Monday - May 6, 2024
Federal Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday January 28, 2024 ( 84 items )  

59th MDW: Office of the Chief Scientist, Science and Technology scores high with multiple presenters accepted at AsMA Annual Scientific Meeting
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The 59th Medical Wing, Office of the Chief Scientist, Science and Technology will have a strong showing at the 2024 Aerospace Medical Association Conference held in Chicago in May 2024. The Aerospace Medical Association, or AsMA, is international in both membership and scope of interest, providing opportunities to connect and exchange ideas with some  more

59th Medical Wing: Office of Chief Scientist, Science and Technology Scores High With Multiple Presenters Accepted at Aerospace Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The 59th Medical Wing, Office of the Chief Scientist, Science and Technology will have a strong showing at the 2024 Aerospace Medical Association Conference held in Chicago in May 2024. The Aerospace Medical Association, or AsMA, is international in both membership and scope of interest, providing opportunities to connect and exchange ideas with some of the world'  more

854th Combat Operations Squadron welcomes new commander
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Col. Shaun Zabel assumed command of the 854th Combat Operations Squadron, 960th Cyberspace Wing, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Annex, Texas, on Jan. 6, 2024.  As commander of the 854th COS, Zabel is responsible for the operations and staff activities for integrating Citizen Airmen with Sixteenth Air Force and the Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber mis  more

Acting Mass. U.S. Attorney: Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Receive 24 Kilos of Cocaine From a Mexican Drug Cartel Source
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: A Boston man has pleaded guilty to attempting to receive 24 kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution. Eddy Javier Guerrero, 31, pleaded guilty on Jan. 19, 2024 to one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2024. Guerrero was arre  more

Air Education & Training Command Airman Retires After 43-Year Air Force Career
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Ava Leone, AETC Public Affairs In seventh grade, Harry Reese met an Airman for the first time when a young man in Air Force uniform came to his front door to pick up his sister for a date. Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, near Fort Jackson. Reese had never heard of the Air Force before that moment. That was when he decided he would wear that blue unifor  more

Air Force Reserve Command IG completes final on-site visit to 340th FTG
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Air Force Reserve Command Inspector General's team completed its final on-site visit to the 340th Flying Training Group Jan. 16-19, 2024. The group was last inspected in 2018, outside of the normal two- to three-year inspection cycle, which is why the group earned an OSV in lieu of a Unit Effectiveness Ins  more

Approximately 40 Individuals Arrested in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Takedown
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: Jackson, Miss. - Approximately 40 individuals were arrested Tuesday pursuant to 10 federal indictments filed in the Southern District of Mississippi charging defendants from Lauderdale, Newton, Neshoba, Scott, and Jasper counties in Mississippi, as well as Mexico, California, Texas, and Alabama. The charges stem from a four-year federal inves  more

Army & Air Force Exchanges Help the Girl Scouts of USA Deliver Sweet Treats to Troops Overseas
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Keiana Holleman The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is bringing a taste of home to service members and their families overseas by delivering more than 228,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Girl Scouts of the USA councils at 40 military installations received the cookies in January to sell at booths in front of participating Exchange stores in Germany, Korea, Japan, Saipan and other countr  more

Army intelligence leader: 'Cultural shift' will help service become data centric
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: WASHINGTON - To better acquire and access data on the battlefield, the Army has revamped how it integrates data across warfighting functions, an Army intelligence leader said. To continue on its maturity path in fiscal year 2024, the Army needs a "cultural shift" to organically transform how the service uses data, said Army Intelligence Chief Data Of  more

Around the Air Force: Remembering Chief Gaylor, Cope North 24, virtual ID renewal
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Maryland - This week's look around the Air Force highlights the life and legacy of the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, a multinational exercise focuses on airborne integration in the Pacific and the DoD expands a pilot program to renew USID cards online. (Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Eric Mann) *** Ori  more

Astros Caravan makes stop at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - The Astros Caravan made a stop at the USO San Antonio Warrior & Family Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston June 19 to meet and share camaraderie with a group of service members. The Astros contingent included Astros players David Hensley and Grae Kessinger, as  more

