Joint Base San Antonio > News > News - Year 2019

Army trains with 433rd Airlift Wing during Operation Lunar Phantom
March 15, 2019 — Thirty-nine active-duty Soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, participated in Operation Lunar Phantom, a joint air-load exercise with 433rd Airlift Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen loadmasters and aerial porters at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 1-3. The joint and total force event allowed Soldiers and Airmen from several units to work together when preparing for real-world deployments... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Wayne Burke (right), 26th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, instructs Army Private 1st Class Shakirra Hoyte (left), 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, on how to secure a vehicle for air transportation in a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft March 2, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Army reveals plans to improve military housing to Congress
March 15, 2019 — Army senior leaders introduced an action plan to lawmakers Thursday that outlines steps to remedy military housing issues. The plan includes a draft Tenant Bill of Rights, which is a joint effort by all military services expected to be finalized in the coming weeks... MORE

Soldiers ask a military family to respond to a survey as part of an ongoing Army-wide effort to resolve inadequate housing on installations. Army senior leaders introduced an action plan that outlines steps to remedy military housing issues to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2019.

Former 59th MDW dermatology resident provides wounded warriors unique treatment at MacDill Air Force Base
March 15, 2019 — The wounded-warrior-focused scar clinic at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, offers a variety of unique treatments for those who suffer from scarring as a result of blast injuries, burns, amputations, and other surgeries... MORE

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Burgess, a wounded warrior, receives a carbon dioxide laser treatment at the MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, scar clinic Feb. 15, 2019. The wounded-warrior-focused clinic offers a variety of unique treatments for those who suffer from scarring as a result of blast injuries, burns, amputations, and other surgeries.

Air Force Secretary, Chief of Staff outline service’s priorities, aspirations to Senate subcommittee
March 15, 2019 — Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told senators March 13 that the service’s $165 billion budget for fiscal year 2020 is designed to make the force larger, more ready and modern while also positioning it to better confront changing threats in space and globally... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein testify during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the fiscal year 2020 funding request and budget justification for the Department of the Air Force in Washington, D.C., March 13, 2019.

Feedback Fridays
March 15, 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.

Polo returns to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston March 30
March 15, 2019 — In the early 20th century, a polo match would’ve been a common sight on Army bases. For the second year in a row, polo returns to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Players charge after a free ball in a polo match May 5, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The match was the first time polo was played on the base in more than 50 years. A polo match would’ve been a common sight on Army bases in the early 20th century. Notable advocates and players included Gen. John Pershing, Gen. George Patton Jr., and Medal of Honor recipient Col. Gordon Johnston. The USPA created the Col. Gordon Johnston Sportsmanship Award in his honor.

Workshop focuses on financial planning for families with special-needs members
March 14, 2019 — A workshop addressing financial planning for families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program is set for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 28 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center... MORE

A workshop addressing financial planning for families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program is set for 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 28 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center.

Pilot Training Next innovations moving to undergraduate pilot training
March 14, 2019 — Beginning May 31, 2019, flying training wings across Air Education and Training Command will formally begin integrating innovations from Pilot Training Next into the undergraduate pilot training curriculum,19th Air Force officials announced at the PTN Technology Expo held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 12-13... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joseph Sabin, Air Education and Training Command Technology Integrated Detachment, flies a virtual-reality sortie at the Pilot Training Next Technology Expo at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 12. Technology currently being used at PTN was on display at the expo and subject matter experts and technology vendors were available to talk with attendees.

Cowboys For Heroes offers chuck wagon cooking and general cowboy-style fun
March 14, 2019 — Aficionados of chuck wagon cooking and general cowboy-style fun can round up their posse and head out to the annual Cowboys For Heroes at the MacArthur Parade Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30... MORE

Whether you enjoy your vittles barbecued or chicken-fried, in a stew or in a tortilla, there will be few people that will go away with empty bellies at the annual Cowboys For Heroes at the MacArthur Parade Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30.

149th Fighter Wing prepares jets for launch
March 14, 2019 — Air National Guard members of the 149th Fighter Wing prepare F-16s for takeoff at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 13, 2019... MORE

Maj. Russell Burkhard, an instructor pilot assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, sits in the backseat while Capt. Michael Butler, a student pilot assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, prepares for takeoff at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 13.

