Joint Base San Antonio > News

Secretary of Defense orders military stand down to address challenge of extremism in the ranks
February 4, 2021 — A Department of Defense-wide stand down will occur over the next 60 days so that each service, command and unit can take the time to have needed discussions about extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Feb. 3... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered a DOD-wide stand down to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Feb. 3.

433rd Airlift Wing recognizes 2020 annual award winners
February 3, 2021 — Following a year of unprecedented events, the 433rd Airlift Wing continued a new trend of modified operations by announcing the 2020 wing annual award winners during a recognition ceremony 30 at the wing auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Jan. 30... MORE

Col. Terry W. McClain, 433rd Airlift Wing commander, speaks at the wing’s annual award winner recognition ceremony Jan. 30, 2021 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The ceremony was livestreamed using multiple platforms to allow a remote audience facilitating social distancing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany K. Wich)

JBSA flips switch on for new Smartflower solar energy devices
February 3, 2021 — Joint Base San Antonio flipped the switch on for two new flower-shaped solar power devices Feb. 1, furthering the joint base's efforts in energy conservation and eco-friendly initiatives... MORE

Members of the 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron and CPS Energy demonstrated the new SmartFlower solar energy device at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Feb. 1.

Mentorship in the Air Force develops the Force
February 3, 2021 — Mentorship is a professional relationship in which a person with greater experience and wisdom guides another person through development, both personally and professionally. The overall goal of mentoring is for a mentee’s potential to be maximized... MORE

Local Army ROTC cadets support San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game
February 3, 2021 — Army ROTC cadets spoke with parents, youths and community partners about ROTC opportunities and their leadership experience within the ROTC program... MORE

Prior to the kickoff of the San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game, cadets from The University of Texas at San Antonio Army ROTC 5th Brigade, U.S. Army Cadet Command, teamed up with the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion San Antonio to speak with spectators as they entered Heroes Stadium in San Antonio Jan. 30.

JBSA Security Forces install base access kiosks to enhance social distancing efforts
February 3, 2021 — On a combined average across JBSA, the Visitor Control Centers process 21,640 customers per month, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, the 502nd Security Forces Group has installed new kiosks that will further reduce the health risks during customer check-in when requesting base access. ... MORE

An example of the new kiosks at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Luke East Visitor Control Center. The intent of the kiosk and new pager system is to minimize the number of customers in the VCCs and to allow customers to wait outside in the comfort of their vehicles until they are called to be serviced by receiving a message on their cell phone or being notified on the pager device.

Four Chaplains Day Remembrance 2021: To care for Airmen more than anyone thinks possible
February 3, 2021 — Four Chaplains – U.S. Army chaplains, Lt. George Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Alexander Goode, a Jewish rabbi; Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister – gave their lives as their final act reinforcing today’s vision of the Air Force Chaplains Corps: “To care for Airmen more than anyone thinks possible.”... MORE

Shown are the official photos of the U.S. Army chaplains, Lt. George Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Alexander Goode, a Jewish rabbi; Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister. All four perished with the sinking of the SS Dorchester (SC-290583) after being struck by a German torpedo, Feb. 3, 1943. In 1988, Congress honored them by establishing Feb. 3 as Four Chaplains Day. (Courtesy photo)

DOD experts explain science behind COVID-19 vaccines
February 2, 2021 — Almost six weeks after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for the first two COVID-19 vaccines, many questions have arisen concerning their efficacy in attacking the SARS-CoV-2 virus and deadly COVID-19 disease. To better understand how COVID-19 vaccines work, MHS Communications spoke to two medical experts who have been intimately involved in the Department of Defense’s effort to develop and roll out vaccines for Americans... MORE

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Community Pharmacy relocates to new Exchange
February 2, 2021 — The Fort Sam Houston Community Pharmacy has moved into the new Army and Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) located at 2500 Funston Road at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the contact number remains the same at 210-295-9965... MORE

Army Spc. John Petersen, pharmacy technician, hands a prescription to a beneficiary at the Community Pharmacy in the Exchange at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Feb. 1. On average, new prescriptions take about 30 minutes to fill. For prescription refills customers generally wait about 2 minutes for pick up.

