Saturday - September 7, 2024
Federal Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday May 19, 2024 ( 62 items )  

10th annual U.S.-Peru Army Staff Talks synchronize future engagements, promote continuous transformation
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: U.S. Army South hosted the 10th annual Peru-U.S. Army Staff Talks on May 9 at U.S. Army South Headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where delegations from both armies reviewed 46 agreed-to-actions that outline future engagements and continuous transformation efforts that will take place over the next three years. The U.S. Arm  more

1AD Artillery Soldier Wins Prestigious Gruber Award
FORT BLISS, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Army Forces Command issued the following news: By Justin Smith Every year, Soldiers within the field artillery community are nominated by their commands for the Edmund L. Gruber Award to recognize them for their innovations that resulted in significant contributions to enhance the Field Artillery's warfighting functions, morale, readiness, and maintenance. This year, a 1st Armored Division warrant officer took the title. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Calvin Cam  more

502nd ABW Honorary Commanders tour 59th TSS at JBSA-Camp Bullis
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Honorary Commanders for the 502nd Air Base Wing toured JBSA-Camp Bullis and the 59th Training Support Squadron on May 3, 2024. The Honorary Commanders program selects civic leaders from the local community to serve a two-year term. During their tenure, they gain insights into the 502nd ABW's missions and the variety of operations supported across Joi  more

87th Flying Training Squadron Welcomes New Commander
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, May 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen, 47th Flying Training Wing 87th Flying Training Squadron Airmen bid farewell to Lt. Col. Christopher Johansson, prior commander of the 87th FTS, and welcomed new commander Lt. Col. Johnathan Radtke, during a change of command ceremony here, May 9, 2024. Col. James Blech, 47th Operations Group commander, presided over the ceremony, noting the pivotal rol  more

AETC nuclear integration team lays foundation for unit personnel reliability assurance programs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: As part of Air Education and Training Command's support of the nation's nuclear deterrence strategy, personnel from across the U.S. Air Force attended the 4th annual AETC Personnel Reliability Assurance Program (PRAP) Workshop in San Antonio May 14-16, 2024. Hosted by the HQ AETC/A3/6 Nuclear Integration branch, the event was an educational and intera  more

AFCLC Culture Guide App 3.0 gives users an improved experience
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Air Force Culture and Language Center has improved its signature Culture Guide App to optimize individual performance by transforming each user's education experience. The new version of the app introduces more functionality and a better user experience. Culture Guide App 3.0 allows Airmen to receive credit for learning about other countries' cult  more

Agricultural Marketing Service: USDA Issues Default Decision Against Michael 'Brent' Wagner for Violating Packers & Stockyards Act
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service issued the following news release on May 16, 2024: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Michael "Brent" Wagner of Goldthwaite, Texas, on Feb. 28, 2024, for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. An investigation by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that from April through September 2020, Wagner en  more

Air Education & Training Command Nuclear Integration Team Lays Foundation for Unit Personnel Reliability Assurance Programs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, May 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Dan Hawkins, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs As part of Air Education and Training Command's support of the nation's nuclear deterrence strategy, personnel from across the U.S. Air Force attended the 4th annual AETC Personnel Reliability Assurance Program (PRAP) Workshop in San Antonio May 14-16, 2024. Hosted by the HQ AETC/A3/6 Nuclear Integr  more

Airman Accelerators Become Agents of Change
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, May 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Julie Svoboda, 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs The Airman Accelerator Program challenges 82nd Training Wing students to identify issues that negatively impact training, procedures, or quality of life and then propose a solution. The 82nd Training Wing started the AAP in May 2023. Since then, 25 Airmen in Training have been certified as Airmen Accelerators. "The Airmen Accelerat  more

Army Corps of Engineers: Modified Central City Project Receives $20M in FY 2024 Work Plan
FORT WORTH, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Fort Worth District issued the following news release: On May 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered its Fiscal Year 2024 Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program to Congress. The USACE, Fort Worth District's Modified Central City project received an additional $20M to continue the design of the project, which will include Samuels Avenue Dam, Marine Creek Dam and Channel Expansion, West Fork Maintenance/Pedestrian Bridge,   more

Army implements enhanced security measures for data
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: In a strategic move to bolster data security and protect against evolving cyber threats, the U.S. Army announces significant changes to access protocols for Army 365 services. With the maturation of remote capabilities and the introduction of more secure alternatives such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Hypori, the Army is prioritizing the safeguarding of  more

