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836th Cyberspace Operations Squadron Airman turns hobby into life-saving enterprise
May 7, 2020 — As the COVID-19 pandemic caused personal protective equipment shortages across the healthcare industry, Staff Sgt. Austin Cooperrider, from the 836th Cyberspace Operations Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, did what seems like a simple thing … he pressed “PRINT.”... MORE

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused personal protective equipment shortages across the healthcare industry, Staff Sgt. Austin Cooperrider, from the 836th Cyberspace Operations Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, did what seems like a simple thing … he pressed “PRINT.”

BAMC healthcare workers deliver birthday cheer to cancer survivor
May 7, 2020 — A self-proclaimed extrovert, Mary McBride was feeling a bit discouraged by the long weeks of self-isolation due to COVID-19, especially on her 45th birthday last week... MORE

Mary McBride (left), and her mother, Debbie, are surprised by a drive-by parade organized by her Brooke Army Medical Center cancer care team in honor of McBride’s birthday and cancer-free year.

DOD aims to make moves easier with new contract for household goods
May 7, 2020 — A new contract to facilitate the movement of household goods, an integral part of any move to a new duty location, is expected to make things easier for both service members and their families... MORE

Household goods inspector Faata Leafa performs an inspection of a household goods packout performed by Aloha International. They all are practicing social distancing and wearing facemasks.

DOD to implement new laws for tobacco sales beginning in August
May 7, 2020 — In recognition of the long-term harm caused by early onset tobacco use, President Donald Trump signed legislation in December 2019 amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years... MORE

The Department of Defense is raising the minimum age for all tobacco sales to 21 years of age beginning Aug. 1. Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States.

DOD, Department of the Air Force take steps to protect military families moving during COVID-19
May 7, 2020 — Under the new standards, moving industry personnel must adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 health protection protocols while in the service member’s residence. That means moving personnel must wear face coverings, clean frequently touched surfaces and sanitize their hands often. They must also minimize the number of personnel at the member’s residence in order to meet social distancing requirements... MORE

Laughlin Airman writes 'Letters to Lackland'
May 7, 2020 — Airman 1st Class Cailey Brislin, 434th Squadron Aviation Resource Management at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, writes to Basic Military Training Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to offer support and words of wisdom... MORE

Airman First Class Cailey Brislin, 434th Squadron Aviation Resource Management (SARM) at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, says she began the Letters to Lackland project when she realized she could make an impact on a trainee who may be feeling lonely--especially in this new climate of physical distancing. She believes getting the opportunity to write words of wisdom has great impacts on Airmen during one of the most formative and vulnerable parts of their Air Force career. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Rachael Parks)

Commentary: Parenting during COVID-19
May 7, 2020 — All of the training I have received could never have prepared me for, or empowered me to predict, how my work-life balance would be flipped upside down over the past several weeks. ... MORE

Akira Arzu-Davis, plays a game on a nintendo switch while her father, Airman1st Class Cory J. Davis, a photojournalist assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office, teleworks from home at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., April 29, 2020. Families are encouraged to practice physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to practice physical distancing is by staying indoors.

Nurse and Tech Week: Heroes among us
May 7, 2020 — Air Force nurses and medical technicians are answering our nation’s call, and now more than ever, during this pandemic, we know they are heroes one and all... MORE

Air Force nurses and medical technicians are answering our nation’s call, and now more than ever, during this pandemic, we know they are heroes one and all.

