Joint Base San Antonio > News > News - Year 2020

BAMC, WHASC chosen for COVID-19 vaccine trials
September 4, 2020 — As part of the Operation Warp Speed, or OWS, goal to deliver safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics by January 2021, five Department of Defense locations have been identified to participate in the Phase III trial evaluating the vaccine candidate AZD1222 under development by AstraZeneca. Two of the locations are in San Antonio. ... MORE

The San Antonio Military Health System is adjusting its COVID-19 drive-thru screening and testing hours of operation over Labor Day weekend.

Feedback Fridays
September 4, 2020 — If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available... MORE

If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.

Civilian employees encouraged to periodically review personnel folder
September 3, 2020 — The Air Force’s Personnel Center is recommending new and current employees of the federal government review their electronic official personnel folder, or eOPF, periodically... MORE

Ensuring the eOPF is correct and up to date is the employee’s responsibility. While there are no set timelines; employees records are typically updated for annual pay adjustments in January and appraisal pay-outs, e.g. cash award and time-off awards.

Air Force to survey members on interpersonal violence
September 3, 2020 — The Air Force will soon survey total force Airmen and Space Professionals about their experiences surrounding interpersonal violence... MORE

The Department of the Air Force launched a new crowdsourcing campaign to solicit ideas for dress and appearance improvements on the Air Force Ideation Platform, IdeaScale. Airmen and civilians are invited to submit ideas beginning Sept. 3.

Suicide Prevention Month: The importance of connectedness
September 3, 2020 — Strong connectedness — the level of closeness we feel to others — not only enhances our quality of life, it can also save lives. ... MORE

During September —Suicide Prevention Month — the Department of Defense is focusing on Connectedness, using the slogan Connect To Protect to highlight how social connections and a sense of belonging can be a protective factor against suicide.

Summit charts future of installation, mission support innovation
September 3, 2020 — The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center delivered an in-depth look into the Air Force innovation ecosystem during its inaugural Worldwide Innovation Summit Sept. 1-2... MORE

Army updates military leave policy
September 3, 2020 — A revision of the Army's policy covering leaves and passes is part of the largest update to Army military leave policy in more than a decade,... MORE

Spc. Dallas Ochoa, assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reunites with his daughter, Kaylynn, following a homecoming ceremony at William Bill Reed Special Event Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, Nov. 13, 2018.

DHA launches new 59th MDW/Wilford Hall website
September 3, 2020 — The Defense Health Agency launched 74 new military hospital and clinic Air Force websites Sept. 1, including one for the 59th Medical Wing/Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. Each website transitioned to the TRICARE domain to provide a standardized patient experience across the Military Health System... MORE

The transition to the TRICARE.mil domain incorporates new layouts and adds helpful features to enhance the user experience and provide easier access to information about the local military hospital or clinic and the TRICARE benefit in one place.

Air Force stands up first medical logistics master ordering facility at Port San Antonio
September 3, 2020 — The Air Force is working with civilian partners and sister services to ensure personal protective equipment and other pandemic-related supplies are delivered wherever they are needed, whether to military treatment facilities or civilian hospitals... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Brison King, non-commissioned officer in charge, Warehouse Operations, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, packs critical lab supplies at Port San Antonio, Texas, August 24, 2020.

Air Force seeks dress and appearance ideas through new crowdsourcing campaign
September 3, 2020 — The Department of the Air Force launched a new crowdsourcing campaign to solicit ideas for dress and appearance improvements on the Air Force Ideation Platform, IdeaScale. Airmen and civilians are invited to submit ideas beginning Sept. 3... MORE

433rd Airlift Wing remembers BRAVO-12 on 30-year anniversary
September 3, 2020 — The 433rd Airlift Wing held a remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony for the 30th anniversary of the BRAVO-12 aircrew at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 28... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Joe Perez, 26th Aerial Port Squadron ramp service supervisor, John P. Perez, and Col. Terry W. McClain, 433rd Airlift Wing commander, lay a wreath at the BRAVO-12 memorial Aug. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

SMA to Soldiers: Discussions on discrimination should not be ‘taboo’
September 3, 2020 — Staff Sgt. Coralina Lucas’ first encounter with discrimination came early in her Army career... MORE

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston invited four staff sergeants from across the Army to engage in a virtual discussion on race on Aug. 31, 2020. Clockwise from top left are Grinston; Staff Sgt. Akeem Williams U.S. Army Europe; Staff Sgt. Giselle Solis U.S. Eight Army; Staff Sgt. Coralina Lucas from Army Forces Command; and Staff Sgt. Erik Rostamo, Army Training and Doctrine Command.

