Joint Base San Antonio > News

Feedback Fridays
November 1, 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.

Five MEDCoE NCOs inducted into Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
October 31, 2019 — Five soldiers from the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston were inducted into the Sergeant Major of the Army Leon L. Autreve Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, or SMAVA SAMC, at a ceremony at the Fort Sam Houston Post Theater Oct. 30, 2019... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, U.S. Army North Command Sergeant Major (left) with the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductees (from left Staff Sgt. Jazmi I. Swingler, Staff Sgt. Brandy M. Ritch, Staff Sgt. Charles E. Mays Jr., Staff Sgt. Kacie M. Kennedy, Staff Sgt. Alexander H. Bach, and Sergeant Maj. James Musnicki, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Directorate of Training and Academic Affairs Sergeant Major.

What is the Combined Federal Campaign?
October 31, 2019 — If you've been in the military or worked for the government for a while, you've heard about the Combined Federal Campaign. Every year, unit representatives go to work in support of the CFC to help ensure its success. But what is the Combined Federal Campaign?... MORE

The CFC is a method for federal employees, military and civilian, to donate to qualifying charities. The Combined Federal Campaign is a 58-year Federal workplace giving tradition that has raised more than $8.3 billion for charitable organizations.

Retirees get special treatment at JBSA
October 31, 2019 — Joint Base San Antonio gave a segment of the community some special treatment during its annual Retiree Appreciation Day, hosted by Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 19... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Derrick Wells, executive officer, Department of Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center (right) hands out information brochures to patrons during Joint Base San Antonio’s Military Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 19, hosted by BAMC.

Remarriage affects a military retiree’s Survivor Benefit Plan coverage
October 31, 2019 — There are several options available to a retiree participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan with spouse or spouse and child coverage when the spouse is lost through death, divorce, or annulment, and the retiree later remarries... MORE

There are several options available to a retiree participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan with spouse or spouse and child coverage when the spouse is lost through death, divorce, or annulment, and the retiree later remarries.

59th Medical Wing integrates missions, strengthens operational medical readiness
October 31, 2019 — The 59th Medical Wing activated the 559th Medical Squadron in a redesignation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Oct. 30, after deactivating the 359th Medical Group... MORE

Air Force announces NCO Career Status Program for Airmen with 12 years of service
October 30, 2019 — The Air Force announced Oct. 30 it will implement the new Noncommissioned Officer Career Status Program for active duty Airmen, which will affect reenlistment contracts executed on or after Nov. 18... MORE

TRICARE copayments on prescription drugs going up
October 30, 2019 — On Jan. 1, some copayments for prescription drugs will increase for the military retiree family who get prescriptions through the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or at a retail network pharmacy. There’s still no cost to fill prescriptions at military pharmacies... MORE

Total Force Initiative creates 147th Operations Group, Det. 1, at 558th FTS
October 30, 2019 — A congressional mandate for increased total force integration authorized the 147th Attack Wing of the Texas Air National Guard to stand up a small Air Education and Training Command Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training, or URT, detachment... MORE

An instructor sits next to a student at a tabletop simulator to help guide him with proper procedures. This simulator is specifically to help train sensor operators. It has a keyboard and three levers.

Air Force transitions all U.S. military treatment facilities to DHA administration and management
October 30, 2019 — This October, U.S.-based Air Force military treatment facilities transferred administration and management to the Defense Health Agency. Congress directed this transfer in the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act... MORE

This October, U.S.-based Air Force military treatment facilities transferred administration and management to the Defense Health Agency. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

Navy Recruiting District San Antonio brings cheer to special child
October 30, 2019 — To bring some happiness to a local child, Sailors assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston visited the New Braunfels home of Isaac Juarez, 7, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer... MORE

Cmdr. Nicholas Gamiz, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio commanding officer, conducts a mock swear-in of Isaac Juarez during a visit by NRD SA Sailors at Isaac’s New Braunfels home Oct. 28. Isaac, 7, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, was presented with an Honorary Sailor Certificate, an America’s Navy ball cap, a Forged by The Sea t-shirt, a Navy Fiesta Medal, and a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. Army proposes innovative solution for historic housing
October 29, 2019 — The Department of the Army recently notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) of the Army's intent to request a "Program Comment for Army Inter-War Era Historic Housing (1919-1940)" in order to efficiently rehabilitate historic homes while preserving their historical integrity... MORE

The Department of the Army recently notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) of the Army's intent to request a "Program Comment for Army Inter-War Era Historic Housing (1919-1940)" in order to efficiently rehabilitate historic homes while preserving their historical integrity.