Army Names MICC Leader 2023 Contracting Professional of the Year
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command issued the following news: By Daniel P. Elkins Service officials recognized the deputy director of contracting at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as the 2023 Army Contracting Professional of the Year in Support of Small Business Programs during a May 2 ceremony for promoting the utilization of small business to the maximum extent possible in government contracting. Kimberly Buehler, d  more

BLS - Southwest Region Issues Report Entitled 'Consumer Price Index, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Area - April 2024'
DALLAS, Texas, May 16 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on May 15, 2024, entitled "Consumer Price Index, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Area - April 2024": * * * Area prices rose 0.8 percent in March and April, up 2.9 percent over the year * * * Prices in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), advanced 0.8 perce  more

CBP movera barreras de hormigon para facilitar el flujo de trafico alrededor de proyecto de reemplazo de drenaje en el Puente Juarez-Lincoln
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas- Para ayudar a facilitar mejor el flujo de trafico en direccion norte en el Puente Juarez-Lincoln durante un proyecto de reemplazo de drenaje de la ciudad de Laredo en los carriles en direccion norte del lado estadounidense, CBP colocara temporalmente barreras de concreto para ajustar el patron de flujo de trafico alrededor del proyecto. "Para facilita  more

CBP officers seize $5.4M in methamphetamine at Pharr International Bridge
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: PHARR, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry recently seized more than $5.4 million in methamphetamine in a single enforcement action. "This large seizure illustrates the dedication of our frontline officers to CBP's border security mission and their effective utilization of inspectio  more

CBP officers seize over $240K in unreported currency at Pharr International Bridge
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: PHARR, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry this weekend seized $247,500 in unreported currency hidden within a vehicle during an outbound examination. "CBP officers conduct outbound enforcement operations to protect against unreported exportations of bulk U.S. currency, which often can be proceeds from alleged  more

CBP to move concrete barriers to facilitate traffic flow around drainage replacement project at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas- To help better facilitate northbound traffic flow at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge during a City of Laredo drainage replacement project in the northbound lanes on the U.S. side, CBP will be temporarily placing concrete barriers to adjust the traffic flow pattern around the project. "In order to facilitate this project and not impede the drying/curing of concr  more

CFTC Charges Agridime and Its Co-Founders with a Fraudulent Cattle Scheme
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following enforcement news release: --The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced it filed a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against ,a Texas corporation,andits co-founders,of Gilbert, Arizonaand of Ft. Worth, Texas. The complaint alleges the defendants engaged in a scheme to defraud thousands of customers in at least 14 states by soliciting, accepting,  more

Corps Compass Mentorship Program prepares future sergeants major for leadership
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, May 15 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: FORT BLISS, Texas - While many skills can be learned in the classroom, and some can be learned through trial and error, others are best learned through advice from those who have experience-based knowledge to draw from. To this end, the Corps Compass program was developed to pass on skills and knowledge from Senior Enlisted Leaders. The program aims to improve leader engagement and  more

DAF announces changes to allowances for Airmen, Guardians with dependents attending training
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Beginning May 7, Airmen and Guardians with dependents executing a permanent change of station to a professional military education or training location are now authorized to collect per diem in the amount of the basic allowance for housing without-dependent rate. Airmen and Guardians may collect this per diem if they are at the training location for le  more

DAF e-Learning adds Microsoft Teams App
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Access to industry-curated training and digital content is now available to all Airmen and Guardians with the launch of the DAF e-Learning (DAFeL) Percipio Microsoft Teams application, Air Education and Training Command officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph announced on May 15. The effort is part of the command's deliberate development and inst  more

DEA-St. Louis: Missouri Residents Indicted in Cocaine Conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, May 16 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division issued the following news release: Three southwest Missouri residents are among five defendants indicted for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy after federal agents seized 16 kilograms of cocaine while arresting two co-defendants in Texas. Mario Jose Castillo, 55, of Springfield, Mo.; Christhian Eduardo Cruz-Pineda, 22, a citizen of Honduras residing in Springfield; Johnath  more

Department of the Air Force E-Learning Adds Microsoft Teams App
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, May 17 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Dan Hawkins, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs Access to industry-curated training and digital content is now available to all Airmen and Guardians with the launch of the DAF e-Learning Percipio Microsoft Teams application, Air Education and Training Command officials announced May 15. The effort is part of the command's deliberate development and installation of IT systems that   more

FCC Media Bureau Issues Letter on City of Henrietta, Clay County, Texas
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following letter (Docket No. DA 24-452) on May 13, 2024: * * * To: City of Henrietta - Clay County - Texas c/o John Payatakis, 113 N. Graham St., Henrietta, TX 76365, messymerry@gmail.com Re: City of Henrietta - Clay County - Texas, New LPFM, Henrietta, Texas, Petition for Reconsideration Dear Applicant: We have before us a Petition for Reconsideration (Petition)/1 filed by City of Henrietta - Clay County   more