Air Force announces Airmen leadership qualities
February 2, 2021 — The Airman leadership qualities are expected to form the basis for the future officer and enlisted performance reporting systems. The alignment between evaluating units and evaluating Airmen is intended to further emphasize and accelerate an understanding and adoption of the associated leadership qualities... MORE

Just scrolling through: Army urges responsible social media usage
February 2, 2021 — Since the beginning of the pandemic, social gatherings have become limited and restricted, and social media usage has correspondingly increased exponentially. The U.S. Army encourages its Soldiers to practice a three-step method when engaging online: think, type, post... MORE

The U.S. Army encourages its Soldiers to practice a three-step method when engaging online: think, type, post.

IPPS-A update to support Army active duty, Reserve personnel by December
February 2, 2021 — In anticipation of an Army-wide release of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, program officials requested Friday that all active duty and Reserve Soldiers verify their military and pay records before the service goes live in December... MORE

IPPS-A update to support active-duty, Reserve personnel by December

Air Force Reserve, Guard ready to take force-shaping troops
February 2, 2021 — The Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard should benefit from active-duty Air Force force-shaping actions made necessary by record Air Force retention levels. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Christopher Resio, an Air Force Reserve in-service recruiter at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is one of many Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard recruiters ready to help active-duty Airmen continue serving in the Air Force as force-shaping actions were made necessary by record Air Force retention levels in 2020

Total Force Airmen can now self-report joint experience in MyVector
February 2, 2021 — Total Force officer, enlisted and civilian personnel now have the ability to input their joint experiences within the MyVector platform, allowing members to, more effectively, report joint experiences when being selected for future development and assignments by commanders... MORE

Total Force officer, enlisted and civilian personnel now have the ability to input their joint experiences within the MyVector platform, allowing members to, more effectively, report joint experiences when being selected for future development and assignments by commanders.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma; how to save a life today
February 2, 2021 — The Department of Defense Blood Donation Centers are looking for volunteers to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma. ... MORE

Fighting through COVID: 502nd OSS Airman perseveres through pandemic
February 1, 2021 — The coronavirus pandemic has affected every aspect of human life, including military operations at Joint Base San Antonio. Service members continue to do a stellar job even while making significant adjustments to their daily routines. Tech. Sgt. Tammy Valles is one such Airman. ... MORE

The coronavirus pandemic has affected every aspect of human life, including military operations at Joint Base San Antonio.

USAISR Burn Center raises awareness for National Burn Awareness Week
January 29, 2021 — The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is joining the American Burn Association in raising awareness and prevention of electrical burn injuries during National Burn Awareness Week Feb. 7-13... MORE

National Burn Awareness Week is observed annually the first full week of February by the American Burn Association, or ABA, providing an opportunity for organizations and burn, fire and life safety educators to share a common message of burn awareness and prevention in communities across the U.S.

Civilian Challenge pilot program designed to kick-start wellness journey
January 29, 2021 — In an effort to enhance wellness opportunities for Department of Defense civilian employees on Joint Base San Antonio, the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Army Wellness Center is now offering a motivational Civilian Challenge to a small group of U.S. Army North civil service personnel as part of a pilot test... MORE

The Army Wellness Center Civilian Challenge, or AWC3, is designed to help walk the DOD civilian workforce through a 12-week wellness journey by focusing on activity, nutrition, mindfulness, and sleep.

Feedback Fridays
January 29, 2021 — 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

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.

Air Force Wounded Warrior Program hosts first-ever Virtual Open House
January 28, 2021 — The Air Force Wounded Warrior, or AFW2, Program hosted its first-ever Virtual Open House to kick off the New Year. During this two-day event, attendees learned about all of the programs within AFW2 that are available for Warriors, caregivers and their families. ... MORE

The Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program hosted its first ever Virtual Open House. During this two-day event, attendees learned about all of the programs within AFW2 that are available for Warriors, Caregivers and their families.