Air Force Materiel Command to host virtual hiring event
March 14, 2019 — The Air Force Materiel Command is scheduled to host an online, virtual hiring fair April 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, to fill multiple noncompetitive and direct-hire authority positions across the enterprise... MORE

Air Force Assistance Fund is just around the corner
March 13, 2019 — The annual Air Force Assistance Fund, or AFAF, campaign will begin March 18 and will run through April 26... MORE

The annual Air Force Assistance Fund, or AFAF, campaign will begin March 18 and will run through April 26.

$718.3 billion defense budget request focuses on threats
March 13, 2019 — At $718.3 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request announced at the Pentagon today by defense officials is an increase from last year’s $685 billion approved budget... MORE

At $718.3 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request announced at the Pentagon March 12 by defense officials is an increase from last year’s $685 billion approved budget.

Project ECHO: Using telehealth to maintain a ready medical force
March 13, 2019 — The Air Force Medical Service uses telehealth to make it easier for primary care providers to consult with specialists, creating additional learning opportunities for medical Airmen and improving patient care. ... MORE

A diabetes specialist with the Diabetes Center of Excellence at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, conducts a diabetes and prevention ECHO session, using telehealth to provide virtual consultation and mentorship for Air Force primary care providers at different military treatment facilities, Nov. 19, 2018. Project ECHO (short for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was originally developed by the University of New Mexico. The AFMS began using a modified version of Project ECHO in 2012 to improve the ability to connect medical Airmen with specialty providers at other military treatment facilities using telehealth capabilities.

TSA Precheck: don't board a plane until you read this article
March 13, 2019 — As a Department of Defense employee, you're eligible for Transportation Security Administration Precheck -- have you opted in?... MORE

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) makes it easier for DOD employees, reducing the security hassles with the TSA Precheck program.

Captain Marvel Exhibit aims to inspire Mach-21 Airmen
March 13, 2019 — The release of “Captain Marvel” in theaters around the globe March 8 aims to inspire the general population, but at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, an exclusive exhibit aims to inspire our future Mach-21 Airmen at the Gateway to the Air Force... MORE

A Captain Marvel exhibit was revealed at the Pfingston Reception Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Feb. 22. The exhibit was placed at JBSA-Lackland courtesy of Disney and Marvel Studios, and was revealed by Col. Jason Janaros, 37th Training Wing commander and Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, Air Force Recruiting Service commander.

U.S. Army Installation Management Command transitions to Army Materiel Command
March 13, 2019 — The U.S. Army Installation Management Command was formally acknowledged as a major subordinate command of Army Materiel Command during an assumption of authority ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston March 8... MORE

Gen. Gus Perna (left), commanding general of Army Materiel Command, assists in unfurling the AMC flag, along with IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa A. Judkins and Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, IMCOM commanding general. An assumption of authority ceremony was held March 8 at Joint Base Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to commemorate IMCOM becoming a major subordinate command of AMC.

‘Good Samaritan’ service member helps save life of woman involved in rollover accident
March 12, 2019 — A Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland service member is being called a Good Samaritan after helping to save the life of a mother who was trapped in her car after it rolled over into a ditch in late January... MORE

Staff Sgt. Tina Spencer (left), 717th Military Intelligence Battalion platoon sergeant at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, and Tre Pena (right), stand beside Tiffany Kieschnick-Rivas in her hospital bed. Kieschnick-Rivas was involved in a vehicle accident Jan. 30 in northwest San Antonio in which her car flipped over on its side in a drainage ditch. Spencer and Pena provided assistance to Kieschnick-Rivas at the accident scene before paramedics arrived, helping to save her life.

Secretary of the Air Force announces resignation
March 12, 2019 — Upon a favorable final vote by the regents, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced her resignation March 8, after serving in her position as the service’s top civilian since May 2017, to accept the role as president of the University of Texas at El Paso. Wilson will continue to serve as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force until May 2019... MORE

Upon a favorable final vote by the regents, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced her resignation March 8, after serving in her position as the service’s top civilian since May 2017, to accept the role as president of the University of Texas at El Paso. Wilson will continue to serve as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force until May 2019.

Military leaders pledge ‘Tenant Bill of Rights,’ other reforms to address substandard military housing
March 12, 2019 — The civilian and military leaders of the Air Force, Navy and Army attempted March 8 to convince skeptical senators that they are working aggressively – and effectively – to correct poorly maintained military housing that has left some homes coated in mold, infested with rodents and with other problems affecting health and safety... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson provides testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2019. The committee examined privatized military housing for service members and their families.