IBWC maintenance leads to temporary suspension of CBP operations at Amistad Dam international crossing
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: DEL RIO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protections, Office of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, will temporarily suspend operations at Amistad Dam crossing in support of International Boundary and Water Commission performing routine maintenance. Effective on Monday, May 20, 2024, the Amistad Dam International crossing, located on Texas Spur 349 in Del Rio, T  more

JBSA celebrates Army birthday with Operation HOOAH
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Families across Joint Base San Antonio are invited to celebrate the U.S. Army's 249th birthday by participating in Operation HOOAH June 12, 2024. The event, which will occur in two phases, is open to all JBSA families and is being hosted by the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center. The first phase of the event will be a mock dep  more

JBSA named one of six Air Task Force locations in support of USAF Units of Action
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Department of the Air Force identified six locations on May 15, to host experimental Air Task Forces that will test new methods to generate more efficient, integrated deployable Units of Action. As part of a pilot program, the following installations are expected to receive an ATF command echelon this summer, pending the successful completion of t  more

JBSA observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Joint Base San Antonio is observing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, or AAPIHM, which continues through May 31. This observance celebrates the service and sacrifices of Asian/Pacific Islanders throughout the United States. Examples of their service and sacrifices highlighting World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq can be viewed at   more

Laredo Sector Border Patrol recognizes May's Youth of the Month
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas - Laredo Sector Border Patrol announces the honorees of the Youth of the Month program. The program is designed to honor and incentivize academic excellence throughout Laredo. On May 14, Laredo Sector Border Patrol and community program partners honored the 11 seniors selected from Laredo area high schools with the distinguished Laredo Sector Border  more

Laughlin AFB: 87th Flying Training Squadron Welcomes New Commander
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, May 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen, 47th Flying Training Wing 87th Flying Training Squadron Airmen bid farewell to Lt. Col. Christopher Johansson, prior commander of the 87th FTS, and welcomed new commander Lt. Col. Johnathan Radtke, during a change of command ceremony here, May 9, 2024. Col. James Blech, 47th Operations Group commander, presided over the ceremony, notin  more

Laughlin AFB: 96th Flying Training Squadron Welcomes New Commander
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Senior Airman Kailee Reynolds, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs 96th Flying Training Squadron Airmen bid farewell to Lt. Col. Christine Van Weezendonk and welcomed the new commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Calhoun, during a change of command ceremony here, May 10, 2024. Col. Michael McMillan, 340th Flying Training Group director of operations, presided over the   more

Military Personnel & Civilian Employees Claims Act May Help Offset Hail Damage Repair Costs
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas, May 13 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: According to the local National Weather Service, hailstorms are a common occurrence and are more likely to occur during the months of March through early June than any other time of year. However, when such a storm occurs it can cause substantial damage. While we can't predict when hailstorms will occur, we can ensure our personal property is protected by maintaining the proper insurance coverage.  more

Military spouses enable readiness
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, May 15 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: FORT BLISS, Texas - The U.S. Army defines resilience as the mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral ability to face and cope with adversity, adapt to change, recover, learn, and grow from seatbacks. But for Capt. Olga Maria Tamayo DeJesus, a member of the 210th Regional Support Group under the U.S. Army Reserve 1st Mission Support Command, currently mobilized at Fort Bliss, Te  more

Modeling, Simulation Summit: Following Through With Training Transformation
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, May 14 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Marilyn C. Holliday, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs The third annual 2024 Department of the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Summit was held at the Grand Hyatt River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, May 7-9. The summit was hosted by Richard Tempalski, Department of the Air Force chief modeling and simulation officer, and Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Trai  more

Modern Group, Dragon Rig Sales to Pay $35,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
BEAUMONT, Texas, May 16 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release on May 15, 2024: * * * Settles Federal Charges That Industrial Manufacturing and Service Company and Its Subsidiary Subjected Applicant to Discrimination Because of His Disabilities * * * The Modern Group, Ltd. (TMG), headquartered in Beaumont, Texas, and one of its subsidiaries, Dragon Rig Sales and Service, LLC, a manufacturing and service company which builds oilfield service equipment  more

MRTC officer celebrates Army's support for Sikh Soldiers at Times Square 'Turban Day'
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Sikh-American Army Reserve officer, who in 2009 was one of the first Soldiers the Army allowed to serve in uniform with his turban and beard, was a featured speaker at the May 11 "Turban Day" held at Times Square here with members of the Sikh community performing folk dances and songs and offering free turbans to passersby. "Today, we gather to ce  more

