, who immediately bonded with the Guatemalan special forces soldiers, asked that they be included in his reenlistment ceremony.

DOD to begin next major phase of military hospital consolidation
August 27, 2019 — The Department of Defense is preparing for the next major step in consolidating military hospitals and clinics under a single agency, one of the largest organizational changes within the U.S. military in decades... MORE

Lt. Col. Juli Fung-Hayes (center), a U.S. Army Reserve emergency medicine physician with the 2nd Medical Brigade, leads a medic team from the 396th Combat Support Hospital, headquartered at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, through a trauma and critical care scenario in a field hospital during a promotional photo shoot for Army Reserve marketing and recruiting at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, July 18, 2018.

Army overhauls small arms training with tougher standards, combat-like rigor
August 27, 2019 — The U.S. Army has drawn up a sweeping overhaul of how it will train Soldiers in using small arms -- rifles, pistols and automatic rifles -- a revamp that adds tougher standards and combat-like rigor to training and testing marksmanship... MORE

Soldiers with C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment, a one station unit training for cavalry scouts with the Maneuver Center of Excellence, zero their M4 carbines at Soto Range on Fort Benning, Georgia Aug. 21.

Army North civilian is a 2019 Joint Women’s Meritorious Service Award recipient
August 26, 2019 — Martha Wilkins, U.S. Army North Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer Program Manager, was recognized as one of the 2019 Joint Women’s Meritorious Service Award recipients at the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium hosted by the Sea Service Leadership Association... MORE

Martha Wilkins (center), Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, U.S. Army North, was recognized as one of the 2019 Joint Women’s Meritorious Service Award recipients, at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium held in Washington D.C., Aug. 23. The 32nd Annual symposium, which is the largest gathering of women in uniform in the nation, brings together women serving in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard including civilians, officers, enlisted and cadets. JWLS has become a crucial component in the professional growth and development of women in our Armed Forces.

Women's Equality Day: Inclusion, talent management is the way ahead
August 26, 2019 — Observed on Aug. 26, Women's Equality Day commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920, guaranteeing women the right to vote. While the change to the Constitution was significant toward shaping gender equality, it highlights the complicated journey women had to gain equal rights... MORE

Master Sgt. Jessica Alicea-Cavezza (right), Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention Program Manager conducts a jumpmaster pre-inspection with Sgt. Allyson Westfall, parachute rigger, both from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, prior to an airborne operation over Luzon Drop Zone at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, March 25, 2019. The Soldiers completed an all-women’s pass and performed the jump in celebration of Women’s History Month, which has been celebrated in the United States since 1987, and highlighted contributions of women to U.S. Army history and society.

Air Force pilot trainee accepts tennis award, life’s challenges
August 23, 2019 — Second Lt. Isaac Perez, a former tennis player at the U.S. Air Force Academy, has been named a 2019 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recipient by the National Collegiate Athletics Association. ... MORE

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Isaac Perez celebrates the end of a match in this undated photo while a member of the United States Air Force Academy men’s tennis team. Perez, who will begin pilot training in early 2020, has been named a 2019 recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s national Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship award.

Joint Base San Antonio community celebrates women’s equality
August 23, 2019 — The Joint Base San Antonio community celebrated Women’s Equality Day with its annual observance at the Fort Sam Houston Theater Aug. 22. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women’s Right to Vote,” is based on the U.S. Congress designation of Aug. 26 as Women's Equality Day in 1971. The date commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote in 1920. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler gives remarks during the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Women’s Equality Day observance Aug. 22 at the Fort Sam Houston Theater. Beeler was this year’s keynote speaker for the observance. Beeler is the commanding general of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command.

K-9 fixer upper: 340th FTG volunteers spruce up dogs’ digs
August 23, 2019 — It was a K-9 fixer upper opportunity that led two 340th Flying Training Group members who don’t have pets to spend a recent afternoon helping dogs who don’t have families... MORE

Master Sgt. Melissa Erwin and Anthoney Smith, 340th Flying Training Group, volunteered a few hours last week to paint dog kennels at the Humane Society of New Braunfels Area shelter in New Braunfels, Texas.

JBSA program provides information and resources on suicide prevention
August 23, 2019 — Active duty members, military family members, Department of Defense civilians and veterans who are experiencing thoughts of suicide have a program they can turn to at Joint Base San Antonio that can connect them with the resources they need to get help... MORE

Active duty service members, military family members, veterans and DOD civilians seeking help and resources for suicidal behaviors, substance abuse problems or risky behaviors, can contact members of the Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, including Ward at 210-221-2093; Leslie Noel, ASAP prevention coordinator, at 210-221-0326; or Alicia Cline, ASAP risk reduction coordinator, at 210-221-1696.

Commentary: I did it. On purpose
August 23, 2019 — You’ve probably heard the words, “I’m sorry, it was an accident” or some variation countless times throughout your life. I have five kids, so I hear it way too often. ... MORE

An accident is defined as “any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.” The way it is commonly used today generally implies something “wasn’t my fault.” We use it as an excuse – a way to avoid taking responsibility or avoid being blamed – when the results of our actions don’t match up with our intentions.

AFIMSC-BESPIN alliance improves mission support capabilities
August 23, 2019 — An alliance between the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Business and Enterprise Systems Product Innovation office is improving mission support capabilities. ... MORE

An Air Force Business Enterprise Systems Directorate coding team discusses a mobile app they are developing for the Air Force during a recent huddle in Atlanta. Business and Enterprise Systems Product Innovation based at the Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, is teaming with the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Office at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to develop applications that will help Airmen do their jobs better and stay connected to their military community.

Joint Base San Antonio honors the 'Greatest Generation'
August 23, 2019 — The Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Survivor Outreach Services Support Program, in partnership with the Fort Sam Houston Gold Star Families, hosted a ceremony recognizing World War II Veterans for their service and sacrifice at the Military and Family Readiness Center at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 20... MORE

Brig. Gen. Walter Duzzny (left), deputy commanding general of U.S. Army North, listens to the stories of Tuskegee Airmen James Bynum and Theodore Johnson after a ceremony honoring World War II Veterans for their service and sacrifice at the Military and Family Readiness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 20. The ceremony was hosted by the FSH Survivor Outreach Services Support Program in partnership with the FSH Gold Star Families as a way to honor the WWII veterans who were unable to travel to France for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

Feedback Fridays
August 23, 2019 — 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. 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.

BAMC oxygen therapy helps patient heal after multiple surgeries
August 21, 2019 — The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston uses oxygen therapy to treat patients who have a wide range of illnesses and injuries... MORE

A staff member places a patient into the single hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Brooke Army Medical Center. Hyperbaric oxygen is an intervention in which an individual breathes nearly 100 percent oxygen while inside a hyperbaric chamber that is pressurized to greater than sea level pressure.