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DAF puts acquisition on wartime footing, implementing SECWAR's 'Warfighting Acquisition System'
January 9, 2026 — In direct support of the Secretary of War’s mandate to overhaul the defense acquisition system, the Department of the Air Force is aggressively implementing the new Warfighting Acquisition System. This generational overhaul places the entire acquisition enterprise on a wartime footing, transforming it from a compliance-based process to a dynamic, warfighter-focused model that prioritizes the speed of delivery for credible, combat-effective capabilities... MORE

BRAVE AI integrations to advance mental health care for Soldiers, families
January 9, 2026 — The next phase of the Defense Health Agency’s Behavioral Health Resources and Virtual Experience, or BRAVE, will use artificial intelligence to further eliminate barriers to mental health care for active duty Soldiers and their families... MORE

Make the most of your TRICARE pharmacy benefit in 2026
January 9, 2026 — The TRICARE Pharmacy Program helps you get the prescription drugs you need in a safe, easy, and affordable way. Express Scripts administers the TRICARE pharmacy benefit and offers tools to help you manage your prescriptions... MORE

Uniformed service member stores medications at pharmacy

Designing the future: A former AETC instructor pilot’s vision for the T-7A Red Hawk
January 9, 2026 — As the Air Force prepares to usher in a new era of pilot training, the appearance of its next-generation trainer aircraft reflects both where the service has been and where it is headed... MORE

A T-7A Red Hawk from the 416th Flight Test Squadron, F-35A from the Alabama Air National Guard and P-51D Mustang from the Palm Springs Air and Space Museum fly in formation over Edwards Air Force Base after the 2025 Red Tail Rendezvous event.

Human-machine teaming in battle management: A collaborative effort across borders
January 9, 2026 — The 2025 series of the Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming marked a significant step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into battle management operations... MORE

AETC to host official arrival ceremony for first T-7A Red Hawk at JBSA-Randolph
January 8, 2026 — Air Education and Training Command will host a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the T-7A Red Hawk trainer on Friday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. Central. The ceremony will be held in Hangar 41 on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph... MORE

The first T-7A Red Hawk sits parked on the South ramp runway December 5, 2025 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The T-7A is the Air Force's newest pilot training aircraft that will close the gap between basic pilot training and fifth generation warfare.

502d LRS Fuels Flight Powers Mission Readiness at JBSA
January 7, 2026 — Whether supporting routine flight operations or joint training missions, the 502d Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight keeps Joint Base San Antonio aviators airborne and equipment mission-ready, one gallon at a time... MORE

Rogelio Guerrero, 502d Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight quality assurance specialist, uses a pipette to apply a fuel sample during a fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII) test at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 6, 2026. Fuels personnel conduct lab-based evaluations to verify additive levels and ensure aviation fuel meets Air Force safety and performance standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan R. Mallard)

TRICARE-allowable charges and balance billing: What you need to know
January 7, 2026 — You may have heard the terms “allowable charge” and “balance billing.” But what do these terms mean when you have TRICARE? This article explains the different types of TRICARE-authorized providers and what they’re allowed to charge you... MORE

Man in orange shirt reads papers while he sits at a desk

Operational truth and technological vision: DARPA, 59th Medical Wing shape the future of warfighter care 
January 7, 2026 — The 59th Medical Wing and the San Antonio Military Health System recently hosted the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Biological Technologies Office for a two-day strategic offsite at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, bringing together the Air Force’s oldest medical wing and one of the Department of War’s most innovative research organizations... MORE

Personnel from the 59th Medical Wing and civilian observers examine in-flight medical equipment aboard a military aircraft during a demonstration at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas, on Jan. 6, 2026.

The Next Frontier: Space Force Medicine focuses on people and policy in 2026
January 7, 2026 — The U.S. Air Force Surgeon General’s Space Force Medical Operations Directorate is directing its focus in 2026 on its most vital component: the medical experts who support the Guardian warfighter... MORE

Air Force updates fitness test requirements
January 7, 2026 — Changes from the September 2025 announcement include a shortened physical fitness diagnostic testing period to end in June and the option for either the 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run every six months... MORE

Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician alum shares experiences with METC staff, students
January 6, 2026 — Retired Senior Master Sgt. Michael Currey, a former Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician, spent the afternoon answering questions and sharing stories about his experiences from decades ago with IDMT course instructors and students on Nov. 20, 2025, at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas... MORE

IDMT Alum Reminisces with Staff, Students

Space Force selects 49 Guardians for promotion in chief master sergeant, senior master sergeant cycles; lists post Jan. 8
January 5, 2026 — U.S. Space Force officials selected 12 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant in the 25E9 promotion cycle and 37 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant in the 26E8 promotion cycle... MORE

Army establishes new AI, machine learning career path for officers
January 5, 2026 — The U.S. Army has established a new career pathway for officers to specialize in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), formally designating the 49B AI/ML Officer as an official area of concentration. It advances the Army's ongoing transformation into a data-centric and AI-enabled force... MORE

Air Force selects 640 in the chief master sergeant promotion cycle; list posts Jan. 8
January 5, 2026 — Air Force officials selected 640 Air Force senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant out of 2,445 eligible for a selection rate of 26.18 percent in the 25E9 promotion cycle... MORE

Army expands program that transforms how Soldiers prepare for combat
January 5, 2026 — Warfighting is at the forefront of everything we do in the Army, and over the past five years, the culture of human performance has evolved to ensure that Soldiers are prepared to fight and win our nation’s wars... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio fire officials promote winter fire safety tips
January 5, 2026 — Winter months bring an increased risk of home fires due to heating equipment, holiday decorations, candles and power outages. To address these seasonal hazards, the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration are promoting the annual “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires” campaign, which focuses on prevention and awareness... MORE

Man works at his desk. Space heater is shown close up and plugged into an outlet. Coffee maker is on the floor plugged into an extension cord.

U.S. Army standardizes drill sergeant campaign hats
January 5, 2026 — Beginning in Calendar Year 2026, all volunteers will be greeted by the iconic campaign hat, as the U.S. Army has canceled all future procurement of the women's bush hat and authorized the campaign hat to be worn by all current, and future, drill sergeants... MORE

JBSA military trainees enjoy joint-service initiative Holiday Exodus
December 31, 2025 — Community organizations recently partnered with Joint Base San Antonio leadership to support Soldiers and Airmen traveling during holiday block leave, also known as Exodus, a joint-service initiative that allows trainees in initial entry training to travel to approved destinations during the holiday period... MORE

JBSA-Camp Bullis hosts Rehearsal of Concept for new medical Role 1 framework
December 31, 2025 — Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis hosted a mass casualty scenario as the culmination event for a Rehearsal of Concept testing and validating a Unit of Action’s Role 1 capability to return Airmen to action on Dec. 18, 2025... MORE