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Army North takes part in Vibrant Response/Guardian Response exercises
May 22, 2019 — An Army North Observer, Controller, Trainer evaluates Soldiers from 68th Engineer Construction Company, Task Force Operations, Joint Task Force-Civil Support, or JTF-CS, conducting urban search and rescue tasks during Exercise Guardian Response at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana May 4... MORE

An Army North Observer, Controller, Trainer evaluates Soldiers from 68th Engineer Construction Company, Task Force Operations, Joint Task Force-Civil Support, or JTF-CS, conducting urban search and rescue tasks during Exercise Guardian Response at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana May 4. When directed, JTF-CS provides command and control of the 5,200-person Defense Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Response Force (DCRF) during a catastrophic crisis in support of civil authorities and the lead federal agency. Vibrant Response/Guardian Response is an annual combined Command Post Exercise and Field Training Exercise which validates the ability of the DCRF forces to conduct the CBRN Response mission.

Army Public Health Center dispel 'kissing bug' invasion rumors
May 22, 2019 — Entomologists with the Army Public Health Center say concerns about blood-sucking "kissing bugs," which can transmit Chagas disease, spreading north from southernmost states may fuel social media rumors, but the reality is there is no cause for alarm... MORE

The eastern bloodsucking conenose, Triatoma sanguisuga, feeds on animals and humans and has a habit of biting humans in the face. There are actually 11 different naturally occurring species of kissing bug in the U.S., though they do best in the warmer climates of the southern states.

Medical Professional Training Brigade welcomes new command sergeant major
May 22, 2019 — Command Sgt. Maj. Jennifer A. Redding assumed responsibility of the Medical Professional Training Brigade in a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston May 22... MORE

Col. Shauna L. Snyder (right), commander, Medical Professional Training Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Jennifer A. Redding at an assumption of responsibility ceremony held at the Army Medical Department Museum May 22.

BAMC Day of Remembrance event teaches about Holocaust, honors survivors
May 22, 2019 — Brooke Army Medical Center held a Day of Remembrance observance May 15 to remember those killed during the Holocaust and honor those who survived... MORE

Dr. Steven Rosenblatt, guest speaker, lights a candle to honor the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust May 15 during the Days of Remembrance observance at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Rosenblatt, the son of a Holocaust survivor, talked about Adolf Hitler's rise to power and his mother's journey as a Holocaust survivor.

Air Force completes test of combat support innovation
May 22, 2019 — The Air Force completed the final test of an innovative warfighting concept May 12 that could be a game-changer for future adaptive-basing constructs. The Combat Support Wing proof-of-concept capstone exercise developed by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center and hosted by Air Combat Command’s 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, tested the ability of three teams of about 30 Airmen each to establish and operate an airfield in an austere environment... MORE

Airmen from multiple Air Force specialty codes perform a hot-pit refuel on an F-15E during the Combat Support Wing capstone May 9, 2019, at Kinston Regional Jetport, North Carolina. A hot-pit is a term used to describe a jet being refueled on the ground while the engines are running.

AFPC 'Roadshow' Town Hall visits Ramstein Air Base
May 22, 2019 — Leaders from the Air Force's Personnel Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph spoke to military members and civilian employees assigned to the Kaiserslautern Military Community during a town hall at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 13. ... MORE

Air Force Maj. Gen. Andrew Toth, Air Force Personnel Center commander, opens the AFPC Roadshow Town Hall at the Hercules Theater at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 13, 2019. During the town hall, AFPC briefers spoke to 86th Airlift Wing military and civilians on changes to processes and policies regarding personnel matters.

Wilson praises Airmen, expresses gratitude in farewell remarks reflecting on her tenure as Air Force secretary
May 22, 2019 — Two years and nine days since becoming the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson bid a formal farewell May 21 to the institution and its Airmen, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and declaring, “I will always be an Airman.”... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson receives the Exceptional Civilian Service Award during her farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, May 21, 2019.

Air Force leaders: have fun with safety in mind this Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2019 — The Memorial Day holiday weekend is the official start of the 2019 Summer Safety focus period that will run through Labor Day... MORE

As you execute our Air Force mission or participate in summer activities with your family and friends, please use what you have learned about risk management. Plan for the unexpected, make wise choices, and avoid unnecessary risks. Your families need you, and our Nation needs you to be healthy and fit to accomplish our mission.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launches education program for military members
May 22, 2019 — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is launching its Misadventures in Money Management financial education tools for all active duty service members at the Academic Support Building, building 1467, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston May 23... MORE

Misadventures in Money Management, or MiMM, is a virtual financial education learning experience that fills a critical gap in consumer financial education topics for future service members. The program is currently in use by all of the military services: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.

SWTW dedicates fitness facility to fallen special tactics Airman
May 21, 2019 — Special Tactics Airmen, both current and those still in training, gathered to remember and honor a fallen Special Tactics Airman, Senior Airman Bradley Smith, during a dedication ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland April 19... MORE

Col. Parks Hughes (left), Special Warfare Training Wing commander, present a plaque to the family of Senior Airman Bradley Smith, a fallen Special Tactic Airman and Silver Star recipient, during a dedication ceremony April 19 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex, Texas.

