Thursday - November 21, 2024
Federal Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday August 25, 2024 ( 79 items )  

12th Operations Group welcomes new commander
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: In a change of command ceremony held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on Aug. 16, Col. John P. Anderson officially took command of the 12th Operations Group from Col. James J. Muniz. The ceremony was attended by military personnel, civilian staff, and local dignitaries, marking the transition in unit leadership. Anderson expressed his gratitude for  more

340th Flying Training Group claims Twenty-Second Air Force Battle Born trophy
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Every year during the Twenty-Second Air Force Summer Senior Leadership Summit, the Battle Ready trophy is presented to the direct reporting unit that distinguishes itself through exceptionally meritorious service along with the Battle Born trophy which is presented to the unit that best represents the commander's priority of "Readiness Now." This ye  more

AETC developing Enterprise Learning Engineering Center of Excellence to accelerate learning for GPC
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas In support of Air Education and Training Command's intent to soon redesignate as Airman Development Command (ADC), the command is planning to realign portions of the headquarters staff to establish the Enterprise Learning Engineering (ELE) Center of Excellence (CoE) to directly support development and delivery of mission ready Airmen and Guardia  more

AETC developing Enterprise Learning Engineering Center of Excellence to accelerate learning for GPC
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: In support of Air Education and Training Command's intent to soon redesignate as Airman Development Command, or ADC, the command is planning to realign portions of the headquarters staff to establish the Enterprise Learning Engineering (ELE) Center of Excellence (CoE) to directly support development and delivery of mission-ready Airmen and Guardians t  more

Air Force releases latest field grade officer promotions
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Air Force selected 521 active-duty officers for promotion to colonel and major during the P0624B and P0424A central selection boards (Chaplain, Judge Advocate General, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps and Biomedical Service Corps categories). Colonel (P0624B): Chaplain: 7 selected out of 30 considered. Judge Advocate General: 22 selected out   more

Airmen helping Airmen: 433rd Operations Group members rally around wingman after house fire
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: On a weekend when millions of Americans were celebrating the independence of the nation, Master Sgt. Jesse Gonzalez found himself fighting to protect his home and family. An unusual sound on Saturday, July 6, alerted Gonzalez to the flames attacking the San Antonio house he's owned since 2003. "I just started hearing crackling," Gonzalez said. "It s  more

Allvin: 'One Air Force' needed to address today's evolving security landscape
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said the Air Force must continue evolving into a highly integrated and lethal "one Air Force" if it is to successfully compete, deter, and win in today's strategic environment. Allvin's assessment came during remarks on Aug. 16 at the Hudson Institute, a based think tank, that offered additional detail on t  more

APHIS Establishes, Amends, and Removes Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Areas in Texas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following letter on Aug. 21, 2024: * * * Subject: APHIS Establishes, Amends, and Removes Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Areas in Texas To: State, Territory, and Tribal Agricultural Regulatory Officials On August 2, 2024, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrep  more

ARNORTH supports NIFC in wildland fire ground response operation in Boise and Payette National Forests
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, approximately 250 U.S. Army Soldiers from the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion began supporting a wildland fire ground response operation in Boise and Payette National Forests on Aug. 21. U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, is providing opera  more

Aye Assumes Civil Air Patrol Command
MAXWELL AFB, Alabama, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news: Maj. Gen. Regena Aye assumed command of Civil Air Patrol on Aug. 17 in a time-honored ceremony steeped in military tradition. Aye became CAP's national commander and CEO during the organization's National Conference at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter. More than 800 CAP members gathered in Texas for the conference, and they were treated to a rousing acceptance speech from Aye after she  more

BAMC recognizes Summer Youth Volunteer Program participants
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Brooke Army Medical Center recognized the contributions of their Summer Youth Volunteer Program participants during a ceremony in the Carolyn D. Putnam Auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston on Aug. 2, 2024. Each year during the summer break from school, BAMC provides opportunities for teens between the ages of 14-18 to work in various  more