Baby on board! Laughlin instructor pilot makes history with groundbreaking policy change
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Capt. Tabitha Letourneau, an 86th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, made history on Jan. 4, 2024, and became the first instructor pilot to fly with student pilots while pregnant at an Air Force pilot training base. "I was 27 weeks pregnant at the time of this flight," Letourn  more

BLM plans prescribed burn activities in Eddy County
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: CARLSBAD, N.M. -- Beginning in early February, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in Eddy County. Specifically, the BLM plans the operations in the Tecolote area between U.S. Highway 62/180 and U.S. Highway 285 near the Texas state line. The operations, which will continue through April, are weather dependent and will take several d  more

BLS - Southwest Region Issues Report Entitled 'Arkansas Job Openings and Labor Turnover - November 2023'
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 23 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Jan. 22, 2024, entitled "Arkansas Job Openings and Labor Turnover - November 2023": * * * Arkansas had 77,000 job openings in November 2023, compared to 81,000 openings in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the job open  more

BLS - Southwest Region Issues Report Entitled 'Louisiana Job Openings and Labor Turnover - November 2023'
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 23 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Jan. 22, 2024, entitled "Louisiana Job Openings and Labor Turnover - November 2023": * * * Louisiana had 112,000 job openings in November 2023, compared to 122,000 openings in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the job   more

Brig. Gen. William Kale, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Commander, Visits Goodfellow AFB
GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Air Force Goodfellow Air Force Base (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D'Errico, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Kale, Air Force Civil Engineer Center commander, Chief Master Sgt. Edward Fitzgerald, AFCEC senior enlisted leader and AFCEC leadership members visited Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, on Jan. 18. As the AFCEC commander, Kale leads a 2,200-person organization r  more

BUMED Force Master Chief visits Medical Education and Training Campus
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Force Master Chief PatrickPaul Mangaran, director, Hospital Corps, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, joined by Master Chiefs Hospital Corpsman Hansen LaFoucade, deputy director, Hospital Corps, and Leslie Giuy, lead hospital corpsman planner, met with leadership and academic staff of the Defense  more

CBP Officers Seize Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marijuana
EL PASO, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry intercepted a combined 291 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana in the span of one week. "CBP officers continue to perform their mission with vigilance and professionalism," said CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. "They are able to maint  more

CBP Officers Stop Multiple Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Body Carriers
EL PASO, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing encountered individuals attempting to smuggle fentanyl and methamphetamine concealed internally within their bodies on four separate incidents. "This is an exceptionally dangerous practice and could be lethal if the drug packaging were to rupture during a smuggling episode  more

Corpus Man on Supervision for Firearms Charge Imprisoned for Drug Stash Found at Home
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 36-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Phil Cuellar III aka Tex pleaded guilty Aug. 7, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now sentenced him to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised r  more

Customs & Border Protection: Woman Dies Following Fall From International Border Barrier Near Clint, Texas
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release on Jan. 23, 2024: On November 18, 2023, at approximately 3:31 p.m., a Border Patrol agent assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol Clint Station in Clint, Texas, while operating a Mobile Video Surveillance System, observed one person on top of the International Border Barrier and two others north of the barrier exiting a drainage canal located approximately 6.76 miles sout  more

DEA Administrator names Towanda R. Thorne-James as El Paso SAC
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: EL PASO - The Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Division has a new Special Agent in Charge (SAC). On Sept. 11, 2023, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram named Towanda R. Thorne-James as the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the El Paso Division, which serves New Mexico and West Texas. Thorne-James reported to El Paso in December 2023.   more

DEA-Houston: Corpus Man on Supervision for Firearms Charge Imprisoned for Drug Stash Found at Home
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release: A 36-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Phil Cuellar III aka Tex pleaded guilty Aug. 7, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now sentenced him to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Cuellar had been on super  more

DEA-Houston: Former Physician is Sentenced to 30 Months After Conviction for Diverting Prescription Opioids
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release on Jan. 25, 2024: A former San Antonio doctor was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with others to dispense controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. According to court documents, Paul Silva, 48, admitted that he unlawfully and fraudulently issued more than 500 prescriptions for more than 40,000   more

