J OINT BASE SAN ANTONIO

U.S., Chilean armies completeSouthern Vanguard exercise Page 6

WWW.JBSA.MIL J O I N T B A S E S A N A N T O N I O SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

U.S. Space ForceGuardians helping toshape future Page 15

9/11 20th anniversary marchpays homage to lives lost

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PFC. JOSHUA TAECKENS

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division,and Chilean army soldiers assigned to 3rd Mountain Division, conduct a mock-rescue operation in Portillo, Chile, Aug. 27 during theSouthern Vanguard 2021 exercise between U.S. and Chilean soldiers.

2 | Friday, September 10, 2021 | JBSA Legacy

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office ofInspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemesrelated to COVID-19.

Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, socialmedia platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrateCOVID-19-related scams.

In one major scheme, fraudsters hack social media accountsand send direct messages to beneficiaries while posing as afriend or government employee. The impersonator claims theperson is eligible for government grants (citing various reasonslike COVID-19, disability, etc.) and urges them to call a phonenumber to collect the funds.

Upon calling, the beneficiary is asked to pay a “processing fee”(using bank account information, gift cards, bitcoin) to receivethe grant money. In return, targets of this scam never receiveany money, but often large sums of their money are stolen fromthem. These alleged grants are entirely illegitimate.

Fraudsters are also offering COVID-19 tests, HHS grants, andMedicare prescription cards in exchange for personal details,including Medicare information. However, these services areunapproved and illegitimate.

In another fraud scheme, some medical labs are targetingretirement communities claiming to offer COVID-19 tests, butthey are actually drawing blood and billing federal health careprograms for medically unnecessary services.

These scammers use the coronavirus pandemic to benefitthemselves, and beneficiaries face potential harm. The personalinformation collected can be used to fraudulently bill federalhealth care programs and commit medical identity theft.

Protect yourself

1 Do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccinecards, and do not fill in blank vaccination record cards withfalse information.1 As volunteers go door-to-door to inform communities acrossthe country about COVID-19 vaccines, be sure to protectyourself from criminals who are seeking to commit fraud. Donot provide personal, medical, or financial details to anyone inexchange for vaccine information, and obtain vaccinations fromtrusted providers.1 Offers to purchase COVID-19 vaccination cards are scams.Valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination can only be provided toindividuals by legitimate providers administering vaccines.1 Be cautious of COVID-19 survey scams. Do not give yourpersonal, medical, or financial information to anyone claiming tooffer money or gifts in exchange for your participation in aCOVID-19 vaccine survey.1 Be mindful of how you dispose of COVID-19 materials such assyringes, vials, vial container boxes, vaccination record cards,and shipment or tracking records. Improper disposal of theseitems could be used by bad actors to commit fraud.1 Photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards should not be sharedon social media. Posting content that includes your date of birth,health care details or other personally identifiable informationcan be used to steal your identity.1 Beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests fortheir personal, medical, and financial information. Medicare willnot call beneficiaries to offer COVID-19 related products,services, or benefit reviews.

1 Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offeringCOVID-19 tests or supplies. If you receive a suspicious call, hangup immediately.1 Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in, text messages aboutCOVID-19 from unknown individuals.1 Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing ortreatments on social media sites. If you make an appointment fora COVID-19 test online, make sure the location is an officialtesting site.1 Do not give your personal or financial information to anyoneclaiming to offer HHS grants related to COVID-19.1 Be aware of scammers pretending to be COVID-19 contacttracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for yourMedicare number, financial information, or attempt to set up aCOVID-19 test for you and collect payment information for thetest.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report itimmediately online or call 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

For accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19,visit:1 coronavirus.gov 1 cdc.gov/coronavirus1 usa.gov/coronavirus 1 fbi.gov/coronavirus1 justice.gov/coronavirus 1 oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus

HHS warns against COVID-19 scamsU.S. Department of Health and HumanServices Office of Inspector General

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

JBSA Legacy | Friday, September 10, 2021 | 3

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forumthat aims to connect the 502d Air BaseWing with members of the Joint BaseSan Antonio community. Questions arecollected during commander’s calls,town hall meetings and throughout theweek.

If you have a question or concern,please send an email [email protected] using thesubject line “Feedback Fridays.”Questions will be further researchedand published as information becomesavailable.

Q: The Delta variant is causingmassive increases in the communityspread of COVID-19.

Bexar County currently has the22nd highest positivity rate of all248 counties of Texas. The 7-dayaverage of new cases is higher thanthe last time (Jan. 3, 2021) thatHealth Protection, or HPCON,Charlie was enacted.

Why are JBSA installations stillin Bravo+ HPCON levels and isthere no concern for the families ofnew Airmen visiting the city whenthe variant is transmissible by andstill affects even vaccinatedindividuals?

A: The HPCON level guidelines are oneof the major risk tools that thecommander considers when makingdecisions about the HPCON level.

Other tools that the commander usesinclude discussions with JBSA PublicHealth Emergency Officers,Installation medical authorities,vaccination status of the population,

mission partners (stakeholders), andimpact to missions across the area ofoperation.

The HPCON level guidelines are justa guide and not a policy or regulation,thus it is a tool that commandersemploy to assist them in making adecision.

Q: Will the COVID-19 vaccine bemandatory for service memberssoon?

I have heard rumors of thevaccine becoming mandatory for usand would not be surprised if itdoes become mandatory but justwanted to be ready for when it doeshappen.

Thank you for your time.

A: Thank you for this question as I feelthat this is very important information.

On Aug. 24, Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austin III issued amemorandum for mandatoryCOVID-19 vaccinations of Departmentof Defense Service members.

The memo directs the secretaries ofthe military departments toimmediately begin full vaccination ofall members of the Armed Forcesunder Department of Defenseauthority on active duty or in theReserve or Guard.

Vaccination against COVID-19 willonly use vaccines that receive fulllicensure from the Food and DrugAdministration.

Timelines to receive the vaccine willbe made clear soon and yourleadership will keep you informed.

Feedback FridaysBrig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller

502D AIR BASE WING COMMANDER

COURTESY GRAPHIC

September is the peak householdgoods moving season and the 502ndLogistics Readiness Squadron wants toensure that all service members andtheir families receive the highestquality of customer service and havethe smoothest PCS move possible.

Officials with the 502nd LRS saidservice members need to be flexibleand not delay the scheduling of theirhousehold goods pickup.

In addition to using the DefensePersonal Property System, or DPS, theJoint Base San Antonio PersonalProperty Processing Offices atJBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam

Houston offer traditional briefings andJBSA-Randolph provides full DPSservices for their customers.