Basic Officer Leadership Course students stay cool at JBSA-Camp Bullis
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Students attending the Basic Officer Leadership Course are staying cool while training at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis by inserting their arms in an Arm Immersion Cooling Station, or AICS, on Aug. 20. AICS works to cool the body through the process of convection and conduction. Heat transfers from the hot arms and the circulating blood to the c  more

BLS - Southwest Region Issues Report Entitled 'New Mexico Job Openings and Labor Turnover - June 2024'
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 23 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 22, 2024, entitled "New Mexico Job Openings and Labor Turnover - June 2024": * * * New Mexico had 54,000 job openings in June 2024, compared to 57,000 openings in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the job openings rat  more

BLS - Southwest Region Issues Report Entitled 'Texas Job Openings and Labor Turnover - June 2024'
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 23 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 22, 2024, entitled "Texas Job Openings and Labor Turnover - June 2024": * * * Texas had 792,000 job openings in June 2024, compared to 762,000 openings in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the job openings rate in Tex  more

CAP Cadets Experience a Day in the Life at Altus AFB
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Four cadets from the Altus Chapter of the Civil Air Patrol were immersed into the 97th Air Mobility Wing mission by touring the installation at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Aug. 12, 2024. During their visit, the cadets explored a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, operated a KC-135 flight simulator, experienced a demonstration from military working dogs, toured the base fire station,   more

CBP officers apprehend three men in 24 hours on sex-related, human smuggling warrants at Laredo Field Office ports of entry
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas Over a recent 24-hour period. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry apprehended three men wanted on outstanding warrants for alleged felony offenses ranging from child sex abuse to human smuggling. "In less than a day, our frontline CBP officers exercised their resolute vigilance and apprehended three peopl  more

CBP officers seize $400K worth of cocaine in two enforcement actions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: BROWNSVILLE, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted two loads of alleged cocaine with a combined street value of approximately $400,034. "These subsequent cocaine seizures illustrate the seriousness of the narcotics threat our CBP officers face on a daily basis as they cont  more

CBP officers seize $460K worth of cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: BROWNSVILLE, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at approximately $460,379 hidden within a 2019 Dodge at the Veterans International Bridge. "Our CBP officers are relentless in their efforts to keep our borders secure,  more

CBP officers seize over $260K in cocaine at the Anzalduas International Bridge
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: MISSION, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $263,500 worth of alleged cocaine concealed within a vehicle. "Our CBP officers remain vigilant and used all of our available tools and resources to thwart this smuggling attempt," said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Phar  more

CBP seizes more than 90,000 rounds of ammunition leaving U.S.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: EL PASO, TEXAS U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 92,900 rounds of large caliber ammunition August 17, 2024. The ammunition was on a commercial bus leaving the U.S. and entering Mexico at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) port of entry. Ammunition seized by CBP at the El Paso port of entry. The seizure almost tr  more

CDFI Capacity Building and Growth Grant Awardees Announced
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following member bulletin (No. 2024-25) on Aug. 22, 2024: * * * The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) awarded $3.4 million in Capacity Building and Growth Grants (CBGG) to 14 nondepository Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to help facilitate the CDFIs' ability to fulfill their critical role in supporting affordable housing, small businesses a  more

CFTC Orders Unregistered Pool Operator and its Managing Member to Pay More than $520,000 for Fraud Violations
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following enforcement news release: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today issued an order simultaneously filing and settling charges against (GMT), and its managing member, (Carmon), both based in the Houston, Texas area. The order finds the respondents violated anti-fraud and registration provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) by fraudulently soliciting 19 pool participants to participate in two forex t  more

Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Visits Goodfellow
GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Goodfellow Air Force Base (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Brian Lummus, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna, toured Goodfellow AFB, Aug. 16, to see what Guardians experience as the newest detachment at a joint center of excellence for students in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance career fields. The base tour included visits to the int  more