DEA-New Orleans Division: Approximately 40 Individuals Arrested in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Takedown
JACKSON, Mississippi, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration's New Orleans Division issued the following news release on Jan. 24, 2024: Approximately 40 individuals were arrested Tuesday pursuant to 10 federal indictments filed in the Southern District of Mississippi charging defendants from Lauderdale, Newton, Neshoba, Scott, and Jasper counties in Mississippi, as well as Mexico, California, Texas, and Alabama. The charges stem from a four-year federal investi  more

DEA-St. Louis: Semi Driver Caught With 88 Pounds of Illegal Drugs Sentenced to 12 Years
EAST ST. LOUIS, Illinois, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division issued the following news release: A district judge sentenced a semi-truck driver to 12 years in federal prison after he admitted to hauling 88 pounds of heroin, fentanyl, meth and cocaine through southern Illinois. Ledaniel Russell, 50, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: heroin, fentanyl, meth and coc  more

Deadline Approaching in Texas for SBA Working Capital Loans Due to Severe Storms, Thunderstorms, Large Hail, Straight-Line Winds
SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 23 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2024: Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience today reminded Texas small businesses of the Feb. 22, 2024, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by severe storms, thunderstorms, large hail and straight-line winds in Hidalgo County that occurred April 28, 202  more

Deadline Approaching in Texas for SBA Working Capital Loans Due to Severe Storms, Tornado
SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 27 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on Jan. 26, 2024: Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience today reminded Texas small businesses of the Feb. 26, 2024, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by severe storms and a tornado in Cameron County that occurred May 13, 2023. According to Sanchez, small nonfarm  more

DHS Secretary Mayorkas Issues Remarks to #WinterReady Extreme Cold Summit
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following remarks on Jan. 26, 2024, by Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas to the #WinterReady Extreme Cold Summit: * * * In Cooke County, Texas, the historical average low temperature in January is 40 degrees. Last Wednesday, it never got above 23 degrees, and it dropped down to nine degrees overnight. This meant that a number of local families, whose homes did not have the central heating or insulation necessary to withst  more

DOD awards more than $55 million for base energy efficiency projects
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: WASHINGTON - Administration officials have announced more than $55 million in new federal grants for Defense Department projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and resilience at installations across the globe. The funds will support eight projects at Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Washington headquarters service  more

DOD Cyber Crime Center: Battle looming between AI and counter-AI
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: ARLINGTON, Virginia - The Defense Department is just at the start of using artificial intelligence. Peer competitors are as well, said Jude R. Sunderbruch, executive director of the DOD Cyber Crime Center, who spoke Jan. 25 at the Google Defense Forum in Arlington, Virginia. Sunderbruch predicted that in the future, there will be   more

DOD, Coast Guard Civilians Shop Tax-Free With the Army & Air Force Exchange Service
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Keiana Holleman The Army & Air Force Exchange Service continues to serve military communities with its expanded tax-free shopping benefit to Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians. In 2021, in-store and online shopping privileges were expanded to about 575,000 Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians who hold Common Access Cards in the U.S., its territories and possessions.  more

End of an Era: 173rd Fighter Wing Trains the Last F-15 Eagle Instructor Pilots
KINGSLEY FIELD, Oregon, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Master Sgt. Jefferson Thompson, 173rd Fighter Wing The journey begins at Undergraduate Pilot Training or maybe long, long before, but for this account an Air Force pilot starts the road to the cockpit at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, in the T-6 Texan, a 1,200 horsepower propeller-driven trainer. From there, they have to find their way in a T-38 supersonic jet trainer, if t  more

Expert offers tips on how to avoid scams, keep online data private
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: WASHINGTON - Soldiers, veterans and their family members can keep their identities safe, minimize their online footprint and avoid scams by leveraging password complexity, using a password manager, separating work and personal accounts and enabling two-factor authentication. Data privacy is how people's information is traded and sold in the marketing  more

Explore what TRICARE covers
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - TRICARE offers comprehensive coverage to help you get and stay healthy. Knowing what's included in this coverage can help you make the most of your benefit and avoid unexpected costs. Here's how to find out about your TRICARE coverage for medical and pharmacy services. Find covered health services You ca  more