Those getting ready to move can signup for available sessions to receive arelocation briefing and start the moveprocess.

At JBSA-Lackland, in-person massbriefings are given at 8 and 9 a.m. onTuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,in room 118, 1561 Stewart St., building5616. Briefings with finance and PPPOfor retiring and separating members

are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays andWednesdays in room 118. Virtualbriefings, sponsored by 802nd ForceSupport Squadron Military & FamilyReadiness Center are held via Zoom onthe second and 4th Thursdays of eachmonth.

At JBSA-Fort Sam Houston,in-person briefings for Army studentsand all other customers in-processingand out-processing are held on awalk-in basis from 6:30 a.m. to 3:15p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Note

that the office closes each Wednesdayat 1:15 p.m. for training. The PPPOoffice is located at 2400 Jessup Road,building 4023, room 207.

Once the briefing is received, peoplecan remain in close contact with theJoint Personal Property ShippingOffice throughout the process toensure pack/pickup dates have beenconfirmed with a transportationservice provider.

For more information, contact thecustomer service section at theJBSA-Lackland PPPO at 210-671-2821, atJBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 210-221-1605,and at the JBSA-Randolph PPPO at210-652-1848. For frequent updates andfor tips on a move, check the JBSAPPPO Facebook page atwww.Facebook.com/JBSAPPPO.

September is peak household goods moving seasonBy 2nd Lt. Jacob Brake and Tina JenkinsJBSA PERSONAL PROPERTY PROCESSING OFFICE

Officials with the 502nd LRS said service

members need to be flexible and not delay the

scheduling of their household goods pickup.

Smoke alarms save lives. Buta regular alarm cannot berelied upon when it comes toalerting a deaf or hard ofhearing person to a fire.

People with disabilities mustdeal with the unique challengesthat fires present. With thedisadvantages this group ofpeople may have in escaping afire, they could also haveobstacles in their residence thatwould hamper their safeexodus.

To avoid such a delay theneed in preparing ahead oftime without some sort ofassistance from a caregiver,neighbor, or relative to protectyourself and your loved ones inthe home is vital.

In this case, an alarm with astrobe, or flashing, lights forthe deaf or hard of hearingshould be used. In addition,the alarm should be tested byan independent testinglaboratory. The alarms forsleeping areas with strobes arerequired to be of a special highintensity that can wake asleeping person.

SAFETY TIPS INCLUDE:

1 Smoke alarms are availablefor people who are deaf or withprofound hearing loss. Thesealarms use strobe lights towake the person. Vibrationnotification appliances, such aspillow or bed shakers, areactivated by the sound of asmoke alarm.1 As people age, their ability tohear high-pitched soundsdecreases. Research from theNational Fire ProtectionAssociation ResearchFoundation showed that olderadults are unlikely to respondto alarms with strobe lights.1 Older adults or other peoplewho are hard of hearing, orthose with mild to severehearing loss, can use a devicethat emits a mixed, low-pitchedsound. In its current form, this

device is activated by the soundof a traditional smoke alarm.1 Make sure everyone in yourhome understands and reactsto the signal (light, vibration,or sound) used in theirsituation.1 Don’t forget all smokealarms should be tested at leastmonthly. Replace smoke alarmsand equipment for people whoare deaf or hard of hearingaccording to themanufacturer’srecommendations. If you can’treach the alarm, ask for help.

Including everyone in thehome escape planning is vital,so get input from each memberof the family on the best way toescape a fire.

Home fire drills are equallyimportant and everyone shouldparticipate. Knowing where tomeet outside the home, takingaccountability of familymembers, and calling 9-1-1should be practiced. Keep aphone by the bed to call forhelp in case you can’t escape.

Contact your local firedepartment and ask them ifthey can review your plan andrecommend any inputs. Ask ifthey maintain a directory ofoccupants in the home thatmay require assistance inescaping a fire in the home. Ifyou have a service animal,

include them in your fireescape plan during anemergency.

To learn more about smokealarms for the hearing

impaired, visit the NationalFire Protection Association’swebsite at www.nfpa.org/education or contact the fireprevention offices at Joint Base

San Antonio-Fort SamHouston at 210-221-1804, atJBSA-Lackland at 210-671-2921or at JBSA-Randolph at210-652-6915.

Home fire safety should factor in people with disabilitiesBy Jessie R. Moreno Fire Protection Inspector902ND CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION



As of Sept. 1, Texans can now carryhandguns without a license or training,after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed thepermitless carry bill into law.

House Bill 1927, also known as theFirearm Carry Act of 2021, eliminates therequirement for Texas residents to obtaina license to carry handguns if they’re notprohibited by state or federal law frompossessing a gun.

However, these changes do not apply atJoint Base San Antonio.

“Federal law prohibits the carrying offirearms in federal and governmentfacilities and all JBSA locations willcontinue to prohibit both open andconcealed carry of privately ownedfirearms, or POFs, by military membersand civilians,” said Tim Heintzelman,Chief of Plans and Programs for the502nd Security Forces Group atJBSA-Randolph. “This prohibition appliesto all JBSA facilities both inside andoutside the fence line, including leasedgovernment property.”

Texas joins 19 other states withpermitless or constitutional carry lawsthat allow Texans 21 and over to carryhandguns — openly or concealed —without obtaining a state-issued license,so long they are not excluded frompossessing a firearm by another federal orstate law. A background check is stillrequired for the purchase of a firearm.

“Previously, Texans who wanted tocarry a pistol needed a state-issued licensethat required training, a proficiency examand a background check,” Heintzelmansaid. “Any Texan currently disqualifiedfrom possessing a firearm will still beprohibited under the new law. Lawmakersalso raised the penalties for illegalweapons carried by felons and thoseconvicted of family violence offenses.

“For residents of base housing, firearmsmust be registered with Security Forces,”he added. “POFs within JBSA must beregistered with Security Forces via AirForce Form 1314. Once registered, theymay be stored in military/privatizedhousing if they are secured in anappropriate locked container. They mustalso be rendered inoperable tounauthorized users by mechanical locksor other safety devices.”

Residents are given 30 days from thedate of weapons purchase or move-in tosubmit the paperwork to the Security

Forces armory. Up to five firearms can beregistered on the AF Form 1314 FirearmsRegistration, which must be signed by theservice member’s commander. Inaddition, members must complete theDepartment of Defense Form 2760Qualification to Possess Firearms orAmmunition.

“POFs and/or ammunition shall not bestored in vehicles, barracks,unaccompanied quarters, transientquarters, dormitories, lodging rooms,temporary lodging facilities, privatizedlodging, guest houses, or JBSA campingand recreational vehicle areas,”Heintzelman said. “Residents or visitors atthese facilities must immediately store anyPOFs in a Security Forces Armory.”

