JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO

It’s an early morning start at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Hundreds of families and friends gather from across the country to see their loved ones graduate from the United States Air Force basic military training.

Residents took to social media to voice their frustration.

The wildfire at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis was 95% contained as of Thursday night, officials said.

Are you hearing a loud sound hovering over your home in the middle of the night?

The weekend wildfire at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis is now 70% contained. But while that’s a relief, nearby neighbors of the military installation are not happy with the way the military helped them stay informed.

The fire at Camp Bullis in northern Bexar County was 70% contained Monday afternoon after an estimated 3,000 acres were burned.

A massive brush fire at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis has burned 3,000 acres since it sparked on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities.

Officials from Joint Base San Antonio don't believe that further evacuations will be necessary.

A massive brush fire at JBSA-Camp Bullis is tearing through 2,803 acres of land as fire crews continue to fight the flames.

Multiple fire departments are on scene working to contain the wildfire, which was 40% contained as of Sunday morning.

A massive brush fire in the demolition range area on JBSA-Camp Bullis is now at 50% containment, spanning 2,800 acres, according to Joint Base San Antonio fire officials.

Wearing a mask to protect from COVID-19 is now optional and no longer mandated indoors at Joint Base San Antonio facilities, officials announced Thursday as part of implementation of Health Protection Condition Bravo.

Actor Channing Tatum paid a visit to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland last week to promote one of his upcoming films and learn about military working dogs.

The Live Oak City Council threw $25,000 of its hotel-motel occupancy tax dollars into a...

More than 1,700 acres of brush is scheduled to be burned at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis from Jan. 18-26.

The new rule starts Monday.

This year, a modified version of Operation Home Cooking returned with fewer host families and trainees. Participants said they felt right at home with the host families who opened their doors for them.

Residents of the Liberty Barracks at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston will be relocated after staff discovered legionella bacteria during water testing.

For the second year in a row, the “Mission Thanksgiving” event for Joint Base San Antonio and Fort Sam Houston is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

A gate at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and a portion of West Military Drive are closed Monday due to a security incident.

To commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Joint Base San Antonio hosted simultaneous events at its installations at 7:46 a.m. on Friday.

Joint Base San Antonio is not among the four military installations around the country that will be temporarily housing an estimated 25,000 Afghan refugees, according to a senior Biden administration official.

The new policy is effective immediately.

As coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in Bexar County, Joint Base San Antonio is now requiring masks to be worn at all of its indoor federal facilities, regardless of vaccination status.

Regardless of background, parents letting go of their offspring is an emotional...

A service member who died while stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has been identified.

A service member stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston died Thursday.

Twenty privately owned horses were evacuated from the stables inside Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland due to massive flooding on Tuesday.

San Antonio International partnered with the TSA to bring passenger screening canines to work at the airport.

A Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston U.S. Army Soldier was found dead late Friday night on base, according to JBSA officials.

The Air Force Civilian Service is looking to fill 86 positions across the San Antonio area.

Although it’s still unclear if gunshots were actually fired outside of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland earlier this week, officials said as of Friday, the investigation is closed.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

An Air Force base in San Antonio was placed on lockdown for about an hour after military officials said gunfire was reported near a gate to the base.

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland lifted a lockdown Wednesday afternoon after two gunshots were reported.

New protocols will go into effect starting with the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation at JBSA-Lackland scheduled for July 22.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was found dead early Saturday morning, military officials said.

San Antonio will soon house thousands of migrant children at two sites. According to Benjamin Wermund from the San Antonio Express-News' Washington Bureau, the White House said Thursday the temporary shelters for the migrant children will be at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and Freeman Coliseum. The announcement comes after the Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Wednesday to temporarily house unaccompanied migrant children at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and other facilities in Texas. Wermund reports officials plan on moving the children from crowded U.S. Customs and Border Protection sites, such as one in Donna, near McAllen. HHS will maintain custody and responsibility for the well-being and support for these children at all times on the installation, according to a release from the Department of Defense.