Col. John P. Anderson Assumes Command of 12th Operations Group at JBSA-Randolph
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: In a change of command ceremony held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Col. John P. Anderson officially took command of the 12th Operations Group from Col. James J. Muniz. The ceremony was attended by military personnel, civilian staff, and local dignitaries, marking the transition in unit leadership. Anderson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the 12th Operations  more

Contract adversary air concludes at Kingsley Field
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The last contract adversary air F-5 completed its final local mission supporting F-15C student training at Kingsley Field, Ore., Aug. 7, 2024. "Air Combat Command, the agency that funds the U.S. Air Force adversary air contracts, has prioritized increased adversary air at F-35 training locations," said Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd Fighter Wing deputy commander. "With that, they decided  more

DARPA Launches Regional Commercial Accelerators
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency issued the following news: * * * Accelerators will help advance and scale early-stage technologies for national and economic security * * * DARPA has selected five top technology accelerators from across the nation as DARPA Commercial Accelerators to facilitate rapid commercialization and scale of DARPA-funded technologies. The regional Commercial Accelerators are: * Capital Factory,   more

DEA-El Paso Division: Recruiter for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison
EL PASO, Texas, Aug. 24 -- The U.S. Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Division issued the following news release: A Mexican national was sentenced in El Paso to 245 months in prison for two counts related to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. According to court documents, Karla Adriana Votta-Cardenas aka "Adriana," aka "Samantha," aka "Sophia," 43, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, worked for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Jorge Sanchez-Mor  more

DEA-Houston: Foreign National Heads to Prison for Trafficking Over 17 Kilograms of Meth in the Conroe Area
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release: A 36-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Divsion and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury deliberated for  more

DEA-Houston: Laredo Felon Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl and Possessing Various Firearms
LAREDO, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division issued the following news release: A 39-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal grand jury has now retu  more

Department of Labor Awards $2M in Funding to Support Disaster Recovery Employment, Training of Dislocated Texas Workers After Hurricane Beryl
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2024: * * * Grant supports disaster-relief jobs, training services in 67 counties * * * The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial award of $2 million in emergency grant funding to Texas to support employment and training of workers to assist in cleanup and recovery activities in 67 counties stricken by the effects of Hurricane Beryl. On July  more

Department of Labor Orders Little Sunshine Playhouse Operator to Reinstate Employee Fired for Reporting Food Safety Concerns to State Health Officials
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the following news release on Aug. 22, 2024: * * * National childcare provider must also pay $43K in back wages, damages * * * DALLAS - The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered the Southlake location of a national childcare provider to reinstate an employee and pay $43,295 in back wages and damages after the employer fired them for reporting concerns about unsanitary and unsafe conditions  more

EPA Announces Clean School Bus Funding of Nearly $8 Million for Alief ISD as Part of the Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: DALLAS, TEXAS (August 20, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Alief Independent School District is receiving $7,900,000 through EPA's Clean School Bus Grant Program. This significant award which is made possible through President Biden's Investing in America agenda, will help the school district purchase 20 electric emission-free school buses to replace diesel operated  more

EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2,123,000 in Grants to Protect Children From Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities in Texas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: DALLAS, TEXAS (August 22, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $2,123,000 in funding for Texas to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant funding will be used by 55 states and territories and the District of Columbia to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administratio  more

EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $267,000 in Grants to Protect Children From Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities in Arkansas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: DALLAS, TEXAS (August 22, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $267,000 in funding for Arkansas to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant funding will be used by 55 states and territories and the District of Columbia to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administrati  more

EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $352,000 in Grants to Protect Children From Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities in Louisiana
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: DALLAS, TEXAS (August 22, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $352,000 in funding for Louisiana to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant funding will be used by 55 states and territories and the District of Columbia to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administrat  more

EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $388,000 in Grants to Protect Children From Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: DALLAS, TEXAS (August 22, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $388,000 in funding for Oklahoma to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant funding will be used by 55 states and territories and the District of Columbia to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administrati  more

FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: Copper Retirement Network Change Notification Filed By AT&T Texas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 24-253) on Aug. 20, 2024: * * * Re: Copper Retirement Network Change Certification Received Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC d/b/a AT&T Texas (AT&T), an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC), has filed certification that public notice of network change(s) involving the retirement of copper has been provided through its publicly accessible Intern  more

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Awards $3.4 Million to 14 Community Development Financial Institutions
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release on Aug. 22, 2024: * * * Funds Will Support Affordable Housing and Economic Development in Underserved Communities * * * Almost $3.4 million in funding was awarded to 14 nondepository community development financial institutions (CDFIs) through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) Capacity Building and Growth Grant (CBGG) program  more

Get to know Naval Medical Forces Development Command's new deputy commander
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Navy Capt. Sharon House assumed her new role as the Naval Medical Forces Development Command's deputy commander at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston on Aug. 19, 2024. House, a native of Gardiner, Maine, originally wanted to join the Army and follow in her father's footsteps, but life happened and steered her to join the Navy, where she has serv  more

Harnessing Clean Energy: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -Southwestern Power Administration Partnership in Power Production
TULSA, Oklahoma, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Tulsa District issued the following news: Story by Stacey Reese, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District As demand for electricity peaks with soaring temperatures Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' hydropower mission plays a pivotal role in meeting power demands for millions across multiple states. Tulsa District operates and maintains eight hydroelectric power plants, comprising 22 units with a generating capacity of  more

HUD Negotiates Agreement With Harris County, Texas, to Ensure Equitable Use of Disaster Recovery Funds
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued the following news release on Aug. 23, 2024: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement/Conciliation Agreement (Agreement) resolving allegations that Harris County, Texas (the County), discriminated on the basis of race and national origin in its design and operation of its Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program. A Harris Co  more

Justice Dept.: Major Enforcement Operation in Guatemala Secures Arrest of Human Smuggler Indicted by Joint Task Force Alpha for Links to 2022 Mass Casualty Event in Texas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Aug. 22, 2024: On Wednesday, extensive coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department and its domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network based in Guatemala. In June 2022, this network smuggled people into the United States on a journey that ended with the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, T  more

Ky. U.S. Attorney: Texas Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping an Adult Victim and Transportation of Minor Across State Lines
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release: A Texas man was sentenced today to 35 years in federal prison for 14 criminal offenses, including, among others, kidnapping an adult victim and transportation of a minor across state lines. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announce  more

Laughlin Air Force Base supports Air Force instructor pilot training at JBSA-Randolph
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: First Assignment Instructor Pilots, or FAIPS, from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, are stepping up to support Pilot Instructor Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, ensuring instructors of tomorrow are prepared to train the next generation of U.S. Air Force pilots nationwide. Laughlin has sent some of its brightest FAIPs to support the  more

Laughlin enhances Air Force instructor pilot training nationwide
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: First Assignment Instructor Pilots (FAIPS) from Laughlin are stepping up to support Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph (JBSA), Texas, ensuring instructors of tomorrow are prepared to train the next generation of U.S. Air Force pilots nationwide. Laughlin has sent some of its brightest FAIPs to support the 559th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) at JBSA-  more

Laughlin Enhances Air Force Instructor Pilot Training Nationwide
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Senior Airman Keira Rossman, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs First Assignment Instructor Pilots (FAIPS) from Laughlin are stepping up to support Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph (JBSA), Texas, ensuring instructors of tomorrow are prepared to train the next generation of U.S. Air Force pilots nationwide. Laughlin has se  more

Major Enforcement Operation in Guatemala Secures Arrest of Human Smuggler Indicted by JTFA
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: On Wednesday, extensive coordination and collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network based in Guatemala. In June 2022, this network smuggled people into the United States on a journey that ended with the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor  more