Under the new Texas law, a person cancarry a handgun either concealed orcarried openly in a holster, but along withall federal property and governmentbuildings, there are still certain publicplaces where firearms are not allowed,even under constitutional carry, unless theperson is a licensed peace officer.

Those include:1 Bars and other businesses that make51% of their receipts from alcohol1 Schools1 Sporting events and horse or dog races1 Polling places1 Airports1 Courtrooms1 Jails and prisons1 Government buildings1 Hospitals1 National park buildings (that includesthe San Antonio Missions and TheAlamo)1 Private businesses or land in which theowner has signage posted outlawingweapons

“The bottom line is that JBSA is acomplex environment and allowingeveryone to carry a concealed handgunwill make the job of our securityprofessionals more difficult; thus, theworkforce and our families may be atrisk,” Heintzelman said.

For more information concerning thePOF policy for JBSA-Lackland, callSecurity Forces Pass and Registration at671-9162 during duty hours and the BaseDefense Operations Center at 671-2017during non-duty hours. For JBSA-FortSam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, callSecurity Forces Pass and Registration at221-0213 during duty hours and the BaseDefense Operations Center at 221-2222during non-duty hours.

Texas Constitutional Carry firearmslaw changes do not apply on JBSA

By Steve Elliott502ND AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS


Tucked high in the frigid,snow-covered AndesMountains, U.S. Army Soldiersassigned to the 10th MountainDivision completed the 13-daySouthern Vanguard trainingexercise Aug. 30 with theChilean army.

In coordination with U.S.Army South, the approximately120 10th Mountain DivisionSoldiers found themselves at analtitude of more than 9,200 feet,with high winds andtemperatures below freezing,learning the basics of coldweather, mountain warfare,including the fundamentals ofsurvival, movement and combatfrom instructors at the ChileanArmy Mountain School.

“The Chilean armymountaineer is a highly trainedexpert in their craft and wellversed in the challengesassociated with conductingmilitary operations in a coldweather, high altitudeenvironment,” said Maj.Matthew McCarty, Army Southplans and operations officer incharge of Exercise SouthernVanguard 21. “It is an expertisethat is being passed on to U.S.Soldiers with the 10th MountainDivision.”

The exercise culminated witha two-day field training exerciseincluding a mock-rescueoperation of a downed medicalaircraft with 40 Chileansoldiers and a fraternity hikewhere Chilean and U.S.Soldiers marched more thanfive miles through the snow tothe Christ the Redeemer of theAndes monument on theborder with Argentina.

This was the largest U.S.

Army element to conduct thistraining, and its purpose was tobring the 10th MountainDivision back to its historicalroots and demonstrateoperational readiness, regionalunity, and affirm the U.S.Army’s longstandingcommitment to our partners inthe Western Hemisphere,according to McCarty.

“U.S. Army South, the 10thMountain Division and theChilean army have beenplanning this exercise sinceFebruary 2020 throughmultiple virtual and in-personmeetings,” McCarty said.

The planning by all was a

major portion of SouthernVanguard, but once on theground, the Chilean armypartners took the reins for dailyexecution given their familiaritywith the terrain and weatherconditions.

“Training in thisenvironment makes the Soldierfight with two enemies, theenemy combatant and theenvironment,” said ChileanArmy Capt. Carlos WilliamsCuevas, commander of trainingat the Chilean Army MountainSchool. “Every day, we had abriefing at 20:00 to discuss theweather and how we need toadjust based on training and

safety requirements.”Even with all the mental

work that went into planning,the physical work for thesoldiers and the conditions onthe ground were daunting.Despite the freezingtemperatures and roughterrain, the Soldiers appearedvery positive with regard to theenvironment.

“We’ve been training the lastsix months for this tremendousopportunity; they said it wasgoing to be tough, and theywere right,” said Spc. DustinTschudy, an infantryman withBravo Company 2-87. “I’malways going to remember this

experience and the training wedid here, and I’ll pass thelessons we learned on to otherSoldiers.”

Soldiers completed coursesin downhill skiing,cross-country skiing,snowshoeing, avalanche rescue,snow shelter construction,rappelling and medicalevacuation over the course ofsix days before going on atwo-day field training exercise.

The Chilean army instructorsplayed an integral part intraining and sharing techniquesand experience with U.S.Soldiers, providing them withthe basic skills to survive,move, fight and win in ahigh-altitude environment.

“The Chilean instructorshave been nothing butprofessional, and they arereally good at making sure weunderstand, at the lowest level,how to do whatever task we arecompleting,” said Sgt. 1st ClassCorey Irwin, a platoon leaderassigned to Bravo Company2-87. “With training like this,we can take soldiers with littleto no experience with the snowand make them confident andcompetent in a winterenvironment.”

The 10th Mountain Divisionoriginally specialized inmountain warfare dating backto World War II, but since theirreactivation in 1985, the divisionhas focused on combatoperations in a variety ofgeographical terrains. Thetraining provided by SouthernVanguard 21 is an opportunityto bet back to the division’sroots.

“We are the mountaindivision, and we are evolvinginto the arctic division, so we

U.S., Chilean armies completeSouthern Vanguard training exercise

By Pfc. Joshua TaeckensU.S. ARMY SOUTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS

PFC. JOSHUA TAECKENS

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10thMountain Division, cross-country ski at the Chilean Army Mountain School in Portillo, Chile, Aug. 21 during the SouthernVanguard 2021 exercise.

EXERCISE continues on 7


are getting back to fighting inthe cold weather and themountains,” said Command Sgt.Maj. Michael Espeland, 2ndBattalion, 87th InfantryRegiment, 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 10th Mountain Division.“We are learning a great dealhere; how to live and train in themountains from the Chileanarmy.”

This exercise was a directreflection of the U.S. Army’scommitment to strengthen anenduring partnership with Chileand build combined readinessand interoperability in bothplanning and execution.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th InfantryRegiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Chileanarmy soldiers assigned to 3rd Mountain Division, gather for a photo in front ofthe Christ the Redeemer of the Andes on near Cancha Pelada, Chile, Aug. 29.

Sgt. 1st ClassCorey Irwin,Platoonleaderassigned toBravoCompany,2ndBattalion,87th InfantryRegiment,2nd BrigadeCombatTeam, 10thMountainDivision, skisat SkiPortillo inPortillo,Chile Aug.24 duringSouthernVanguard2021.