Cole High School cross country teams advance to UIL state meet
October 29, 2019 — The Roger G. Cole High School Cougars varsity girls' and boys' cross country teams used grit and persistence at the University Interscholastic League Region IV Championships Oct. 25, advancing to the UIL state meet Nov. 9 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas... MORE

The Roger G. Cole High School Cougars varsity girls' and boys' cross country teams used grit and persistence at the University Interscholastic League Region IV Championships Oct. 25, advancing to the UIL state meet Nov. 9 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas.

Reserve Citizen Airmen fly to Corpus Christi to welcome new pilot to the fold
October 29, 2019 — At about three feet tall, Alessandra "Ale" Alaniz might be the shortest pilot ever, but what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in charisma... MORE

Corpus Christi, Texas Driscoll Children's Hospital patient, and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Pilot for a Day Alessandra "Ale" Alaniz poses for a "hero" shot with her new Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, aviation teammates (left to right) Lt. Col. Doug Hayes, 96th Flying Training Squadron; Capt. Roland Kern, 86th Flying Training Squadron; Capt. Anthony Giebelhaus, 86th FTS, and Maj. Wade Dahlgren, 96th FTS. Ale is the 100th child selected for the NAS Corpus Christi program. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Air Force releases criteria for new Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
October 29, 2019 — The new medal, established by then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, is part of a continuing effort to recognize U.S. Air Force military members in a non-deployed status who directly participated in a Department of Defense combat operation from a remote location... MORE

Fort Sam Houston Elementary students help spread Red Ribbon Week message
October 28, 2019 — Students at Fort Sam Houston Elementary prepared for Red Ribbon Week at their school Oct. 28 and the school message on their marquee outside reads “Taking a Stand Against Bullies & Drugs.”... MORE

Pre-kindergarten and first-grade students kick off Red Ribbon Week wearing their red shirts while watching an animated video at the Fort Sam Houston Elementary Library Oct. 28.

ARNORTH evaluates ANG Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team
October 28, 2019 — Evaluators from U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston observed the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team Oct. 25, checking on its ability to identify nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological contaminants, advise on response measures... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Brandi Tipton decontaminates U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Foscue during the Pennsylvania National Guard's 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team evaluation exercise Oct. 24 at the Steam Town National Historic Park, Scranton, Pennsylvania. The team was evaluated by U.S. Army North on its ability to identify nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological contaminants, advise on response measures and assist with requests for support during notional training scenarios.

Vietnam POW recounts experiences to 149th Fighter Wing members
October 25, 2019 — Members of the 149th Fighter Wing heard from guest speaker retired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger about his experiences as a Vietnam prisoner of war Oct. 22... MORE

Members of the 149th Fighter Wing listen to retired Lt. Col. Barry Bridger speak about surviving six years as a prisoner of war during Vietnam. Bridger was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over a North Vietnamese city in January of 1967.

Army South hosts Colombian Sergeants Major
October 25, 2019 — Members of the Ejército Nacional de Colombia Sergeants Major Academy observe U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Combat Medic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis during PISAJ 12 Oct. 24. ... MORE

Members of the Ejército Nacional de Colombia Sergeants Major Academy observe U.S. Army Combat Medic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis during PISAJ 12 Oct. 24.

2019 TRICARE Open Season, Federal Benefits Open Season starts next month
October 25, 2019 — Did you know that the TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season happen only once a year?... MORE

TRICARE Open Season applies to anyone enrolled in or eligible for a TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select health plan. Federal Benefits Open Season is for enrollment in a Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program dental and vision plan. Both the TRICARE and FEDVIP open seasons will run from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9. The enrollment choices that you make during this period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.