SAN ANTONIO – The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland would be used to house unaccompanied migrant children. In a statement, John Kirby, the Pentagon’s press secretary, confirmed that the Department of Defense approved the request for JBSA-Lackland to be used. On Tuesday, Kirby hinted at the possibility of JBSA-Lackland and Fort Bliss being used in that capacity. “DoD will provide HHS officials access to these locations immediately to begin initial actions to prepare for receiving unaccompanied migrant children as soon as preparations are complete,” Kirby said. Also on KSAT:JBSA-Lackland asked to house unaccompanied migrant minors, Pentagon saysAdFreeman Coliseum may house migrant children if agreement is reached with federal government, Bexar County judge saysBiden taps VP Harris to lead response to border challenges

SAN ANTONIO – Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland may house migrant minors who are unaccompanied at the U.S.-Mexico border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has asked the Pentagon for the request, which the Department of Defense is reviewing, Kirby said. “What I can tell you is we have a request and those are the two sites that HHS just asked for support from,” Kirby said. Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding answers to the humanitarian situation at the border. The governor also demanded that the Biden Administration make clear what they are doing to prosecute human traffickers and address the surge in border crossings.

SAN ANTONIO – Wednesday marks one year since a San Antonio couple was allowed to return home after a period of quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The order to stay on the military base came after the couple and other U.S. citizens were pulled from a cruise ship where some passengers tested positive for COVID-19. The couple was told to stay inside their cabin on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship as it sat off Japan’s coast. Some of those passengers, including Don and Natty, were able to board a plane back to the United States. Don remembers when he was finally able to go back to his home in San Antonio.

(U.S. Army photo by Corey Toye)SAN ANTONIO – The Brooke Army Medical Center will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to all TRICARE beneficiaries, ages 65 or older, next week by appointment only. BAMC announced the vaccine appointments on Saturday afternoon, and officials say they were able to open up appointments for beneficiaries ages 75 and older earlier this week. They were also able to increase capacity to allow more vaccine appointments at the Fort Sam Houston site. To obtain DS Logon credentials, click “Register.” To make an appointment, click “Appointments” on the portal home page. AdRelated: South Texas VA to host COVID-19 vaccine event for hundreds of veterans living on San Antonio’s South Side

MoMo Productions/Getty ImagesThose on Joint Base San Antonio will be required to wear a mask while on indoor and outdoor shared spaces. The change is effective immediately. According to press release on JBSA's website, "shared spaces include but are not limited to inside and outside of all facilities, except a person's own residence." Other areas where masks will be worn include fitness centers, except while swimming or using the showers. READ ALSO: Texas leaders send condolences to family after representative's passing

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This story is a look back at some of the biggest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Air Force via AP, File)One of the evacuees later became the first official COVID-19 patient in San Antonio and Texas. The first San Antonio infection increased the nation’s COVID-19 case count to 15, but no deaths were reported at the time. All were eventually medically cleared and on March 25, the last of the evacuees left San Antonio. AdThis Feb. 2, 2020, photo provided by the Department of Defense shows empty lodging facilities at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

More than 30 defenders with the 433rd Security Forces Squadron, 433rd Airlift Wing, returned to JBSA-Lackland on Sunday from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. These Reserve Citizen Airmen were mobilized to support ongoing United States Central Command operations, according to a news release. The 433rd Security Forces Squadron “trains unit members to meet wartime mission requirements while providing support assistance to its active duty counterparts,” as stated in a news release. The squadron also deploys security forces personnel, who provide Air Base defense, physical security, law enforcement and resource protection missions in any climate or location, officials say. : Military nonprofit helps soldiers, veterans turn stories into songs

A 59th Medical Wing Pediatric Critical Care Air Transport Team provides care to a five-month-old patient on board a C-17 Globemaster III headed to California, Oct. 9, 2020. In an effort to preserve staffing and resources in the midst of the pandemic, the Brooke Army Medical Center has announced it will transfer new pediatric patients needing inpatient care to local children’s hospitals at this time. Pediatric patients will still be evaluated and treated in the BAMC Emergency Department. “We have coordinated with all of the major health systems in town to ensure a smooth transfer and continuity of care for our pediatric patients needing inpatient services,” Osborn said. RELATED: Brooke Army Medical Center takes in trauma patients to help free up beds at other SA hospitals

San Antonio police are investigating the death of an Army drill sergeant found shot in a stalled vehicle on New Year's Day. Staff Sergeant Jessica Mitchell, assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. Friday. On Friday, police spokesperson Lt. Jesse Salame told the Express-News it was too early to know a motive. People with information about Mitchell's death are asked to call SAPD's Homicide Unit at 210-207-7635. "We are focused on supporting Drill Sergeant Mitchell’s family as well as her soldiers during this extremely difficult time."