New MILITARY STAR Cardmembers Save 15% On All First-Day Purchases May 23 Through 30
DALLAS, Texas, May 17 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Marisa Conner Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers who open and use a new MILITARY STAR(R) account May 23 through May 30 will save 15% on all purchases made the first day--and the savings don't stop there. The 15% savings for new cardmembers, which is being offered instead of the usual 10% first-day discount, can be combined with other exclusive cardmember offers, including: * 15% of  more

New portal streamlines field ordering officer capabilities
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: A comprehensive overhaul of the field ordering officer program used in procuring micro-purchases of supplies and limited services recently transformed an outdated process heavily reliant on manual inputs into a more modern and integrated web-based framework offering greater efficiencies. The Army's field ordering officer, or FOO, program serves as an   more

Next-Gen EagleCash system enables financial readiness
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The U.S. Treasury Department combined the previous Department of Defense stored value cards, EZPay, EagleCash and NavyCash, into a single card. During this roll-out process, the Treasury Department worked with Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland officials to pilot the program, simply called "EagleCash." "Thanks to the great relationship we have with the d  more

NRC Issues Event Notification for IRISNDT, Corpus Christi, Texas
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57111) involving IRISNDT Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas: * * * Rep Org: Texas Dept of State Health Services Licensee: IRISNDT Inc Region: 4 City: Corpus Christi State: TX License #: L-06435 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Art Tucker HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol Notification Date: 05/07/2024 Notification Time: 15:50 [ET] Event Date: 05/01/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/  more

NRC Issues Event Notification for IRISNDT, Corpus Christi, Texas
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57111) involving IRISNDT Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas: * * * Rep Org: Texas Dept of State Health Services Licensee: IRISNDT Inc Region: 4 City: Corpus Christi State: TX License #: L-06435 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Art Tucker HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol Notification Date: 05/07/2024 Notification Time: 15:50 [ET] Event Date: 05/01/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/  more

NRC Issues Event Notification for South Texas Nuclear Plant
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57124) involving South Texas Nuclear Plant: * * * Facility: South Texas Region: 4 State: TX Unit: [2] [] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Ron Rohan HQ OPS Officer: Tenisha Meadows Notification Date: 05/12/2024 Notification Time: 20:46 [ET] Event Date: 05/12/2024 Event Time: 16:41 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/12/2024 Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50  more

NRC Issues Event Notification for South Texas Nuclear Plant
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57124) involving South Texas Nuclear Plant: * * * Facility: South Texas Region: 4 State: TX Unit: [2] [] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Ron Rohan HQ OPS Officer: Tenisha Meadows Notification Date: 05/12/2024 Notification Time: 20:46 [ET] Event Date: 05/12/2024 Event Time: 16:41 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/12/2024 Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50  more

Preliminary Flood Maps for Love County, Oklahoma, Ready for Public View
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: DENTON, Texas - Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in all communities and incorporated areas of Love County, Oklahoma. Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can  more

Security Forces hold 24-hour ruck march, candlelight vigil for National Police Week
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Members of the 802nd Security Forces Squadron and 343rd Training Squadron held a 24-hour ruck march and candlelight vigil in observation of National Police Week at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on May 14, 2024. The 343rd Training Squadron joined the 802nd SFS to ruck in remembrance of fallen defenders. Candlelit posters of defenders who lost  more

Service chiefs discuss role of partnerships in meeting defense demands
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Partnerships with allies and across the services are key to maintaining the United States' edge amid an increasingly challenging national security backdrop, the military's top officers said. That message echoed as a central theme as the Joint Chiefs of the six armed forces branches came together May 13 for a panel discussion on U.S. defense priori  more

