Joint Base San Antonio > News

ARNORTH adjusts COVID-19 operations as demand for federal military support decreases
September 23, 2020 — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, adjusted its COVID-19 operations, and as of Sept. 23, all of the approximately 740 federal military medical and support professionals from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force who deployed to Texas and California in July have returned to their home units... MORE

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force-7452, mobilized from San Diego, Calif., arrive in San Antonio, Texas, July 27, 2020. The UAMTF-7452 is supporting DHR Health in Edinburg, Texas as part of the Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency response to COVID-19.

Army North Caisson horses get visit from the farrier
September 23, 2020 — The Fort Sam Houston Caisson Platoon, one of two active duty caisson units in the U.S. Army, proudly honors fallen members of the military with funeral honors at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Regular care for the unit’s 18 horses falls to eight Soldiers, with advising from the Herd Manager and Horse Trainer, as well as weekly equine hoof care visits... MORE

Rodney "Skip" Burgess, a farrier, resets the shoe of U.S. Army North Caisson horse Munemori at the Fort Sam Houston Caisson stable at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Sept. 21.

School Liaison Program focus of latest 'The Air Force Starts Here' podcast
September 23, 2020 — A look at the Air Force's School Liaison Program is the focus of the latest episode of "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast, released Sept. 22, 2020... MORE

"The Air Force Starts Here" is Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast. The professional development podcasts are designed to help communicate and inform Total Force Airmen across the globe on relevant, timely topics related to the recruiting, training, education and development fields and can be listened to on the government network on the AETC website, or via mobile application as well as on Apple Podcasts (iTunes). For Android or Google mobile users, the podcast can be found on their favorite third-party podcast phone application. (U.S. Air Force graphic / 1st Lt. Robert Guest)

Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force airs at 5 p.m. Oct. 2
September 22, 2020 — Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, hosts the third episode of Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force at 5 p.m. Oct. 2 on AETC’s Facebook page... MORE

Suicide Prevention: BAMC Behavioral Health professionals are here to help
September 22, 2020 — Across the nation, there has been an increase in suicide deaths in the general population over the past decade. Suicides across the military have also increased, affecting every segment of the force – active, Guard and Reserve; officers and enlisted personnel... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center Behavioral Health professionals are here to assist service members and beneficiaries who seek help for their mental health and wellbeing. For more information, or help, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

New Army website offers latest resources to promote resilience, readiness
September 22, 2020 — The Army Resilience Directorate officially launched its new website Sept. 18 at ArmyResilience.army.mil. The robust website is the Directorate’s hub for Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, Ready and Resilient, Army Suicide Prevention, and the Army Substance Abuse Program, making it an all-inclusive site for information and resources on these programs... MORE

The Army Resilience Directorate officially launched its new website Sept. 18 at ArmyResilience.army.mil.

U.S., Colombian Army Bilateral Staff Talks essential to interoperability, stability in Western Hemisphere
September 22, 2020 — Since 2009, the staff talks have been instrumental in enhancing the interoperability and cooperation between the two armies, which have contributed to increased stability in the region. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, provides closing remark to Gen. Eduardo E. Zapateiro, Colombian National Army commanding general, during the conclusion of the 11th U.S. – Colombia Bilateral Army Staff Talks, which was held virtually from Sept. 14-18. The staff talks seeks to promote bilateral efforts in order to develop professional partnerships and increase interaction between partner nation armies over a five-year plan.

Commentary: Connect to protect
September 22, 2020 — September is Suicide Prevention Month. What can you do to help?... MORE

Graphic shows a road leading two directions - one to suicide the other to support.

COVID-19 amplifies importance of Trusted Care culture
September 21, 2020 — Preparing for the unexpected has long been an essential part of the military ethos. While you can never fully prepare for something like a global pandemic, the best alternative is having a culture in place that empowers your team to adapt and respond to heightened uncertainty. For Air Force Medicine, this is the Trusted Care culture... MORE

An Airman holds up his Trusted Care badge at the Defense Health Headquarters.