Jerry Lara /Staff file photoThe skeletal remains found at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston have been identified as Juan Santiago, according to a news release from the military base. Santiago had been missing since June and is not affiliated with the military, the release said. The skeletal remains were found on Dec. 27 near Salado Creek in the northeast part of the instillation. The news release did not say how old Santiago was.

SAN ANTONIO – A drill sergeant assigned to the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the JBSA. Sergeant Jessica Mitchell, a 68E Dental Specialist, was pronounced dead at University Hospital San Antonio at around 3 a.m. on Friday, according to the JBSA. San Antonio Police Department and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division are still investigating the situation. “We are devastated by the tragic loss of Drill Sergeant Jessica Mitchell. We are focused on supporting Drill Sergeant Mitchell’s family as well as her soldiers during this extremely difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, the MEDCoE Commanding General.

2 1 of 2 Kin Man Hui /Staff file photo Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Jerry Lara /Staff file photo Show More Show LessThe Air Force said Monday that partial skeletal remains of a person were found over the weekend near Salado Creek at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The remains were first seen Sunday evening in the northeast part of the post, not far from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The creek runs through the post.

Sometimes they pop up even faster than GPS and things like Google Maps can keep up. “How long will it take for the GPS to pick up my street name?”The answer depends on the company. Users can also request a street be added through Google Maps on its website or app. At the bottom, click Send feedback. Through the App on Android or IOSTap your profile picture or initial Account Circle and then Help & Feedback and then Send Feedback.

SAN ANTONIO – Seven U.S. Air Force basic trainees marched into history on Thursday during graduation ceremonies at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland as the first enlisted members of the U.S. Space Force. “There’s lots of excitement ahead for these seven, and we couldn’t be more proud to have them on our team,” said Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, chief of operations for the Space Force, following the graduation ceremony. The seven trainees will transfer to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to begin training for their new Space Force positions. “The training will include operating satellites like the Global Positioning System, as well as operating satellites protecting our country, missile warning satellites and operating radar stations around the globe,” Raymond said. San Antonio is among six finalists cities being considered for the location of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters.

SAN ANTONIO – The first seven U.S. Space Force enlistees are set to graduate from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Thursday. The seven enlistees will graduate days before the U.S. Space Force marks its first anniversary on Dec. 20. Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett will be a guest speaker at the ceremony. The Space Force is the first new military service since the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947. Senator John Cornyn sent a letter Barrett in support of selecting San Antonio as the U.S. Space Command’s future headquarters.

SAN ANTONIO – The holiday season is kicking off in Military City, USA, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Wednesday. Each area base location will participate in the annual holiday event. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s takes place on Dec. 3 and Joint Base-Fort Sam Houston’s will take place on Dec. 4. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., and a parade will follow the event beginning at 6:15 p.m., according to a statement from base officials. “The holiday season can be difficult, especially when away from loved ones,” base officials said in a statement.

SAN ANTONIO – Two service members who were found dead in two separate incidents at Joint Base San Antonio last week have been identified. JBSA officials said Army Spc. Details surrounding their deaths were not released, but JBSA officials said foul play is not suspected in the separate incidents. Gen. Caroline Miller, the commander of the 502d Air Base Wing and JBSA, said in a news release. He was assigned to the 59th Medical Wing, officials said.

SAN ANTONIO – A service member was found dead Wednesday at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, officials said. The service member’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, a news release said. The incident is under investigation. No other information was released.

JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-NewsA soldier was found dead Wednesday on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Authorities did not release the circumstances or cause of death. Air Force Maj. Kim Bender, a spokeswoman for the joint base, said the soldier, who was not identified pending notification of family members, was found dead in a barracks.