FCC Media Bureau Issues Order on Wiley College
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following order (FRN No. 0013202617) on Jan. 23, 2024: * * * In re Application of Wiley College, For Renewal of License for Station KBWC(FM), Marshall, Texas ORDER By the Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau: 1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into by the Media Bureau (Bureau) and Wiley College (Licensee), the licensee for Station KBWC(FM), Marshall, Texas (Station). The Consent  more

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas: Announcing New Community Development Special Finance Program Pilot
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following member bulletin (No. B2024-02) on Jan. 26, 2024: * * * The Community Development Special Finance Program (CDSFP) pilot was created by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) to increase member support for single-family housing lending activity. Through the pilot, the Bank will provide a more favorable haircut to members who pledge single-family resident  more

For service members, access to mental health care streamlined under Brandon Act
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: WASHINGTON - Last year, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness signed policy implementing within the Defense Department and across the military services the requirements laid out under the Brandon Act. Within the DOD and military services, the Brandon Act allows service members to request a mental health evalua  more

Fort Riley Contracting Soldiers Supporting Project Convergence 24
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news: By Daniel P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs Office Soldiers from the 923rd Contracting Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas, are playing a vital role in the execution of contracts supporting the Army's acquisition needs in preparation for Project Convergence 2024. Project Convergence Capstone 4 is an Army-hosted transformation experiment advan  more

Fort Riley Contracting Soldiers Supporting Project Convergence 24
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command issued the following news: By Daniel P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs Office Soldiers from the 923rd Contracting Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas, are playing a vital role in the execution of contracts supporting the Army's acquisition needs in preparation for Project Convergence 2024. Project Convergence Capstone 4 is an Army-hosted transf  more

Four reminders about getting care with TRICARE For Life
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - Whether you're new to TRICARE For Life (TFL) or you've had it for years, you may have questions about getting care with TFL. TFL is Medicare-wraparound coverage for military retirees and their family members who are TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare is your primary health cover  more

From No Electricity to Three Stars: A Q&A With Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following Q&A with Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg: By Robert Philpot On April 27, Fort Lee was renamed Fort Gregg-Adams, in honor of Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams, two barrier-breaking Black Army officers who excelled in sustainment operations. For Gregg, it was meaningful recognition that brought his professional journey full circle: As a young officer, he served at the post beginning in 1950. When he   more

Gang member sent back to prison for drug trafficking related-conviction following multiagency investigation involving HSI Corpus Christi
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- A gang member with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison Jan. 24 for drug trafficking-related charges following a multiagency investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Corpus Christi; Drug Enforcement Administration Houston; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and   more

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Laughlin AFB Improvements With Exchange Renovations, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Tour
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Team XL hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Shopping Center update on Jan. 19, 2024. This project contributes to the 47th Flying Training Wing's ongoing initiatives for quality of life enhancements for service members and their families. Th  more

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Laughlin Improvements With Exchange Renovations, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Tour
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Team XL hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Shopping Center update on Jan. 19, 2024. This project contributes to the 47th Flying Training Wing's ongoing initiatives for quality-of-life enhancements for service members and their families. The renovation, val  more

Ill. U.S. Attorney: Semi Driver Caught With 40 Kilograms of Illegal Drugs Sentenced to Federal Prison
EAST ST. LOUIS, Illinois, Jan. 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A district judge sentenced a semitrailer driver to 12 years in federal prison after he admitted to hauling nearly 40 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, meth and cocaine through southern Illinois. Ledaniel Russell, 50, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: heroin, fentanyl, meth and c  more

Justice Dept.: Michigan Medical Provider Convicted of Aggravated Identity Theft
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2024: A federal jury convicted a Michigan businessman today of aggravated identity theft for placing the name and address of another man with the same name in legal documents to avoid a settlement payment of more than $6 million. According to documents and evidence presented at trial, Hassan Kamal Fayad, of Dearborn, operated three medical practices and a transportation business. To fund busines  more

Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Migrants Stuck Inside a Storm Drain
LAREDO, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release on Jan. 23, 2024: Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working their assigned duties rescued migrants found inside a storm drain. On Jan. 22, Border Patrol agents while working their assigned duties received a call from Laredo Police Department on a situation near the World Trade Bridge. When agents arrived, they noticed several migrants stuck inside a storm drain,  more