PHOTOS PFC. JOSHUA TAECKENS

Spc. Dustin Tschudy and Pvt. Coleman Hinshaw, Bravo Company, 2ndBattalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th MountainDivision, construct a snow shelter at the Chilean Army Mountain School inPortillo, Chile, Aug. 19 during Southern Vanguard 2021.

Maj.MatthewMcCarty,Southern

Vanguard2021 lead

operationsmanager

assigned toArmy South,

talks on asatellite

phone at theChilean

ArmyMountainSchool in

Portillo,Chile, Aug.

20.

Pvt. HunterBell and Pvt.

ColemanHinshawpracticecasualty

rescuerappel while

Sgt. 1st ClassCorey Irwin,

platoonsergeant

with BravoCo. 2-87,observes

them at theChilean

ArmyMountainSchool in

Portillo,Chile, Aug.

20.

EXERCISEFrom page 6


Brooke Army Medical Center islaunching a number of initiativesaimed at helping patients navigate thecomplex maze of medical billing.

From financial counseling to arevamped collections process, BAMCofficials are hoping to alleviate billingconcerns, particularly for civiliantrauma patients.

“We want our patients to focus ontheir recovery, not be stressed withbilling issues,” said Air Force Col.Patrick Osborn, BAMC’s deputycommander for surgical services.

As a military hospital, BAMC isknown for its mission of caring for thenation’s warfighters, retirees andfamily members. However, BAMC alsohas a unique, and perhapslesser-known, commitment to itscommunity. As the Department ofDefense’s sole Level I Trauma Center,the hospital provides complexemergency care to civilian patients inan area that encompasses 22 countiesin Southwest Texas.

“We are able to care for civilianswithout military benefits through aspecial Secretary ofDefense-authorized program,” Osbornexplained. Through the SecretarialDesignee program, with approval,BAMC is permitted to provide traumaand trauma-related follow-on care tonon-military beneficiaries for up to sixmonths.

Caring for trauma patients has atwo-fold benefit, Osborn noted. “It aidsthe community in which we work andlive, while also offering our militarymedical professionals vital hands-ontraining that translates directly tobattlefield care,” he said.

Billing process

Military Treatment Facilities arerequired by federal law to bill for anycare provided to civilians withoutmilitary benefits. As in other medicalfacilities, civilian trauma patients withmedical insurance rely on their privatecarrier for coverage.

“If the patient has insurance and wehave that information on file, we file aclaim with their carrier as a courtesy toour patients,” explained Army Maj.Matt Slykhuis, BAMC’s deputy chieffinancial officer. “Once a bill is

generated, we have 120 days to workwith the insurance company to helpfacilitate a payment, whether it’spayment in full or payment less adeductible or copay.”

Patients are billed if an insurancecompany denies a claim and allappeals, if there is a balance remainingafter insurance payment, or if apatient’s insurance information is noton file. In the absence of payment, as afederal healthcare facility, BAMC isrequired by law to transfer theremaining balance to the U.S.Department of Treasury forcollections.

“Military Treatment Facilities arenot authorized to waive, reduce,suspend or terminate debt,” Slykhuissaid.

New, improved process

Until recently, once transferred tothe Treasury, the debt immediatelybegan accruing significant interest andfees, resulting in additional stress forpatients, he noted.

Aware of patients’ struggles withmounting debt, BAMC worked closelywith the Defense Health Agency andTreasury Department to implement anew, more flexible process. EffectiveNovember 2020, rather than billpatients directly, BAMC nowautomatically transfers any remainingbalance to the Treasury Department’sCentralized Receivables Service afterthe 120 days of insurance processing.

Unlike BAMC, CRS has the ability toset up longer-term payment plans or tosuspend collections based ondemonstrated hardship. As anadditional relief effort, CRS is notrequired to tack on the fees andpenalties generated by the centralTreasury department.

“This gives patients a flexibility incollections that BAMC is notpermitted, by law, to provide,”Slykhuis said.

Better education

Additionally, BAMC is working tobetter educate patients and theirfamilies throughout treatment aboutthe financial process to help combatmisinformation and confusion.

“We are in the process of bringingexperienced financial counselors onboard who can help patients navigatethe insurance and payment process,”said Army Maj. Rebecca Morrell, chief,

strategic healthcare innovation andtransformation. The counselors will beassigned to the Emergency Departmentand inpatient wards to aid the patientsand their families, she explained.

Additionally, the counselors willserve as a liaison with insurancecompanies, facilitating claims, anddetermining additional eligibility foroptional enrollment in programs thatoffer payment assistance for specificpatient populations. This includesinsurance programs for patients whodo not have coverage and federal, stateand local grant programs.

In or out?

One of the most common areas ofconfusion is BAMC’s status as a federalhealthcare facility, Morrell noted. SinceBAMC is not authorized to enter into acontract with insurance carriers, manycarriers treat BAMC as an “out ofnetwork” facility. However, the lawrequires all insurance companies toconsider federal health care facilities as“in network” for billing purposes.

“Unfortunately, insurance carriersoften consider BAMC as being ‘out ofnetwork’ and either deny claims orreimburse at a reduced ‘out of network’rate,” she said. BAMC works behindthe scenes to provide clarification andinformation to aid patients, but thedelay can cause undue stress andadditional financial liability forpatients facing the collection process.

The counselors will also help tonavigate the insurance process forpatients in the event of an accident,from vehicular to workplace.

BAMC is working to bring thesecounselors on board in the near future.In the meantime, the hospital willcontinue to aid patients through initialcounseling sessions and financialinformation forms and brochures.

Billing transparency

The billing team is also lookingforward to the implementation of anew electronic health record calledGenesis at BAMC in January 2022 andan updated billing system in January2023. The new EHR and billing systemhave the potential to provide itemizedinpatient billing for military treatmentfacilities, which is not an availablefeature with the legacy systemscurrently in place.

“This will enable us to be moretransparent about our healthcare costs

and aid insurance companies seekingitemized information,” Morrell noted.

Positive changes

Aware of the challenges, communityleaders are also working to changelaws to the benefit of patients. Recentstate legislation outlined in TexasHouse Bill 2365 enables militarytreatment facilities to be considered asparticipating providers with Medicaideffective Sept. 1, 2021. This will enableBAMC to take Medicaidreimbursements as payment in full.Additionally, BAMC will be able to billMedicaid for outpatient services,which wasn’t the case prior.

“This is great news for our Medicaidpatients and for our providers who willbe better able to provide continuity ofcare,” Osborn said.

