Joint Base San Antonio > News > News - Year 2020

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

Military dentists provide information, free exams to local students
March 16, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston dentists did their part to promote oral health by providing free dental exams to Fort Sam Houston Elementary students Feb. 25... MORE

DOD officials explain new COVID-19 domestic travel restrictions
March 16, 2020 — Defense officials announced restrictions on domestic travel for service members, Department of Defense employees and family members in response to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19... MORE

CID encourages vigilance to prevent COVID-19 cyber scams
March 16, 2020 — The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command warns the military community that some phishing campaigns prey on would-be victims’ fear, while others capitalize on the opportunity created by hot topics in the news cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic presents cybercriminals with a way to combine both into a dangerous one-two punch... MORE

Wilford Hall implements temporary entry/exit point procedures
March 15, 2020 — Beginning March 16, 2020, leaders at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will begin implementing three entry and exit control points to ensure the continued health and safety of staff, volunteers and beneficiaries... MORE

Statement by the Department of Defense on Domestic Travel Restrictions
March 15, 2020 — New travel restrictions for service members, Department of Defense civilians, and their families assigned to DOD installations, facilities and surrounding areas within the United States and its territories... MORE

SAMHS takes precautionary measures to minimize COVID-19 risk
March 15, 2020 — As a precautionary measure, the San Antonio Military Health System, or SAMHS, will be placing triage tents outside of Brooke Army Medical Center, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Randolph Clinic and Reid Clinic to safely screen patients, if needed, for potential infectious respiratory conditions, such as COVID-19, while minimizing the risk to others... MORE

Air Force suspends all international military student travel to the U.S.
March 15, 2020 — Air Education and Training Command officials announced all travel for international military students scheduled to begin Air Force-sponsored training in the United States has been suspended effective March 13, 2020... MORE