Leaders join forces to improve health care access for military recruiters, families
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - To ensure the greatest outreach, the military often locates its recruiters and their families close to communities with eligible youth, but far from the peer support and health care resources of an installation. To help fill this gap in support, leaders from the Air Force Recruiting Service, Defense Health Age  more

Leaders Join Forces to Improve Health Care Access for Military Recruiters, Families
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Elaine Sanchez, 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs To ensure the greatest outreach, the military often locates its recruiters and their families close to communities with eligible youth, but far from the peer support and health care resources of an installation. To help fill this gap in support, leaders from the Air Force Recruiting Service, Defense Health Agenc  more

Leadership San Antonio visits JBSA
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Nearly 30 members from Leadership San Antonio toured numerous areas around Joint Base San Antonio on Jan. 18. Senior military leaders on JBSA provided San Antonio community leaders with an interactive military experience to give them a better understanding of the JBSA mission. Leadership San Antonio -- a jointly-spons  more

Litigation: SEC Charges Financial Advisor With Fraud for Stealing From Account Holders to Pay Personal Expenses
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 3:24-CV-00027; W.D. Texas filed Jan. 24, 2024) involving Jesus Rodriguez: * * * The Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday charged Jesus Rodriguez, a former financial advisor, with fraud for misappropriating more than $3.475 million from ten brokerage account holders and advisory clients. The SEC's complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2024/comp25932.pdf) alleg  more

Military Health System stabilization: Rebuilding health care access critical to patient's well-being
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - The Defense Department is on a mission to get the right people into the right military hospital or clinic at the right time -- both medical staff and patients. On Dec. 6, 2023, the deputy secretary of defense signed a memo directing the stabilization of the Military Health System. The memo requires tha  more

Military Training Instructor excels in Joint Service drill sergeant exchange program
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: In the dynamic realm of military training, Staff Sgt. Karina Flores, an Air Force Military Training Instructor, recently participated in a drill sergeant exchange program with the U.S. Army.  Known for its extreme competitiveness, Flores competed against nominees from various branches, facing a rigorous board consisting of five chief master sergeant  more

Miss. U.S. Attorney: Approximately 40 Individuals Arrested in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Takedown
JACKSON, Mississippi, Jan. 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi issued the following news release on Jan. 23, 2024: Approximately 40 individuals were arrested today pursuant to 10 federal indictments filed in the Southern District of Mississippi charging defendants from Lauderdale, Newton, Neshoba, Scott, and Jasper counties in Mississippi, as well as Mexico, California, Texas, and Alabama. The charges stem from a four-year federal investigation of mult  more

Navy updates pregnancy policy to help Sailors balance personal, professional goals
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: MILLINGTON, Tennessee - NAVADMIN 006/24 announced that Sailors who become pregnant during sea duty will be reassigned to shore duty where they can receive necessary medical care while maintaining their career progression. "This policy is about taking care of our people," said Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, commander, Navy Personnel Command  more

OSHA Recognizes Army Field Support Battalion-Cavazos Again for Maintaining Excellence in Worker Safety
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command issued the following news: By Samantha Harms, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs Safety officers and leadership from across the Army Field Support Battalion-Cavazos came together Dec. 15, 2023, to celebrate being recertified as a Star participant in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA, Voluntary Protection Program, or VPP. Safety officers from across AFSBn-Cavazos celebrated their recertification with cake, i  more

San Antonio dentist sentenced to 30 years for producing child sexual abuse material following HSI, local partner investigation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: SAN ANTONIO -- A Texas man was sentenced Jan. 25 to 30 years in federal prison for his role in the production of child sexual abuse material following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with help from state and local law enforcement agencies. Abiel Alejandro Saldivar, 33, of San Antonio, was sentenced by a federal judge to 36  more

Semi Driver Caught With 88 Pounds of Illegal Drugs Sentenced to 12 Years
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A district judge sentenced a semi-truck driver to 12 years in federal prison after he admitted to hauling 88 pounds of heroin, fentanyl, meth and cocaine through southern Illinois. Ledaniel Russell, 50, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: her  more

Senior Enlisted Leaders Convene at the Army Medicine Sergeants Major Summit
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Jose E. Rodriguez, MEDCoE Public Affairs Sergeants Major from across the Army Medicine enterprise convened at a four-day summit hosted by the U. S. Army Medical Center of Excellence on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, January 16-19. More than 170 chief medical non-commissioned officers, also known by their military occupational specialty as 68Z, discussed the U.S. Army's shift from brigade-cen  more