Army creates additional support requirement when married couples separate
May 7, 2020 — The topic of separation or divorce isn’t an easy one, but it is important to be educated on the Army’s financial support requirements when a couple considers going down that path. The bottom line is that the Army requires Soldiers to provide financial support to family members. ... MORE

USAISR on frontlines of COVID-19 fight
May 7, 2020 — With all the ongoing changes, the staff at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has also made modifications in how it conducts day-to-day business while maintaining its overall research mission of “optimizing combat casualty care” and, further, providing the best quality care to patients at the only U.S. Department of Defense Burn Center... MORE

Capt. Farley Raquel and Sgt. Rebecca Hummer do a system check on ventilators in the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research “Victory” Intensive Care Unit at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month - My Little GSXR
May 6, 2020 — I had just gotten off work and my buddy and I were leaving post. There was just a little more than 1,000 miles on my new bike, a Suzuki GSXR, and I was loving it. I’d been riding for more than eight years but had been without a bike for about a year. Man, I missed riding... MORE

Air Force Assistance Fund campaign still underway
May 6, 2020 — The AF Assistance Fund Campaign began a few weeks ago, and since then, our Air Force Charities have responded to the effects this virus is having on our Air Force family in an all-out attempt to support their fellow Airmen and their families in any way possible... MORE

The AF Assistance Fund Campaign began a few weeks ago, and since then, our Air Force Charities have responded to the effects this virus is having on our Air Force family in an all-out attempt to support their fellow Airmen and their families in any way possible.

Some commissaries place shopping limits on fresh beef, poultry, pork
May 6, 2020 — Commissaries in the continental United States, along with Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, have placed shopping limits on fresh beef, poultry and pork effective May 1. The Defense Commissary Agency, or DeCA, is implementing these shopping limits in response to anticipated shortages in the supply chain impacted by the closures of various U.S. beef/pork/poultry processing plants, said retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, Department of Defense special assistant for commissary operations. ... MORE

Commissaries in the continental United States, along with Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, have placed shopping limits on fresh beef, poultry and pork effective May 1.

Commentary: Grief and loss during COVID-19
May 6, 2020 — After national and worldwide tragedies related to COVID-19, the world faces a new challenge which they have never before – finding ways to mourn loved ones who passed while practicing social distancing and travel restrictions... MORE

Co-workers and peers are in the best position to identify when someone is struggling. Having the courage to reach out to another Airman who is having a difficult time is the first and most critical step toward suicide prevention.

Redefining 'normal' mental health care still means delivering quality patient care
May 5, 2020 — Mental Health Technicians (4Cs) in Air Education and Training Command are redefining what “normal” is during the COVID-19 pandemic, while still delivering quality patient care in various different methods and providing Disaster Mental Health services when requested. ... MORE

NMFSC honors Navy Medicine Civilian Corps birthday
May 5, 2020 — Dr. Rick Dickinson, the Naval Medical Forces Support Command, or NMFSC, chief of staff honored the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps third birthday in a teleconference message April 30... MORE

Dr. Rick Dickinson, the Naval Medical Forces Support Command, or NMFSC, chief of staff honored the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps third birthday in a teleconference message April 30.

#RiseUp Mental Health, Resiliency at JBSA
May 4, 2020 — Members of the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Mental Health Clinic and 737th Training Group Military Training Consult Service mental health team spent My 4 motivating others with words of encouragement for base personnel and community members as part of a mental health and resiliency effort during the COVID-19 pandemic at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

Soldier-athletes help the force and their families stay fit during COVID-19
May 4, 2020 — U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation has teamed up with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program to help the force and their families stay fit through social media during isolation due to COVID-19... MORE

U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation has teamed up with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program to help the force and their families stay fit through social media during isolation due to COVID-19. To find workout videos and healthy recipes, visit @FamilyMWR or @USArmyWCAP on Facebook or Instagram.

12th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron keeps Texans flying
May 4, 2020 — Aircraft maintainers from the 12th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron service a T-6 Texan aircraft from the 559th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph April 7... MORE

Larry Padilla, 12th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, inspects the oil level reading of a T-6 Texan aircraft with Greg Garcia, 12th AMXS, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph April 7.

U.S. must prepare for current, future pandemics
May 4, 2020 — As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the United States must bolster its medical-industrial base to deal with both the current pandemic, a potential resurgence in the fall and any pandemics that may come in the future, the Defense Department's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment said... MORE