AFSAT resumes Air Force international partner training
September 2, 2020 — The Air Force Security Assistance and Training Squadron, which conducts Air Force international partner training, resumed temporary duty travel of Mobile Training Teams and virtual operations after suspending in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic... MORE

An Airman assigned to the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, instructs a member of the Ecuadorian Air Force on aircraft maintenance operations July 28, 2020 in Latacunga, Ecuador, as part of the Air Force Security Assistance and Training Squadron international partner training. Air Force international partner training has resumed under AFSAT after it was briefly halted in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

12th Maintenance Squadron demos new tow technology
September 2, 2020 — The 12th Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph recently demonstrated the capabilities of a remotely controlled aircraft towing system, or RCATS, designed to make transporting aircraft more cost-efficient. The RCATS will reduce manpower requirements, allow close-quarter towing and quicker aircraft stowing ahead of inclement weather... MORE

Jaime Villarreal, 12th Maintenance Squadron crew chief, sits inside a T-38 aircraft during a practice transport Aug. 27 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The T-38 is being pulled by a remotely controlled aircraft towing system designed to make transporting aircraft more cost efficient.

Learn to manage risk during the extended Labor Day weekend
September 2, 2020 — Labor Day weekend typically marks the end of summer and it’s a time to take a well-deserved break to relax and recharge one last time before temperatures start falling. Unfortunately, this weekend has also historically been associated with increased mishaps... MORE

The long Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of summer and offers many Joint Base San Antonio service members, civilians and their families the final opportunity to take to the highways and byways for a summertime adventure.

Army South, Central American army partners enhance regional capabilities
September 2, 2020 — Key leaders from U.S. Army South and partner nation armies from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras took part in the Central America Working Group, or CENTAM, Working Group, held virtually Aug. 24-28... MORE

Personnel from the U.S. Army South Security Cooperation Division, listen in during the Central America Working Group virtual meeting held Aug. 24-28.

CSAF outlines strategic approach for Air Force success
September 2, 2020 — In his first major pronouncement as Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., declared Aug. 31 that the service must go fast, must collaborate more effectively with Congress and military, industry and allied partners, and “must accelerate the transition from the force we have to the force required for a future high-end fight.”... MORE

In his first major pronouncement as Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., declared Aug. 31 that the service must go fast, must collaborate more effectively with Congress and military, industry and allied partners, and “must accelerate the transition from the force we have to the force required for a future high-end fight.”

Boyd's rite of passage, history as greatest instrument of learning
September 2, 2020 — A respected researcher and writer of history, Gary W. Boyd, the command historian of Air Education and Training Command, has lived through several significant periods of history — all of which he believes has determined our present and shapes our future... MORE

Gary W. Boyd, Air Education and Training Command historian, reads through documents of the formation of Randolph Field July 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. A respected researcher and writer of history, Boyd has lived through several significant periods of history—all of which he believes has determined our present and shapes our future.

Election season do's and don'ts for DOD personnel
September 2, 2020 — It's election season again – that time when federal, state and local political campaigns kick into high gear... MORE

It's election season again – that time when federal, state and local political campaigns kick into high gear. Whether you're extremely involved in politics or you aren’t even registered to vote, the Defense Department has expectations for the way its military service members and civilian employees conduct themselves during this time.

USAISR physicians conduct research into improving tactical combat casualty care
September 2, 2020 — Two physicians at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are focused on improving tactical combat casualty care through research that finds the best resources and methods for treating and improving the survivability rate of wounded service members on the battlefield... MORE

Maj. (Dr.) Steven Schauer (center), U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research physician-scientist, and Maj. (Dr.) Ian Hudson (center right), USAISR Tactical Combat Casualty Care emergency physician, conducted studies on devices used for tactical combat casualty care with combat medics at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia July 8-9.