Seeking assistance

As BAMC works to implement theseimprovements, billing expertsrecommend several steps patients cantake to better navigate the billingprocess:1 Ensure BAMC has all currentinformation, including the name ofinsurance carrier, mailing address andcontact information, prior to hospitaldeparture.1 Review all BAMCinvoices/documents received in themail without delay. Insured patientswho receive a bill for the full amountshould contact the BAMC UniformBusiness Office as soon as possible toensure that a claim was appropriatelyfiled to their insurance carrier.1 For billing questions/concerns,contact the BAMC Uniform BusinessOffice, or UBO, email [email protected] call 916-8563/5772.1 Contact insurance companiesdirectly to confirm their level ofcoverage and personal responsibility.

BAMC will continue to explore waysto improve the billing process forpatients, Osborn noted.

“We are incredibly proud andhonored to serve our community as aLevel I Trauma Center, and asignificant part of this commitment isensuring our patients are treated withempathy and compassion in everyaspect of their care,” he said. “Thisextends to ensuring they receive thebest possible financial counseling andeducation.”

BAMC launches initiatives to alleviate billing concernsBy Elaine SanchezBROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

PUBLIC AFFAIRS


In an effort to protect itsmost vulnerable patients fromillness, Brooke Army MedicalCenter is now offering theCOVID-19 vaccine to allhospital inpatients ages 12 andolder.

BAMC administered its firstinpatient vaccine to apostpartum patient Sept. 1.

“We are honored to offer thislifesaving vaccination to ourinpatients, to include ourmilitary beneficiaries andcivilian emergency/traumapatients,” said ChristinaKramer, chief nurse,Department of Pediatrics.

The new program enablesinpatients to either start orcompletes the vaccinationprocess during their hospitalstay.

“Being vaccinated againstCOVID-19, whether fully or

partially, increases the chancesof a milder or shorter illnesscompared to those who areunvaccinated,” Kramerexplained, citing CDC data.

According to the CDC,COVID-19 vaccines have beenshown to provide protectionagainst severe illness andhospitalization among peopleof all ages eligible to receivethem. And, in the case ofCOVID-19 vaccines, formaximum benefit, two dosesare better than one.

Either a patient or healthcareteam member can initiate thevaccine discussion. Oncepatients opt-in and are clearedto receive the vaccine, they aregiven the screening form, thePfizer vaccine and instructionsfor V-Safe, the CDC’spost-vaccine health checker.

“The goal is for the patientand their healthcare team towork together to determine thebest care plan possible,”Kramer said.

For outpatients, BAMCcontinues to offer the Pfizervaccine to all beneficiaries ages12 and up at its vaccination siteon main post Joint Base SanAntonio-Fort Sam Houston.The vaccination site also offersan additional dose to patientswith moderately to severelycompromised immune systems.

“The COVID-19 vaccine issafe and effective,” Kramersaid. “Being vaccinated is avital part of reducing thespread of the COVID-19 virus,protecting yourself, yourfamily, and your community.”

For more information onBAMC’s COVID-19 vaccineprogram, visit https://bamc.tricare.mil/.

For general information onCOVID-19 vaccines, visithttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html?s_cid=11625:covid%20vaccine%20facts:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN.Grants:FY22.

BAMC expands COVID-19 vaccine program to inpatientsBy Elaine SanchezBROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JASON W. EDWARDS

Patrinia Thomas, licensed vocational nurse, administers the COVID-19vaccination to Genesis Crockett at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint BaseSan Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Sept. 2. BAMC is now offering the COVID-19vaccine to all hospital inpatients ages 12 and older.


ARMY SOUTHMEDICAL PERSONNELCONDUCT EXCHANGE

IN ECUADOR

LEANNE THOMAS

U.S. Army South medical personnel conduct asubject matter expert exchange with

Ecuadorian Army medical professionals inQuito, Ecuador, Aug. 23. During the exchange,

the partner nation armies discussed urbantactics, casualty evacuations and under fire

training. U.S. Army South is committed tocreating opportunities that increase

collaboration, enhance interoperability andassist in building partner nation capacity.


The Faculty Student andStaff Development program,or FSSD, is a service tailoredto the development of studentsuccess for Medical Educationand Training Campus traineeswho are struggling with theiracademics.

Created by Everett Ybarraand Lankla Ivory, FSSD is itsown academic departmentlocated in the METC footprintsince the campus stood up in2010 at Joint Base SanAntonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Alongside Ybarra andIvory, the program consists oftwo academic interventionspecialists, Iris Teasly andVictoria Belmares, andtraining instructors who areinstrumental in gettingstudents help when they fallbehind or are failing classes.

Described as an acceleratedcurriculum, courses at METCare not like traditional collegeclasses.

METC offers 48 alliedhealth programs that arefast-paced, hybrid classes thatchallenge students to processlarge amounts of materialwithin a short timeframe.

“Learning to be anemergency medicaltechnician) in the civilianworld usually takes 6 months,but students at our campus doit in 6 weeks,” Ybarra said.“To be a civiliancardiopulmonary tech it takes1 ½ to 2 years, but ourstudents are doing it in sixmonths.”

Originally known asFaculty and StaffDevelopment, the FSSDprogram was initiallyresponsible for supportinginstructors and staff.

Shortly after nearly allenlisted medical trainingco-located to METC and the

campus became fullyoperational, the programquickly began catering tostudent success.

The change came aboutafter Ybarra received a phonecall from a concerned parentwhose child was in danger ofbeing separated from themilitary if they did not passtheir EMT exam. Byreferencing the Visual AudialRead/Write Kinesthetic, orVARK, questionnaire, Ybarradiscovered the student’slearning style.

As a result, “Mr. Y’sLearning System” was createdand is now taught to allincoming METC students. Thestudy system encouragesstudents to see, feel and hearthe material that they arelearning. The three main toolsconsist of highlighters, a

spiral notebook andflashcards.

“Ninety percent of ourstudents are kinestheticlearners,” Ybarra said. “Theyare very smart, but arrive withpoor study skills because theydidn’t have to study two tothree hours per day in highschool. We teach the learningsystem, but it is their choice touse it.”

Urging students to highlightobjectives in orange, boldedwords in blue, definitions inyellow and testableinformation in pink, Mr. Y’sLearning System teachesstudents how to study andprep for tests.

Along with other pointerssuch as chucking material androte memory, the study systemteaches students to nothighlight their whole book

while studying. He alsorecommends students create apractice test study guide anddevelop test questions fromobjectives and key materialsfound in the book.

Ybarra also tells students tolisten closely to instructorswhen they mention phrasessuch as “you’re going to wantto remember this” or “this isreally important.”

Ybarra, a former publicschool teacher, alsoemphasizes success with hislearning system involvingsecond language learners andinternational students whosefirst language isn’t English.

