Joint Base San Antonio > News > News - Year 2020

BAMC implements COVID-19 drive-thru screening
March 20, 2020 — Brooke Army Medical Center implemented a COVID-19 drive-thru screening process March 17 to help identify people with COVID-19 indicators before they enter the hospital, reducing the health risk to our beneficiaries, visitors, staff and family members... MORE

IAAFA hosts second-ever Professional Development Seminar with Peruvian Military in Peru
March 20, 2020 — The goal for this Professional Military Education seminar was to create an opportunity to increase collaboration, share experiences and lessons learned and showcase the importance of leadership training for officers and enlisted military members at all levels to enhance interoperability and mission success... MORE

The Inter-American Air Force’s Academy hosted this second-ever Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Seminar and Subject Matter Expert Exchange with members of the Peruvian Army, Air Force, and Navy, in Lima, Peru, March 9-12.
The goal for this PME seminar was to create an opportunity to increase collaboration, share experiences and lessons learned and showcase the importance of leadership training for officers and enlisted military members at all levels to enhance interoperability and mission success.

AFRS Operation Blue Suit recognizes Reserve and Guard Airmen
March 20, 2020 — For the first time since the inception of the Air Force Recruiting Service Operation Blue Suit award, AFRS is recognizing its Total Force partners by honoring an Air Force Reservist and Air National Guardsman... MORE

Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavit, Air Force Recrruiting Service commander, talks to a group of recruiters as she congratulates the 2020 Operation Blue Suit winners.

59th MDW adjusts services, offers options to continue care
March 20, 2020 — The 59th Medical Wing is making several precautionary adjustments to services to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care... MORE

Defense health officials detail COVID-19 aid effort
March 20, 2020 — Senior Department of Defense health officials detailed what the department is doing to support the whole-of-government assault on the coronavirus pandemic... MORE

New allowances for Soldiers, families affected by COVID-19
March 20, 2020 — The Army has rolled out new allowances for Soldiers and families facing official travel delays or in quarantine amid the COVID-19 virus outbreak... MORE

April is Military Child and National Child Abuse Prevention Month
March 20, 2020 — April is the Month of the Military Child and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It represents an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices made by military families, especially children worldwide, while also renewing the commitment to ensuring all children have the opportunity to grow and prosper in an environment that is free from abuse and neglect, an environment that fosters and bolsters their social and emotional well-being... MORE

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

WHASC opens drive-thru screening, testing
March 20, 2020 — The 59th Medical Wing has implemented a COVID-19 drive-thru screening process at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to help identify people with COVID-19 indicators before they enter the hospital, reducing the health risk to our beneficiaries, visitors, staff and family members. ... MORE

Cones are lined up March 19, 2020 in preparation for the opening of a drive-through screening and testing line beginning March 20, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The line will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms prior to entering Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

COVID-19: Exploit what you can control
March 19, 2020 — "Can't," "don't," "contain" and "restrict" are negative words present everywhere in the news, the media and conversation. The threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus will undoubtedly remain a challenge for everyone for months to come. Significant abrupt restrictions and closures are making many within our communities feel very controlled and unhappy... MORE

Air Force Youth Programs releases applications for summer Space Camp and Aviation Camp
March 19, 2020 — Applications are now available for the Air Force Youth Programs’ residential aviation camp and residential space camp, offered to Department of Defense dependents with valid identification. Applications are due April 6. ... MORE

Flyer for Air Force Teen Aviation and Space Camp

Goldfein emphasizes protecting force from COVID-19 while fulfilling all missions, operational priorities
March 19, 2020 — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said March 18 there have been seven confirmed cases of the new coronavirus to date among active-duty personnel, but that the Air Force is “still conducting global missions … which is priority one.” ... MORE

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein conducts a press briefing with the Pentagon Press Corps to address Air Force response efforts for COVID-19 at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., March 18, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark)

Social distancing gives health care systems time to prepare, save lives
March 19, 2020 — Social media is flooded with stories from around the world about the lack of health care resources due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. One way to help alleviate the strain on healthcare facilities and professionals is to slow the spread of the disease, or flatten the curve... MORE

San Antonio Military Health System adjusts services, offers options to continue care
March 19, 2020 — The San Antonio Military Health System is making several precautionary adjustments to services to help mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care... MORE

BAMC closes dining facilities, adjusts pharmacy operations
March 19, 2020 — Brooke Army Medical Center is implementing additional health protection measures to minimize foot traffic throughout the organization and help to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, enabling BAMC to better preserve the health and well-being of patients and staff... MORE

DOD poised to provide masks, ventilators, labs for coronavirus fight
March 18, 2020 — The Defense Department will make available up to 5 million respirator masks and other personal protective equipment from its strategic reserves to the Department of Health and Human Services for distribution, DOD Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said during a news conference at the Pentagon March 18, adding that the first million masks would be made available immediately... MORE

Latest Air Force trainees continue BMT with enhanced mitigation efforts
March 18, 2020 — For the 668 projected new U.S. Air Force recruits arriving here this week, basic military training is beginning with a 14-day restriction of movement, or ROM, as the service actively conducts mitigation procedures to slow down the spread of COVID-19... MORE

AETC issues official COVID-19 mission essential training determination, authorizes travel
March 18, 2020 — Air Education and Training Command released a formal memorandum March 18, 2020, outlining the command's mission essential training determination during the coronavirus outbreak, officially authorizing travel for recruits and Airmen to attend basic military training, technical training and flying training... MORE

Air Force BMT, technical and flying training mission essential, to continue with mitigation
March 17, 2020 — The Department of Defense response to the coronavirus outbreak continues to be dynamic and policy may quickly change, but as of March 17, U.S. Air Force's basic military training, technical training and flying training operations have been deemed mission essential and will continue with mitigation for COVID-19, Air Education and Training Command announced... MORE

AETC COVID-19 high-risk workforce encouraged to telework
March 17, 2020 — Air Education and Training Command leaders are encouraging high-risk COVID-19 employees to work with their supervisors to begin teleworking... MORE

Air Education and Training Command graphic for press releases. AETC posts press releases for timely news of potentially wide interest. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by SSgt. Charles Pons)

AFIMSC cancels 2020 I-WEPTAC
March 16, 2020 — The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has canceled its 2020 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference due to travel restrictions and health risk mitigation strategies associated with the global coronavirus pandemic... MORE

AFIMSC Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference 2020 graphic