Senator John Cornyn on Monday sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett in support of selecting San Antonio for U.S. Space Command’s future headquarters. Cornyn announced last week that San Antonio is one of six finalists for the headquarters. The full text of the letter can be read below:Dear Secretary Barrett:Thank you for selecting San Antonio as a finalist for United States Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters. San Antonio fully meets SPACECOM’s selection criteria, and I strongly endorse its application. I would fully support your selection of San Antonio as a future location for SPACECOM Headquarters.

click to enlarge U.S. Space CommandU.S. Space Force-7 mission, stacked Atlas 5. Joint Base San Antonio is among six finalist locations for the U.S. Space Command headquarters, Space News is reporting The other finalists are Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; Redstone Army Airfield, Alabama; and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, according to the story, which is based on a U.S. Air Force announcement.The Air Force in May launched an open bidding process to pick a permanent headquarters for the command. A decision could come as early as next year, and it will take up to six years to construct the facilities.San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg traveled to Washington D.C. last month to discuss the possibility of locating the headquarters in the Alamo City. Reportedly, some 40 companies bid on the project.U.S. Space Command's provisional headquarters are at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.According to press reports, the command would bring up to 1,400 jobs and between $500 million and $1 billion in military construction projects.

Bexar County Sheriff's OfficeAn Air Force chaplain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has been arrested after an investigation into online predators, San Antonio police confirmed Monday. Maj. Jesse McKee Howard, 41, was arrested Thursday near the 6200 block of Texas 151 and charged with online solicitation of a minor.

An Air Force chaplain stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was arrested Thursday by San Antonio police during an investigation into online predators. Maj. Jesse McKee Howard, 41, is the chaplain for the 433rd Airlift Wing, an Air Force reserve unit made up of roughly 3,400 service members stationed at JBSA-Lackland. A spokesperson for the reserve unit confirmed Howard’s arrest and noted he was on active duty at the time of his arrest. According to San Antonio police, Howard was arrested Thursday afternoon in the 6200 block of State Highway 151. Online solicitation of a minor is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Kim Turner, Universal City city manager, explained the city’s work — the first of its kind for the city as well as nationwide. “Regardless of the location of the property, Universal City is the project manager.”The city put the project out for a bid to demolish the houses and re-establish the lots with grass. The 10 parcels are now property of the DOD “and its use is the expanded clear zone for JBSA-Randolph. All of the homes were owner-occupied in 2017 when Bexar County received $5.3 million to purchase as many properties in the Clear Zone as possible. “Hence, the East Lindbergh project has now come back full swing.”The project, she said, removes the dilapidated structures from view.

The U.S. Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron - also known as the Hurricane Hunters - have moved their operations to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for a few days due to Hurricane Delta. pic.twitter.com/LZerGSQ0S4 — Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) October 6, 2020The Hurricane Hunters' home is at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. In fact, according to the Joint Base San Antonio website, this is the third time the Hurricane Hunters have had to move operations to Military City USA this hurricane season. Stay InformedTo follow along with the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, bookmark our hurricane page or download the KSAT Hurricane Tracker App. You can also find your local forecast anytime on the KSAT Weather page.

SAN ANTONIO – Fort Sam Houston officials announced Monday that a popular holiday program where San Antonio community members provide a home-cooked meal to soldiers in medical training, would be canceled this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Mission Thanksgiving” has been a tradition at Fort Sam Houston for more than 20 years, officials said. Last week, the 37th Training Wing announced the cancellation of “Operation Home Cooking” and “Operation Family Feast,” other similar programs for Airmen in basic military training and technical training. “We truly appreciate the hospitality the San Antonio community shows our soldiers during Thanksgiving, currently the risk is too high - our number one priority is to protect the health and readiness of the force,” LeMaster said. “We look forward to continuing this worthwhile tradition next Thanksgiving.”Related: San Antonio couple welcomes airmen, soldiers to enjoy home-cooking on Thanksgiving

SAN ANTONIO As requests for COVID-19 convalescent plasma spiked in late spring and early summer, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center needed more support, so a team from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston stepped in and played a crucial role in collecting and distributing convalescent plasma. Twelve soldiers spent 30 days helping at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center. Freed was part of the team of soldiers that helped at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in San Antonio. Freed said this job also helped soldiers gain experience for future deployments where they would need to collect blood during a mass casualty event. They expect to help the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center again.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio soldier who was killed earlier this month in Afghanistan was brought home Friday for a final farewell. ‘He will be severely missed,’: Division mourns loss of soldier from San Antonio killed in rollover crashSpc. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Fort Drum and New York. (10th Mountain Division Public Affairs)Ibarria was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