Recently, he was able toinfluence a former teacherfrom Ghana who is now astudent in the U.S. NavyHospital Basic Corpsmanprogram. He was failing due

to gaps in his understandingof the English language.

“As I was teaching him Mr.Y’s Study System, you couldtell when he ’got it.’ Hebecame very excited about mysystem and asked me if I couldteach it to students in Ghana,”Ybarra said.

By retaining students whomight have failed out of theirtraining, the FSSDdepartment has saved METCand the individual militaryservices approximately $36million dollars over the pastfour fiscal years. Although thenumber is impressive, theFSSD staff is inspired bystudent success.

“We take pride in helpingstudents graduate andcontinue their careers,”Ybarra said. “My thanks goout to my team who bringstheir game every day.”

METC development program caters to student success

By London PrinceMEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

CAMPUS PROTOCOL SUPPORT

LONDON PRINCE

Everett Ybarra (right), lead for Faculty Student and Staff Development at the Medical Education and TrainingCampus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, teaches the importance of “Mr. Y’s Learning System” tonew METC students. The system encourages students to see, feel and hear the material that they are learningand how to study and prep for tests. (This photo was taken prior to the mask mandate recently implemented onJBSA.)

“Ninety percent of

our students are

kinesthetic learn-

ers. They are very

smart, but arrive

with poor study

skills because

they didn’t have

to study two to

three hours per

day in high

school. We teach

the learning sys-

tem but it is their

choice to use it.”Everett Ybarra

Co-creator, FSSD


Col. Jorge A. Arredondoassumed command of the 470thMilitary Intelligence Brigadeduring a ceremony Aug. 27 atthe U.S. Army MedicalDepartment Museum at JointBase San Antonio-Fort SamHouston, Texas.

Maj. Gen. William L.Thigpen, U.S. Army Southcommander, hosted theceremony where he welcomedArredondo and his family toJBSA-Fort Sam Houston andspoke of Arredondo’s manyaccomplishments during hisU.S. Army career.

“I can assure the brigade thatyou’re in safe hands. Col.Arredondo brings vast militaryexpertise and leadership to theunit,” Thigpen said. “Jorge is nostranger to the U.S. SouthernCommand area of responsibility.Previously, he was assignedhere when U.S. Army Southwas in Puerto Rico where heserved as an intelligenceofficer.”

Arredondo most recentlyserved as the U.S. SpecialOperations Command directorof intelligence at MacDill Air

Force Base, Florida.Throughout his career, he hasdeployed to more than 20countries in the Northern

Command, Central Commandand Southern Command areasof responsibility.

Arredondo holds two

bachelor’s degrees in medicalsociology and linguistics fromNew Mexico State Universityand dual masters’ degrees ininternational relations fromTroy University and strategicstudies from U.S. Army WarCollege. He is a graduate of theInfantry Officer Base andMilitary Intelligence AdvancedCourses, Counter-IntelligenceSpecial Agent Course and theWestern Hemisphere Institutefor Security Cooperation at FortBenning, Georgia.

The 470th MilitaryIntelligence Brigade’s mission isto provide multi-disciplinedintelligence support to U.S.Army South and U.S. SouthernCommand.

The brigade also supportsintelligence operations in theU.S. Central Command area ofresponsibility. Additionally,Force Protection Detachmentswithin the brigade providecounterintelligence support andforce protection forcounterintelligence missionsthroughout the U.S. SouthernCommand area of responsibility.

470th Military Intelligence Brigade welcomes new commanderBy Rochelle NausU.S. ARMY SOUTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS

ROCHELLE M. NAUS

Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen (left), U.S. Army South commanding general, passes the 470th Military IntelligenceBrigade colors to Col. Jorge A. Arredondo during an assumption of command ceremony Aug. 27 at the U.S. Army MedicalDepartment Museum at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

U.S. ARMY SOUTH,CHILEAN ARMY

VISIT NATIONALTRAINING CENTER

COURTESY PHOTO

U.S. Army South security cooperationpersonnel accompany delegates from the

Chilean army to visit the National TrainingCenter at Fort Irwin, California, Aug. 21.

During the visit, Chilean army infantry andarmor officers observed Stryker formationsfrom the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Divisiontrain during Rotation 2109. Interoperability

allows Soldiers and systems, and those ofother countries, to operate in conjunction with

each other, which is critical to bolstering anextended network of partnerships capable of

decisively meeting shared challenges.


After learning the concept ofabstract art in SAPR self-careand resiliency classes, Turnersaid advocates have passed onand encouraged sexual assaultsurvivors to take it up.

“It’s providing a way forindividuals who may haveendured sexual assault to find anew way to recover by way ofart because art is a form oftherapy,” Turner said. “It hasbeen found to be very effective.”

Since May, Turner said 50members of the militarycommunity have created piecesof abstract art, with 25 of thosepieces donated to the SAPRAdvocacy Center at JBSA-FortSam Houston, which displaysthem on their walls.

Even with COVID-19restrictions, Turner has beenable to provide in-personinstruction to the advocates,helping professionals andsenior leaders on abstract art,because the classroom at theJBSA-Fort Sam Houston SAPRAdvocacy Center is largeenough for social distancing.

She also liquified the paint soclass attendees didn’t have totouch paintbrushes to createtheir works of art, as thecanvases are designed to helppeople control the flow of thepaint in creating designs.

Turner said the Wet PaintProject has brought members ofthe JBSA community togetherin expressing their feelings andemotions through art.

“The Wet Paint Projectallows for resiliency to takeplace, giving people strategies,team building as they’re havingconversations about sexualassault,” Turner said. “It

Joint Base San Antoniomembers helping survivors ofsexual assault are using art as aform of self-care, healing and away to spread awarenessthrough a new project beingconducted by the JBSA SexualAssault Prevention andResponse program.

The Wet Paint Project givessurvivors of sexual assault andviolence, and thoseprofessionals and volunteershelping them in the SAPRprogram, the opportunity toraise awareness and preventionof sexual assault by creatingabstract art pieces.

Sayama Turner, JBSA SAPRStudent DevelopmentPrograms director, created theWet Paint Project in May as aself-care activity in classes forthose working on behalf ofsexual assault survivors,including sexual assaultresponse coordinators,program managers, SpecialVictims’ Counsel and volunteervictim advocates.

Turner was trying to create aself-care activity for those whoassist sexual assault survivorswhen she came up with the ideaof using abstract art, an activityshe has been doing for over 30years.

“It was designed as a methodto help those who are in thefield of sexual assault to have anew way — a new strategy — ofpracticing self-care,” Turnersaid.

