SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Air Force will activate the Special Warfare Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced Thursday.
"San Antonio was one of eight locations competing for this crucial mission, and the selection of JBSA is a huge vote of confidence for Military City, USA," Nirenberg said.
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The new cutting-edge military mission will bring 135 new jobs to the Alamo City.
"San Antonio is known as Military City, USA for good reason," City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. "The military is the number one employer in the region, and Joint Base San Antonio has a significant impact on the local economy with more than 180,000 military and civilian employees."
Special warfare airmen are the critical ground link between air assets and ground forces, military officials said.
"This new wing will help us provide additional oversight and advocacy for the complex, high-risk and demanding training that's necessary to produce airmen to meet the requirements of the joint force," said Col. James Hughes, Special Warfare Training Wing commander.
The unit's mission will be to select, train and equip a new generation of Air Force warriors to conduct operations worldwide in combat and other environments. It will also focus on increasing retention rates and improving training through the Human Performance Support Group.