Sheppard AFB Hosts XR Working Group
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: By Julie Svoboda, 82d Training Wing The 82d Training Wing hosted the Logistics XR Strategy Working Group for classes and an immersive tour here which highlighted benefits and best practices of using extended reality technologies in training the world's best Airmen. Instructors in multiple courses at the 82d TRW have embraced XR training, which includes virtual and augmented reality concepts, bec  more

Sheppard AFB Hosts XR Working Group
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Julie Svoboda, 82d Training Wing The 82d Training Wing hosted the Logistics XR Strategy Working Group for classes and an immersive tour here which highlighted benefits and best practices of using extended reality technologies in training the world's best Airmen. Instructors in multiple courses at the 82d TRW have embraced XR training, which includes virtual and augmented reality  more

Sheppard AFB: 82nd Training Wing Executes $8.3M for Training Modernization in Three Days
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: By George Woodward, 82nd Training Wing A team effort by the 82nd Contracting Squadron, the 82nd Comptroller Squadron and squadron resource advisors enabled the wing to award about $8.3 million in technical training transformation contracts in just three business days. 2nd Air Force approved the projects Jan. 18, and worked with Air Education and Training Command to transfer the funds under Conti  more

Soldier Accounted for from Korean War (Crayton, T.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency issued the following news release: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Master Sgt. Thomas Crayton, 28, of Austin, Texas, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Sep. 26, 2023. In Nov. 1950, Crayton was a member of Alpha Battery, 503rd Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He went missing in action and captured by enemy forces af  more

Stage 2 water restrictions implemented across Joint Base San Antonio
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The recent rains brought some relief which allows JBSA to slightly relax the water restrictions from Stage 3 to Stage 2. As of Jan. 26, 2024, Joint Base San Antonio military officials have issued Stage 2 water restrictions at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Lackland. Designated waterin  more

Statement of United States Attorney Todd Gee Regarding the Arrests in East Mississippi of Over 30 Persons for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms Possession, and Other Crimes
JACKSON, Mississippi, Jan. 24 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, Todd W. Gee, issued the following statement on Jan. 23, 2023: * * * "I am Todd Gee, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi. Today we are announcing the arrests of approximately 40 individuals, who are being charged in 10 federal indictments of large-scale drug trafficking crimes that occurred throughout East Mississippi with connections to Mexico, California, Texas, Alabama  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Corpus Man on Supervision for Firearms Charge Imprisoned for Drug Stash Found at Home
HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 36-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Phil Cuellar III aka Tex pleaded guilty Aug. 7, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now sentenced him to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Cuellar had been on supervised release for  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Combined 21 Years in Prison
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas issued the following news release: Three defendants have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Brian Daniel Ramirez, 45, Rodney Leon Dunn, 63, and Robby Layne Dunn, 62, were indicted for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance in   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Former Physician is Sentenced to 30 Months After Conviction for Diverting Prescription Opioids
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A former San Antonio doctor was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with others to dispense controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. According to court documents, Paul Silva, 48, admitted that he unlawfully and fraudulently issued more than 500 prescriptions for more than 40,000 dosage units of controlled   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Houston Dental Clinic Operator Convicted in $6M Pediatric Fraud Scheme
HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 68-year-old man has pleaded guilty in a $6 million Medicaid fraud and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Rene Gaviola was the operator of Floss Family Dental Care clinic located in Houston. From 2018 until April 2021, Gaviola admitted to submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid for pediatric dental services, including numerous cavity filli  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Kermit Man Sentenced for Distribution of Methamphetamine
PECOS, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A Kermit man was sentenced this week in federal court in Pecos to 115 months in prison for possession and distribution of methamphetamine and an additional 24 months in prison for a supervised release violation stemming from a felon in possession charge he was sentenced for in 2022 in Midland. According to court documents, Brian Lee McGill, 43, while serving a term of   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Local Gang Member Imprisoned for Trafficking Over 900 Grams of Heroin and Various Narcotics
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 28-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced following his conviction of drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Arturo Bazan pleaded guilty Nov. 14, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Arturo Bazan to serve 228 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the h  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Mexican Mafia Gang Member Heads Back to Prison for Illegal Firearm
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm while a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alonso Guerrero Garcia pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Garcia to serve 120 months in prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised rele  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: New Mexico Man Sentenced to More Than 27 Years in Prison for Cocaine Distribution
PECOS, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: An Anthony, NM, man was sentenced this week to 327 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine. According to court documents, Gilberto Hernandez, aka "G", 30, was the leader of the Hernandez drug trafficking organization (DTO). From August 2021 until November 2022, the Hernandez DTO trafficked approximately 58 kilos of cocai  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Bribery Charges
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A San Antonio man pleaded guilty yesterday to charges stemming from two separate indictments - one charging fraud and the other charging bribery. According to court documents, Javor McCoy, 42, while trying to avoid a civil court appearance in Dallas, transmitted a criminal summons to an employee with the Dallas County Court showing he had to appear in court for a   more