Turner said it is importantfor advocates of sexual assaultsurvivors to practice self-care.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Sayama Turner, Joint Base San Antonio Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Student Development Programsdirector, displays pieces of abstract art she and previous Wet Paint Project class attendees created at JBSA-Lackland’sGateway Club during Commander’s Call in August.

JBSA membersfind self-care,

healing throughWet Paint Project

By David DeKunder502ND AIR BASE WING

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

WET PAINT continues on 18

Marlo Bearden,Joint Base SanAntonio-Fort SamHouston violencepreventionintegrator, showsthe piece ofabstract art shecreated in theJBSA SexualAssault andResponsePreventionprogram self-careclass for sexualassault responsecoordinators,violencepreventionintegrators,Special Victims’Counsel, victimadvocates andvolunteer victimadvocates in July.


When they arrive at basictraining at Joint Base SanAntonio-Lackland, the newestmembers of the U.S. SpaceForce will see one of theirown wearing the distinctiveheadgear of a militarytraining instructor.

Sgt. Michelle Holt is thefirst member of the U.S.Space Force to complete themilitary training instructorcourse at JBSA-Lackland,Texas. While other MTIshave transferred into theU.S. Space Force, Holt is thefirst Guardian to be selectedfor, and graduate from, therigorous 35-day programfrom start to finish. Uponcompletion, her classmatesunanimously voted for her toreceive the class’ highesthonor.

“Holt is a stoicprofessional,” said Master SgtJarmeea Otten, commandantof the Military TrainingInstructor Schoolhouse. “Herpeers chose her to receive theCommandant’s Awardbecause she earned theirrespect with her selflessactions, commitment to thesuccess of the group, displayof professionalism, andconsistent positive attitude.”

Holt, a St. Louis, Missouri,native, spent her first eightyears in the Air Force as aspace systems operator beforetransferring into the USSF inSeptember 2020.

“I wouldn’t say I feltpressure, but I did feel a lot ofpride being given thisopportunity,” Holt said. “Iwanted to be an MTI because I

knew it would challenge me.”Holt will be one of the few

Guardians responsible forleading flights of both AirForce and Space Forcetrainees through BasicMilitary Training. Master Sgt.Phillip Lowery, Space Force’sBMT liaison officer, says thathaving one of their own incharge of their training has agreat impact on newGuardians.

“Identity is powerful.When you’re an MTI wearingblue name tapes, the newGuardians will hang on everylittle word you say, becausethere is so much that’sunknown to them about theirnew branch,” Lowery said.“And, they’ll be looking toyou to guide them.”

Prior to being selected asan MTI, Holt gainedexperience mentoring new

Airmen and Guardians as theFlight Chief for StudentAdministration at the 460thOperations Support Squadronat Buckley Space Force Base,Colorado.

“Before, my job was toguide Guardians and Airmenafter they finished technicaltraining, but being an MTIwill give me the opportunityto help them develop at thevery beginning of their

career,” Holt added. “I willhave the chance to reallyinstill pride and excellence inthem, and be one of the firstnoncommissioned officers tomake an impression onthem.”

Holt will be assigned to433rd Training Squadron foran additional 60 days ofon-the-job training before shebegins leading flights at BasicMilitary Training here.

U.S. Space Force Guardians helping shape future of force

By Staff Sgt. Kirsten BrandesAIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING

COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

COURTESY PHOTO /

Sgt. Michelle Holt (center) gathers for a photo with two fellow U.S. Space Force military training instructors on Aug. 6,2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Holt is the first Space Force Guardian to complete the MTI schoolhouse startto finish and garnered both the Commandant’s Award for Leadership as well as a “lean mean machine” award for herexcellent marching form.

“Holt is a stoic

professional. Her

peers chose her to

receive the

Commandant’s

Award because she

earned their

respect with her

selfless actions,

commitment to

the success of the

group, display of

professionalism,

and consistent

positive attitude.”Master Sgt Jarmeea Otten,

commandant of the Military Training Instructor

Schoolhouse


As he prepares to leave theposition he’s held since July2019, the command chief mastersergeant at the Air ForceInstallation and MissionSupport Center at Joint BaseSan Antonio-Lacklandreflected on the role he said hewas meant to take on.

“I tell folks that I was excitedto get to be the command chiefat AFIMSC because I have amission support background,”said Chief Master Sgt. EdwinLudwigsen, a career logistician,on the eve of heading to hisfollow-on assignment inSeptember to become chief ofthe Chief’s Group in the AirForce Senior LeaderManagement Office at thePentagon.

“We’ve been lucky these lasttwo years to have ChiefLudwigsen on the team,” saidAFIMSC Commander Maj.Gen. Tom Wilcox. “He’s our topenlisted leader and mywingman. Every single day, heis keeping me straight. We areabsolutely going to miss thisteammate as he moves on to hisnext assignment.”

Ludwigsen oversaw thehealth, welfare andprofessional development ofabout 3,900 Total Forcepersonnel and helped guide anintermediate-levelheadquarters responsible forproviding installation andmission support capabilities for78 Air Force and Space Forceinstallations with an annualbudget of $10 billion.

“First and foremost, takingcare of Airmen and families isthe most important thing we doto increase lethality andreadiness,” he said indescribing AFIMSC’soperations. “The second thing,I would say, is infrastructure.You look at what we do to notjust build but sustain the AirForce and Space Force powerprojection platform — that’slethality and readiness. That’swhat we bring to the fight each

and every day.”For Ludwigsen, navigating

COVID-19 will always be amilestone in his time atAFIMSC.

“I’ll never forget packing upmy things and going to workfrom home. I’ll never forgetthat day in 2020 when we gotthe stay-at-home order ataround lunchtime,” he said.“I’m packing up my computerand I’m going home to try andfigure out how to do this fromthe house. That pandemiccompletely reshaped how wehad to do business. Howremarkable it was to watch ourprofessionals meet thatchallenge and never skip a beat.We never stopped and in manyways, we got busier.”

During his tenure, the chiefwas heavily involved in severalsignificant quality-of-lifeprograms including officer andenlisted manpower studies,improvements in privatized

housing and child developmentcenters, and the Air Force’snew Office of the Futureinitiative.

“I honestly do not believethat there is a mission supportchallenge that IMSC cannottake care of,” Ludwigsen said.

Leading the Air Force inwhat post-pandemic flexibleoffice space can look like,AFIMSC will establish a newmodel for a telework and onsiteworkspace balance to optimizeresources, maintainconnectedness and quality oflife, and improve missioneffectiveness.