SAN ANTONIO – The military is investigating the death of a soldier at Fort Sam Houston, according to Joint Base San Antonio public affairs division. “A U.S. Army Soldier was found dead on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston July 12,” a statement from JBSA said. “The service member’s name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.”The incident is under investigation by U.S. Airforce Security Forces and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. No other details were provided about the circumstances of the soldier’s death. KSAT will continue to update this story as details become available.

To help reduce the community spread of COVID-19 in San Antonio and Texas, Joint Base San Antonio announced it is increasing the Health Protection Condition to Charlie (HPCON C) effective on Friday, June 26. That includes military members, civilian employees, and other Department of Defense-affiliated personnel, such as retirees, dependents, and contractors. Basic military training, technical training, medical training, flying training, cyber, and other JBSA missions will still happen, but the U.S. Air Force is still asking people to follow social distancing rules and other guidelines set up by the CDC. To see a full list of what is or isnt allowed at JBSA, click here. RELATED: JBSA limits gate access, increases health protections after 13 positive cases on bases

SAN ANTONIO – Joint Base San Antonio will discontinue “For Official Business Only” access to installations and change the Health Protection Condition to Bravo. All Department of Defense ID cardholders will have access to the installation and the ability to vouch for occupants in their vehicles. HPCON Bravo indicates a moderate disease threat and risk of exposure to personnel, and the public health emergency remains in effect on JBSA. Installation fitness centers will also open May 26 to uniformed military members only (Active Duty, Reserve and Guard members) with procedures and limiting numbers in place to better protect and lessen the spread. More details on the fitness centers can be found by clicking here.

SAN ANTONIO – More than 150 recent graduates of the Army’s Basic Combat Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, arrived at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston Friday in an unprecedented manner designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The soldiers, who have been training at Fort Jackson for the past several months, were screened daily over the last 14 days and one final time before traveling via chartered flight. The soldiers were screened a final time by drill sergeants wearing personal protective equipment before boarding sterile buses bound for Fort Sam Houston. The soldiers will begin training at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE. This procedure of transportation will be reviewed every two weeks and is expected to be in place until June 30th.

Courtesy of Joint Base San Antonio-LacklandHealth officials have confirmed 1,015 cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County and one additional death from the disease, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said during an update Sunday evening.The new death, a man in his 50s, brings the county's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic to 39. Roughly half of those deaths, 18 in total, have been among residents of Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, which was at the center of an outbreak that sickened more than 100 people.The new tally of infections is an increase of 33 from Saturdays reported 992 cases.Nearly 300 in Bexar County have recovered from the disease while 81 remain hospitalized, according to health officials. Of those still in the hospital, 41 are in intensive care and 24 are on ventilators.

The military will no longer share specific numbers about coronavirus cases with the media and public, though officials say local health departments still will get the data. However, after an order from top Defense Department officials, the military is no longer sharing such details. Michelle Vigil, public relations manager for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, confirmed that military officials are still reporting local coronavirus cases and hospitalizations of active duty service members, retirees, and dependents to the health department. Metro Health includes these numbers from Joint Base San Antonio in its daily update on the total number of coronavirus cases in Bexar County. As of early Monday, the latest available, those totaled 1,204 current cases 673 military, 247 civilians, 212 dependents, and 72 contractors.

First Air Force basic trainee test positive for coronavirus in S.A.U.S. Air Force airmen are sworn in during a basic training graduation ceremony held indoors on March 13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. less U.S. Air Force airmen are sworn in during a basic training graduation ceremony held indoors on March 13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The Air Force found its first case of COVID-19 among its new recruits ... more Photo: Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close First Air Force basic trainee test positive for coronavirus in S.A. 1 / 1 Back to GalleryThe first Air Force basic training recruit to test positive for coronavirus was moved into quarantine Wednesday and placed under observation. The Air Force said he was from Kentucky and believed to have caught the virus before joining 668 recruits who arrived last week. He became the first trainee, but the 24th airman here, to test positive for coronavirus, up from 17 from Tuesday.