Defense Health Agency director discusses healthcare transformation at BAMC town hall
May 21, 2019 — U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, held a town hall meeting at Brooke Army Medical Center May 14 to answer questions about the military health system transformation and how it will further improve healthcare delivery for warfighters, family members and military retirees... MORE

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, discusses the DHA transition during a town hall meeting at Brooke Army Medical Center May 14. BAMC will transition under DHA command and authority Oct. 1.

Future service members honored at 8th Annual “A Night in Your Honor”
May 21, 2019 — More than 180 future service members, joined by their families, educators, business leaders, and the military gathered in the Rosenberg Sky Room at the University of the Incarnate Word to participate in the 8th Annual “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes-San Antonio May 15... MORE

Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds, commanding officer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, and Command Master Chief Francisco Valdovinos delivered certificates and challenge coins to 36 future Sailors, who were honored during “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes-San Antonio in the Rosenberg Sky Room at the University of the Incarnate Word May 15.

Tuition assistance and Navy College Program Policy updates announced
May 21, 2019 — The U.S. Navy announced changes to tuition assistance and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education, or NCPACE, program management May 21 in Naval Administrative Message 114/19... MORE

Ophthalmology teams give Guyanese the gift of sight
May 21, 2019 — U.S. military ophthalmology teams -- including doctors from Joint Base San Antonio -- deployed in support of New Horizons training exercise 2019 and partnered with Guyanese doctors at the Port Mourant Hospital in Port Mourant, Guyana, May 6-16. ... MORE

U.S. service members perform postoperative checks on the last ophthalmology center patient during New Horizons exercise 2019 at Port Mourant, Guyana, May 16, 2019. The ophthalmology clinic was established to provide aid to the Guyanese population by screening and selecting patients to receive cataract surgery in support of New Horizons 2019. The New Horizons exercise 2019 provides U.S. military members an opportunity to train for an overseas deployment and the logistical requirements it entails. The exercise promotes bilateral cooperation by providing opportunities for U.S. and partner nation military engineers, medical personnel and support staff to work and train side by side.

Regular exercise helps to alleviate pain for arthritis sufferers
May 21, 2019 — Arthritis Awareness Month, which is observed in May, is a time to motivate people, especially those with arthritis, to become more physically active... MORE

Airman 1st Class Albert Lapera, 359th Medical Group physical therapy technician, performs a single-legged squat on the total gym machine as Dr. Jason Wheeler, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy Flight physical therapist, instructs proper placement of his foot. Arthritis Awareness Month, which is observed in May, is a time to motivate people, especially those with arthritis, to become more physically active.

AMEDD Captains Career Course changes helping students become better leaders
May 21, 2019 — Changes in requirements in the Army Medicine Captains Career Course at the Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are better preparing students to lead in both ground combat operations and operations supporting civil authorities in emergencies... MORE

Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence students participate in a field training exercise for the Captains Career Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis May 7. Sitting clockwise at the table are Capts. Mike Bird, Maureen Mulholland and Kirby Leininger, who are looking at a map of Houston in a scenario in which a hurricane has made landfall on the city. During the exercise, the students put together a support operations plan for a medical battalion that is supporting civil authorities responding to the hurricane. Students in the Captains Career Course undergo nine weeks of training that includes classroom and hands-on training about the Military Decision Making Process, Army Health Systems Support and Force Health Protection doctrine, unit training management, leadership skills and staff officer functions.

Ensuring readiness for Soldiers, families
May 21, 2019 — As the Army's most important asset, Soldiers, and the families who support them, are the top priority in the mission to ensure readiness... MORE

Caring for military families living at Army installations is essential to ensuring Soldier readiness. Children such as Amore Cox, daughter of Spc. ShaTyra Reed stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, benefit from the family programs offered by the Army Materiel Command's Installation Management Command.

Army announces alternate assessments for ACFT field testing
May 21, 2019 — Following successful initial field testing, Army senior leaders have approved the development of alternate Army Combat Fitness Test assessments for selected Soldiers with permanent profiles that prevent full participation in the six-event test... MORE

New doctrine Smart Book helps Soldiers, leaders navigate the Army Health System
May 21, 2019 — The Army Health System Doctrine Smart Book is designed to provide the basic information necessary for leaders to familiarize themselves with this doctrine and the original sources. It clarifies why various constructs exist and how they all fit together... MORE

A 68W Combat Medic attending the Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy Advanced Leader Course prepares an injection.

METC med tech student assists car crash victims
May 21, 2019 — A student in the Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, or AMSA, program at the Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, helped render aid at the scene of a major car crash recently... MORE

Airman 1st Class Colten Connelly simulates a c-spine stabilization on a “patient” during emergency medical technician training in the Aerospace Service Medical Apprentice program at the Medical Education and Training Campus. The technique is the same one he administered to a vehicle accident victim. The purpose of this skill is to prevent further injury to patients involved in a trauma. When this skill is completed appropriately, the patient is unable to move and will stay on the backboard until a physician evaluates them for spinal injuries.