U.S. Army Medical Command welcomes 46th Army Surgeon General
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle relinquished his position as the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command to Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre in a ceremony hosted by Gen. Randy George, Army Chief of Staff, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston on Jan. 25.   more

U.S. Army Medical Command Welcomes 46th Army Surgeon General
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Joseph Kumzak, Army Medicine Public Affairs Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle relinquished his position as the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command to Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre in a ceremony hosted by Gen. Randy George, Army Chief of Staff, on Jan. 25. Dingle was sworn in as the 45th Surgeon General in September 2019 and assumed command of the U.S. Army Medical Command  more

U.S. B-1B Lancers Conduct Air-to-Air Refueling Training With Republic of Singapore Air Force
PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: Two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Jan. 18, as part of the United States Air Force's regular training and engagements with key partners in the region. The B-1B will conduct air-to-air refueling training with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Int  more

U.S. B-1B Lancers Conduct Air-to-Air Refueling Training With Republic of Singapore Air Force
PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Strategic Command issued the following news: Two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Jan. 18, as part of the United States Air Force's regular training and engagements with key partners in the region. The B-1B will conduct air-to-air refueling training with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Inte  more

U.S. Coast Guard: Rollin Fritch -- Silver Star Hero of Attack Transport Callaway
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news: By PAC Corinne Zilnicki, Coast Guard PADET Texas supervisor The Long Blue Line blog series has been publishing Coast Guard history essays for over 15 years. To access hundreds of these service stories, visit the Coast Guard Historian's Office's Long Blue Line online archives, located here: THE LONG BLUE LINE (uscg.mil) An imposing convoy of warships cut through the waters of the Lingayen   more

U.S. Congressman recognizes Navy Chiefs for taking care of one of their own
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - "By experience, by performance, and by testing, you have been advanced to chief petty officer. In the United States Navy - and only in the United States Navy - the rank of E7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are expected to fulfill and bound to observe" - an  more

U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia: Ethiopian University Leaders Share Best Practices From U.S. Exchange Experiences
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia issued the following news release: Over the last two years, 50 university presidents and vice presidents from 37 Ethiopian public universities have traveled to the United States to examine the leadership, management, and governance practices of leading U.S. public universities including Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State Universities. The goal of the two-week study experiences in 2022 and 2023 was to provide the participatin  more

U.S. EMBASSY IN MEXICO: U.S. REPRESENTATIVE VERONICA ESCOBAR VISITS THE U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL IN CIUDAD JUAREZ
MEXICO CITY, Mexico, Jan. 27 -- The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued the following news release on Jan. 26, 2024: The United States Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez was pleased to welcome U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, from Texas' 16th Congressional District, on January 26 for constructive conversations about regional economic prosperity; cross-border security; and legal, safe, and orderly migration pathways. Rep. Escobar toured the Consulate's facilities, which include the world's large  more

Volunteers needed for Basura Bash annual Salado Creek Park cleanup Feb. 17
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Jan. 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Rain or shine, at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, Feb. 17, 2024, we will once again meet up at Salado Creek Park at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston to participate in the annual Basura Bash. The Basura Bash is a one-day all-volunteer-run event where people all around San Antonio participate in remov  more