Another 18 are expected to leave later Tuesday, and more will leave over the next few days.In February, federal officials began using the base as a quarantine site for waves of repatriated Americans with potential coronavirus infections. Five of that total were from theThe quarantine has been a flashpoint between the federal government and local officials, who maintain they were blindsided by the plans. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

More cruise ship coronavirus evacuees arrive at Lackland for 14-day quarantineA second charter flight from Oakland carrying passengers evacuated from the Grand Princess cruise ship arrives at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at about 4:48 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020. A second charter flight from Oakland carrying passengers evacuated from the Grand Princess cruise ship arrives at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at about 4:48 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff Photographer Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 73 Caption Close More cruise ship coronavirus evacuees arrive at Lackland for 14-day quarantine 1 / 73 Back to GalleryA second charter flight from Oakland carrying passengers evacuated from the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at about 4:48 a.m. Thursday. This arrival marked the second round of evacuees from the cruise ship that will be housed at Lackland during a federally mandated 14-day quarantine due to possible exposure of the coronavirus while on board the ship. Since February, Lackland has housed about 400 evacuees that were potentially exposed to the virus.

A plane carrying 51 evacuees from the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland early Thursday morning. The plane is the second to arrive in San Antonio from Oakland, California, where more than 2,000 passengers have disembarked since Monday, en route to quarantine facilities in Georgia, California, and Texas. Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the flight that landed at 4:48 a.m. Thursday was carrying Texas residents who will remain in San Antonio for the duration of a federally mandated 14-day quarantine. Only Texas residents will remain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for quarantine; other evacuees will return to their home states. Nirenberg said that the biggest priority is to prevent and delay transmission of COVID-19 in San Antonio and Bexar County.

This week, federal officials said the arrivals from the cruise ship would all be Texas residents.Lawmakers representing San Antonio have questioned whether the feds are doing enough to share information and cooperate with local officials. "It is fitting that Texans help Texans, but I am still concerned about the lack of federal support San Antonio is receiving while still fighting at the frontlines of this crisis," he said. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

About 120 passengers from the coronavirus-stricken ship will arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on the heels of a flight Tuesday night that brought 98 people to the base for a 14-day quarantine. But in the end, only evacuees that are Texas residents will remain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for quarantine, and other evacuees will return to their home states. Mayor Ron Nirenberg (left) meets with City Attorney Andy Segovia prior to the emergency City Council meeting on Wednesday morning. Councilman John Courage (D9) inquired about what would happen to evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland who are not from Texas but test positive for COVID-19 during their 14-day quarantine on base. The City is working with the CDC to develop a protocol for treating non-Texans, hoping to ensure that all evacuee flights arrive at and depart from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Walsh said.

A plane carrying 98 evacuees from the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship landed Tuesday night at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Nirenberg said that while there has been no lack of communication among the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, and San Antonio officials, meaningful communication has been a challenge. Also testifying before the public health committee Tuesday was Dr. David Persse, public health authority for the Houston Health Department, and Dr. Umair Shah, executive director and local health authority for Harris County. This protocol, which ensures minimal contact with the San Antonio community, did not exist before evacuees began arriving in San Antonio, Nirenberg said. The challenge last week was an indicator that that coordination needs to improve dramatically.Nirenberg said San Antonio hopes to have a smoother and more communicative situation with the next round of evacuees.

Around 100 passengers from a cruise ship that was carrying people infected with coronavirus are headed to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for quarantine, thereports.Some 90 passengers being evacuated from thedocked in Oakland, California are Texas residents, Gov. "[The new group of passengers] will stay on the base and not be transported around the city of San Antonio," Wolff said, "I personally feel a lot more confident about it." Last night, we received word that the federal government has opted to quarantine evacuees from the Grand Princess cruise ship at Lackland AFB. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

Mayor: Evacuees from the Grand Princess could be in San Antonio by Monday for quarantineAmerican passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan disembark Feb. 17, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Evacuees from the Grand Princess could be headed to San Antonio in March. less American passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan disembark Feb. 17, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. At least one former passenger of the Grand Princess, a California man, has died of the virus, health officials there have said. That includes not releasing the ships passengers into the general public in San Antonio.