“I am proud of where we aregoing with respect to the Officeof the Future,” the chief said.“COVID-19 challenged us, andour Airmen responded. Whobetter than the Air ForceInstallation and MissionSupport Center to set thestandard for the Air Force andthe DOD going forward for

what right looks like for officespace? We are in the process ofredesigning our facilities toreduce the amount ofinfrastructure and savingmoney. We’re redefining whatthe office of the future lookslike, and we’re doing that righthere at AFIMSC.”

Ludwigsen said AFIMSCcould not deliver on its missionto deliver globally integratedinstallation and missionsupport across the enterprisewithout its Airmen.

“The Air Force cannotoperate without missionsupport Airmen,” he said.“Without fuel, pilots arepedestrians. Without AFIMSC,our organizations are not ableto execute.

“The most important Airmanis the one that you need rightnow. If I’m out-processing, themost important Airman I needis over in the (militarypersonnel flight) so I can get

out-processed. If I’m hungryand I need a meal, the mostimportant Airman is the one inthe dining facility getting readyto serve me food. That’s whatour Airmen do.”

To the AFIMSC Airmen withwhom Ludwigsen served, heleaves these words of advice.

“Keep in mind that, withevery position and every jobthat you’re in, you don’t alwayssee the value in it while you’redoing it,” he said. “It’s veryimportant that you give it yourbest, to execute at the highestlevel you can. Trust me, you’relearning something from it thatyou will take away and applysomewhere else in your life andin your career.

“That is invaluable, and intime, it will reshape the wayyou lead and the way you takecare of your Airmen and theirfamilies. Your perspective willchange — and that’s growth.Never lose sight of that.”

Departing AFIMSC command chief reflects on tenureBy Luke AllenAFIMSC PUBLIC AFFAIRS

LUKE ALLEN

Chief Master Sgt. Edwin Ludwigsen, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center command chief master sergeant,reflects on his tour of duty experiences during an exit interview with Andrew Billman, AFIMSC historian, on Aug. 19 atJoint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

“Keep in mind

that, with every

position and every

job that you’re in,

you don’t always

see the value in it

while you’re doing

it,” he said. “It’s

very important

that you give it

your best, to

execute at the

highest level you

can.”Chief Master Sgt. Edwin Ludwigsen


Sept. 11, 2021, marks the20th anniversary of thedevastating terrorist attacksthat changed Americaforever. It was a day thatwill live in the memories ofeveryone who saw ithappen. It was a day thatwill never be forgotten.

As the years pass by, thememories of the 2,996individuals who lost theirlives at the World TradeCenter, Pentagon, and inShanksville, Pennsylvania,continue to live on.

Maj. Jonathan Leetch, AirEducation TrainingCommand instructor pilotat Joint Base SanAntonio-Randolph, alongwith members of Air Forceauxiliary programs, willcommemorate the tragicevent by marching 100 milesfrom Joint BaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,New Jersey, to ground zeroin Manhattan, New YorkCity.

“The idea was originallyfounded by the Survival,Evasion, Resistance andEscape instructors at JointBaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst asa way to pay homage tothose lost in the 9/11attacks,” Leetch said. “It isalso to show respect to thefirst responders and ourbrothers and sistersoverseas.”

The participants will startthe march from Joint BaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst inthe early morning of Sept.10, carrying an Americanflag that was flown in

combat over Afghanistan.The march will be 100 milesand will take approximately30 to 35 hours for them toreach ground zero.

They will arrive at thememorial in the earlyevening of Sept. 11.

“Once we get to thememorial, we will presentthe flag to a 9/11 MemorialMuseum representative,”Leetch said. “The flag willbe flown over the memorialSept. 12.”

For Leetch, this marchhas other meaningfulpurposes.

“Do you remember howtogether we were after 9/11?The worst in humanitybrought out the best in ournation,” he said. “It didn’tmatter what color you were,where you came from, whatyour beliefs were, we wereall proud of being anAmerican. We put pettythings aside and pulledtogether in the samedirection. We need toremember what we werecapable of when we weren’tso divided.”

Leetch believes that thismarch will keep patriotismalive and help continue thestories of individuals whoare not alive to tell theirown.

“As Americans, we reallycannot forget whathappened on that day,” hesaid. “There are too manypeople not here with ustoday that deserve to havetheir stories told and to havetheir heroic and selflessactions live on forever.”

20th anniversary 9/11 memorial march pays homage to lives lost

By Dreshawn Murray502ND AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the 9/11 Memorial 100 Mile March arrive at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York, New York in 2019. Thisyear, Maj. Jonathan Leetch, Air Education Training Command instructor pilot, along with members of Air Force auxiliaryprograms, will commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 by marching 100 miles to ground zero from Joint BaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.


provides them an opportunity to be ableto build a project, not only individually,but collectively.”

Turner said JBSA members who havebeen able to show their art have helpedspread the message of awareness andprevention of sexual assault throughoutthe military community, and for thosewho have survived sexual assault, themessage of healing. She said by doingthis, these JBSA members have helpedto initiate conversations about sexualassault in the local community.

Master Sgt. Leona Guy, HeadquartersAir Force Installation and MissionSupport Center financial operationspolicy and procedures manager atJBSA-Lackland and volunteer victimadvocate, said being able to create herown piece of art as part of her SAPRtraining was a calming experience forher.

“It’s not difficult at all,” Guy said. “Atfirst I was, ‘I don’t know how to paint,’but I was very interested in it anyway.Once I did it, it was so much fun. It’sjust surprisingly refreshing.”

The work of abstract art Guy createdwas a blue-green color painting, whichrepresents the clear water of theCaribbean Sea that borders her nativeBelize. She said the painting gave her asense of calmness and reminded her ofwhere she came from.

“I really like the wet painting becauseit keeps people grounded in themoment,” Guy said. “When you’repainting and you’re turning the canvas,you have to be in that moment.Sometimes we get so caught up withwork and life that we forget to just enjoythe present.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class MatthewBellotte, Naval Medical TrainingSupport Center, Naval Military TrainingInstructor at JBSA-Fort Sam Houstonand volunteer victim advocate, saidlearning a self-care activity such aspainting reminded him about theimportance of taking care of himself.

“The paint event, in my eyes, wasgreat,” Bellotte said. “I have very littleartistic creativity, but I was able to makesomething amazing by just followingdirections, which gave me a briefreprieve from the day’s stressors.”

For information on participating inthe Wet Paint Project, call 210-336-3565.

COURTESY PHOTO

Master Sgt.Leona Guy,HeadquartersAir ForceInstallationand MissionSupportCenterfinancialoperationspolicy andproceduresmanager,works on apiece ofabstract artafter providingher sectionwith theirannual sexualassaulttraining, aspart of theJoint Base SanAntonioSexual AssaultPrevention andResponse, orSAPR,program.

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