Special Warfare TACP training incorporates VR tools
September 21, 2020 — The Air Force Special Warfare Training Wing has incorporated virtual reality software to aid in Joint Terminal Attack Controller training for Tactical Air Control Party enlisted and officer candidates at Joint Base San Antonio... MORE

Tactical Air Control Party, or TACP, Airmen complete a field training exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas. The exercise included training on leadership, weapons systems, individual combat skills, land navigation, communications and patrolling.

Hero's Highway -- 13 years down the road
September 21, 2020 — “Protect and return home,” was the motto for retired U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Patronis while serving as the Patient Administration Division lead at the Air Force Theater Hospital, once located on Joint Base Balad, Iraq... MORE

Deadline to renew expired, expiring CACs drawing near
September 21, 2020 — Earnest Bridges, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military Personnel Division chief, advises all JBSA personnel whose Common Access Card, or CAC, has expired or will expire by Sept. 30 to make an appointment as soon as possible to renew their card... MORE

The deadline is quickly approaching for Joint Base San Antonio military members and civilians with expired or expiring common access cards.

Air Force Families Forever expanding services at JBSA
September 21, 2020 — Air Force Families Forever is a long-term assistance program that supports family members or next of kin of deceased Airmen, whether they are regular Air Force or Reserve component members, who have fallen or passed away while in combat or conducting non-combat related duties... MORE

Air Force Families Forever is expanding support and services to eligible family members and next of kin including spouses, parents, children, step-children and siblings.

Groundbreaking sets stage for new chapter at Randolph Elementary
September 18, 2020 — Following a construction project that is expected to be finished in time for the 2021-22 school year, Randolph Elementary School will have a new $15.5 million multipurpose facility that will include classrooms for grades 2-5, administrative offices, a library/media center and a cafeteria... MORE

502nd Air Base Wing Leadership along with Randolph Field Independent School District personnel and project managers stand together for a photo at the Randolph Elementary School ground breaking ceremony at Randolph Air Force Base, Sep 17, 2020.

340th FTG employee, veteran honored as September Hidden Hero
September 18, 2020 — Anthoney Smith, 340th Flying Training Group lead travel administrator and an Air Force veteran, was honored Sept. 15 by the Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Council as the September Hidden Hero during a ceremony and luncheon held at the Schertz Civic Center. ... MORE

39th FTS Cobra honored as August Hidden Hero
September 18, 2020 — Reserve Citizen Airman Maj. Christine Wagner, 39th Flying Training Squadron T-1A evaluator pilot and T-1A schoolhouse chief instructor pilot, was honored as the August 2020 Schertz Cibolo Selma Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council Hidden Hero during a ceremony held at the Schertz Civic Center Aug. 18. ... MORE

AFW2 offers live Facebook events Sept. 22-25
September 18, 2020 — The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program continues to provide virtual services to wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans as well as their caregivers and family members. The goal is to educate the audience on the programs offered while highlighting specific ways to increase resiliency and help in recovery... MORE

Graphic for the week of September 22-25 for AFW2 Live Facebook events. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Melissa Espinales)

JBSA support to evacuees at COVID-19 onset molded later responses
September 18, 2020 — “There were substantial lessons learned from the partnership and the operation that DHHS executed here at JBSA-Lackland that we were able to transition into our support posture for JBSA."... MORE

A Feb. 2, 2020 photo of empty lodging facilities at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) troops fighting wildfires in California
September 18, 2020 — In the midst of the California wildfires, there are over 200 U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) Soldiers supporting wildland fire ground response operations in the August complex, located in the densely forested northern part of the state... MORE

U.S. Army North Commanding General Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson speaks with Soldiers.

Community rolls up sleeves for EFMP blood drive
September 18, 2020 — The Joint Base San Antonio community rolled up its sleeves Sept. 16 in support of the JBSA Exceptional Family Member Program’s blood drive at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center... MORE