Sources: More evacuees coming to Lackland for coronavirus quarantineAmerican passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan disembark Feb. 17, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. They were quarantined on base because of the spreading coronavirus. Evacuees from the Grand Princess could be headed to San Antonio in March. less American passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan disembark Feb. 17, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. After being evacuated from the ship by the State Department, 144 of the Diamond Princess passengers were flown Feb. 17 for a two-week quarantine at a hotel on Lackland.

Some of the approximately 120 coronavirus evacuees still in quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland will be released Tuesday, city officials confirmed via email.Those who have tested negative at least twice for the virus, will be released in an orderly way to minimize potential exposure to the San Antonio community, according to the city's statement. Those individuals will remain until they're symptom-free and have two negative tests 24 hours apart from each other.Also under that change in course, buses will transport the evacuees from the base to San Antonio International Airport in shifts based on their flight times. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

click to enlarge Centers for Disease ControlThe COVID-19 virus is shown under a microscope in this image supplied by the federal government. "We will do everything within our power to ensure that the community is kept safe and the exposure risk remains low, Nirenberg said Sunday. The federal quarantine period for the Diamond Princess cruise ship evacuees ends tomorrow, March 2. "Releasing an evacuee prior to negative test confirmation by CDC in Atlanta is completely unjustified. It is vital this not happen with any others in quarantine, who are scheduled for Monday release."

This past week has been one where all things global feel uncomfortably local. The Rivard Reports Health Reporter Roseanna Garza has relied on facts rather than fear in covering the developing story. Yet the World Health Organizations Friday warning that there is now a very high risk of pandemic is to be taken seriously. Dozens of the most important U.S. companies rely on China for cheap manufacturing and assembly labor, so the COVID-19 outbreak is not only a public health crisis and potential pandemic. President Donald Trump also downplayed the past weeks economic damage and encouraged people to invest in stocks.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, or coronavirus, among people quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has now reached six.The three new cases diagnosed by the Centers for Disease Control are among the evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that arrived in San Antonio a week ago . All have since been transferred and are still receiving medical care in isolation. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

Two people evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in San Antonio to three, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Friday. CDC officials said they expect additional cases of the virus will be confirmed among the group of cruise ship evacuees, 144 of whom arrived in San Antonio Monday from Japan for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. So far, 18 Americans repatriated from the ship have tested positive for the virus, according to the CDC. Our residents should know that the federally ordered quarantine is functioning as it should, San Antonio Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick said in a written statement. Those evacuees, who are in quarantine on Lackland Air Force Base, who test positive for COVID-19 remain in isolation from the general public and other evacuees.Ninety evacuees who completed their quarantine period at Lackland were released Thursday.

Federal, state and local health officials have confirmed two cases of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, among the cruise ship evacuees currently under federal quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.The new diagnoses bring the total number of confirmed Bexar County cases to three. Those evacuees, who are in quarantine on Lackland Air Force Base, who test positive for COVID-19 remain in isolation from the general public and other evacuees, Metro Health Director Dr. Dawn Emerick said in a written statement.The two latest diagnoses are among the 144 evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship moored off of Japan. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

The first round of coronavirus evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland were released on Thursday after completing a two-week mandatory quarantine. Of the 91 evacuees, one remains in treatment at a local hospital. The patient was transferred out of Methodist Texsan Hospital on Thursday for continued treatment at an area hospital, Methodist Healthcare said in a statement. The release of evacuees comes amid controversy surrounding their admission to civilian hospitals in San Antonio after arriving for quarantine on the Air Force base. Cornyn said that while people are concerned with how coronavirus evacuees are being treated in the U.S., his biggest concern is how China has mishandled this situation.Because China is afraid of being given bad press, they have simply shut down and are not being transparent, he said.