State Dept.: Celebrating Progress - Recent Successes in the U.S.-Nigeria Partnership
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release: A recent series of engagements between the United States and Nigeria highlights the value of partnership between the world's two most populous presidential democracies. Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell and Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf M. Tuggar have made progress on implementing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities through the April 29-30 U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission in Abuja, the 16th U.S.  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Brownsville Resident Heads to Prison After Attempt to Transport Over $200,000 of Cocaine
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, May 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 35-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute more than four kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Elias Garcia pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Garcia to serve 82 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release.  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Colorado Man Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Fentanyl to Texas Resident
ALPINE, Texas, May 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A Colorado man was arrested Saturday in Denver on criminal charges related to his alleged possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to the indictment, Douglas Christopher Steele, 53, of Denver allegedly conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, which contained a detectable amount of fentanyl. The indictment all  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Drug Smuggler Sent to Prison for Six-Kilo Cocaine Seizure at Bridge
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 22-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Matamoros, Mexico, has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute 6.16 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Javier Eduardo Vicencio pleaded guilty Aug. 24, 2023. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now ordered Vicencio to serve 48 months in federa  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Four Imprisoned in Mexican Mafia Murder-for-Hire Plot
MCALLEN, Texas, May 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Several California residents have received significant sentences for their roles in a South Texas murder-for-hire scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Viola Elizabeth, Garcia, 53, following a four-day trial in November 2022. Christopher Andrade, 33, also proceeded to trial and was convicted   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Guatemalan Citizens Extradited to the United States to Face Drug Trafficking Charges in the Eastern District of Texas
SHERMAN, Texas, May 17 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas issued the following news release: Four Guatemalan citizens have been extradited to the United States to face international drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Jorge Luis Rodriguez, 63; Pedro Pablo Yaser Barrios-Cruz, 49; Melvin Hilario Estrada-Flores, 35; and Magner Lopez-Mejia, 45, were extradited from Guatemala to the United States on M  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Guatemalan Extradited to the Eastern District of Texas to Face International Drug Trafficking Charges
BEAUMONT, Texas, May 17 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas issued the following news release: A Guatemalan man has been extradited to the United States to face international drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. According to information presented in court, the Los Pochos drug trafficking organization (DTO), based in Guatemala and Mexico, supplies multi-ton quantities of cocaine to multiple high-lev  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Pharr Man Sent to Prison for Importing Over $200,000 of Cocaine
MCALLEN, Texas, May 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 28-year-old man has been sentenced for importing cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Miguel Angel Trejo pleaded guilty Feb. 21. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Trejo to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Trejo   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Smuggler Sent to Prison in Conspiracy Resulting in Two Deaths
LAREDO, Texas, May 17 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 35-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to transport individuals within the United States resulting in death, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Wilkin Perez-Perez pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2023. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison found him to be a leader in the conspiracy and ordered Perez-Perez to   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Working With Mexican Drug Trafficker Lands South Texan Back in Prison
MCALLEN, Texas, May 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 43-year-old McAllen man has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Raul Mendiola-Flores pleaded guilty Feb. 22. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Mendiola-Flores to serve 144 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the h  more

Two men dead after they were ejected from a vehicle in rollover crash near Cotulla, Texas
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: On March 27, 2024, at approximately 7:15 p.m., a U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned to the Cotulla Station notified agents by telephone of suspected human smuggling activity involving a red sedan near Farm to Market Road (FM) 133 and Interstate 35 (I-35), southwest of Cotulla, Texas. Border Patrol agents operating in the area had previously observed a vehicle matching  more

U.S. Army South, joint force and multinational planners prepare for Exercise PANAMAX 2024 with crisis planning conference
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 13 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: U.S. Army South hosted Joint Force planners and military representatives from five South American countries for a crisis planning conference at the Estancia del Norte San Antonio Hotel from April 22-26 in preparation for Exercise PANAMAX 2024. Exercise PANAMAX is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, multinational and biannual exercise that provides trai  more

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri: Springfield, Willard Residents Indicted in Cocaine Conspiracy
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, May 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri issued the following news release: Three southwest Missouri residents are among five defendants indicted for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy after federal agents seized 16 kilograms of cocaine while arresting two co-defendants in Texas. Mario Jose Castillo, 55, of Springfield, Mo.; Christhian Eduardo Cruz-Pineda, 22, a citizen of Honduras residing in Springfield; Johnathan David E  more

U.S. Border Patrol Celebrates 100th Anniversary
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: The U.S. Border Patrol is set to celebrate 100 years of protecting the nation's borders with a series of public commemorative events in El Paso, Texas. "This year, the United States Border Patrol reaches its centennial year: a rare milestone marking our ability to overcome every challenge, endure every hardship, and win every battle along the way," said U.S. Border   more

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $6.3 Million to Support Business Growth and Workforce Development in Texas
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release on May 14, 2024: Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $6.3 million in the state of Texas to support business growth and workforce development following natural disasters in the state. The EDA investments announced today are: * Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, w  more

Warrant officers in the Air Force have long history
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Long before our nation was founded, navies used warrant officers to handle technical operations aboard Navy warships, while the more aristocratic officers were "commissioned" to command them. The Army gave a similar in-between grade to headquarters clerks in the late 1890s, but it did not use the warrant officer title until 1918 when it created its ow  more