That group is still under quarantine.One person from the first influx of evacuees at Lackland was diagnosed with the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

Expressing concern for local residents, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has requested that novel coronavirus patients who exhibit symptoms of coronavirus remain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, which would reverse current federal protocol requiring them to be transported to area hospitals for evaluation. The concern comes as 151 evacuees from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Monday, with 144 remaining in San Antonio to be held under a 14-day quarantine. Planes carrying 91 evacuees from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the growing coronavirus outbreak, arrived in San Antonio on Feb. 6 for a mandatory quarantine. One of the passengers tested positive for coronavirus, the 15th confirmed case in the U.S., and was sent for treatment at Methodist Texsan Hospital. More than 73,000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed globally, resulting in 1,870 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

In a subsequent phone interview, Wolff said he thinks at least three people have been moved from the base. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

Hundreds of Americans who had been passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan landed in the U.S. on Monday, with 151 arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. American evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Feb. 17, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. Once they were in the isolation area, it was safest for us to keep them in there.More On Coronavirus in san Antonio Coronavirus-Hit Cruise Ship Passengers Bound for San Antonio Passengers quarantined on the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship will be evacuated with some bound for Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Risch said the evacuation is something the State Department has been preparing for during the last 18 months with Japans Ministry of Health. Currently, roughly 60 Americans are still in Japan and being tracked by the State Department.

click to enlarge TripAdvisorLackland Air Force BaseA charter flight carrying coronavirus evacuees previously quarantined aboard a cruise ship has landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.The plane, which departed from Tokyo, landed at the base at 3:55 a.m. local time. Reports indicate the plane carried American citizens who were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, previously docked in Yokohama, Japan. They were isolated from the other travelers, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Medical experts say the virus can still be spread if a person isn't showing symptoms. "The health and safety of the men, women and families living and working on JBSA-Lackland and in the San Antonio community is our number one priority," JBSA-Lackland officials said

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with local and state health officials announced at a press conference on Tuesday morning that a case of coronavirus has been confirmed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the division of high-consequence pathogens and pathology at the CDC, said the person started running a fever on Tuesday morning, and was transported to an undisclosed hospital to receive medical care. A patient specimen kit was immediately sent to the CDC for testing, and results confirming coronavirus were relayed at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, McQuiston said. No other details about the person who contracted the virus, or the hospital treating the patient, were disclosed. Those brought to Joint Base Lackland-San Antonio are arriving and receiving the great medical care that San Antonio has to offer, which could save their life.The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will continue to work with the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC to monitor the person with confirmed coronavirus as well as any people who may return to San Antonio following the two-week quarantine.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control said Thursday the agency has confirmed a single case of the novel coronavirus in San Antonio.CDC diagnosed the disease in a person quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. "The emergency preparedness has gone exactly according to plan," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.Citing safety concerns for the patient, officials wouldn't reveal details about the person's identity or hospital location.CDC Capt. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

While the evacuees are not displaying symptoms related to the disease, Captain Jennifer McQuiston, a spokesperson for the CDC, stressed that the quarantine is a precaution. "While these evacuees are here, every precaution will be taken to quarantine them and isolate them from the base community and the San Antonio community," McQuiston told KENS. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

Officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is expecting planes carrying U.S. evacuees to arrive Friday from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the growing coronavirus outbreak. CDC spokeswoman Amy Rowland told the Rivard Report that the evacuees arriving in San Antonio are people without any symptoms of coronavirus, which includes fever, coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath. The CDC would not disclose the names of hospitals that would treat patients showing symptoms of coronavirus. In the U.S., 11 people have tested positive for coronavirus, with 76 tests still pending as of Wednesday, according to the CDC. We know a lot about the virus because its a coronavirus, so the decision to quarantine for 14 days are based on sound science about coronavirus, Rowland said.

Should routine monitoring of the evacuees identify ill individuals, HHS has procedures in place to transport them to a local civilian hospital, Defense Department officials said. Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is in the process of creating a fact sheet that will include answers to frequently asked questions about coronavirus as base officials work to narrow down dates and details for the upcoming town halls. Baptist Health System said in a statement that it is working with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and the CDC to respond to any potential coronavirus cases in the San Antonio area. The CDC is working with officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to ensure quarantined people do not pose any danger to the local community. We should all be comforted by the extra precautions being taken by federal, state and local health officials, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

Further, JBSA told KENS5 it will hold town halls to answer additional questions from residents and base personnel. "We should all be comforted by the extra precautions being taken by federal, state and local health officials," Nirenberg said. "The misconception that folks with the coronavirus are coming to San Antonio is incredibly wrong," she said. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.