Master Sgt. Jeffery Davis: Mentoring the Next Generation of First Sergeants
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Have you ever wondered what a First Sergeant really does? You've likely seen them around the unit, helping your fellow Airmen or even called on them yourself. The better question might be: what doesn't a First Sergeant do? The 908th Ready to Lead 1st Sgt. graphic is a graphic designed to advertise for future potential 1st Sgts. for the 908th Flying Training Wing. (U.S. Air Force gra  more

Military honors mothers, infants by supporting breastfeeding
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: August is National Breastfeeding Month, and it offers an opportunity to talk about the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their babies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found 60% of mothers in the U.S. stop breastfeeding sooner than planned, and only one out of four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months o  more

MILITARY STAR Giving Away $30,000 to Help Military Community Get 'Home for the Holidays'
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Marisa Conner It's never too early to start planning for the holidays, and MILITARY STAR(R) is working to make wishes come true in time for the season. Six winners--one from each branch of service--will receive $5,000 cash in the seventh annual Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes. Cardmembers will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes when they use their MILITARY STAR card twice at   more

Minn. U.S. Attorney: Nationwide Home Healthcare and Hospice Provider to Pay $3.85M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: Intrepid U.S.A., Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and various wholly-owned subsidiaries (Intrepid) have agreed to pay $3,850,000 to resolve allegations that Intrepid violated the False Claims Act in connection with two lines of its business: first, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualif  more

Mission Monday: Security Forces Weapons and Tactics
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: This week's Mission Monday features Master Sgt. Bradley Akers, a program manager for the Security Forces Weapons and Tactics team at the Air Force Security Forces Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Akers and the weapons and tactics team oversee the tactics development process for the security forces enterprise, which includes integrating bas  more

N.J. U.S. Attorney: Couple Admits COVID-19 Loan Fraud Scheme
TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024: A New Jersey couple admitted fraudulently obtaining approximately $790,000 in federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) payments, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Diana Valteri, 42, and Edmond Haxhillari, 43, of Sparta, New Jersey, and Cypress, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal co  more

NAMRU San Antonio attend San Antonio's Military Transformation Task Force Quarterly Meeting
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The leadership of Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio attended the City of San Antonio's quarterly Military Transformation Task Force meeting held at the City Tower Conference Room on Aug. 19. The MTTF is the San Antonio region's forum where Joint Base San Antonio and National Guard senior military commanders inform key public officials and comm  more

NASA Awards $1.25 Million to Three Teams at Deep Space Food Finale
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- NASA issued the following news release: Interstellar Lab, a small business comprised of team members from France, Texas, and Florida, took home the $750,000 grand prize for their food system, NUCLEUS, which uses a multi-pronged approach to growing and harvesting food outputs for astronauts on long-duration human space exploration missions. Credit: OSU/CFAES/Kenneth Chamberlain NASA has awarded a total of $1.25 million to three U.S. teams in the third and final round of   more

Navy Medicine Enterprise established to support readiness and warfighting
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby approved the establishment of the Navy Medicine Enterprise on Aug. 14. The NME is an operationally focused organizational structure providing senior fleet leadership a mechanism to address and prioritize health service support requirements to meet operational objectives. The commitment of Navy Medicine to  more

Navy's four-legged secret weapon: Small dogs, big mission
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Sniffing out the source of danger comes naturally to Military Working Dogs. The MWDs that come to mind are fierce Belgian Malinois that leap over barriers to uncover perpetrators and gritty German Shepards who chase down the enemy. However, the U.S. Navy's secret four-legged weapon weighs less than 25 pounds. Jagdterriers are a small dog breed origi  more

Preliminary Flood Maps for Panola County, Texas, Ready for Public View
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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 Panola County, Texas.Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can ident  more

Ready to Respond
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The 14th Flying Training Wing hosted an emergency response table-top exercise on August 15, 2024, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, in preparation for the upcoming Thunder Over Columbus Air Show September 21 and 22. The exercise focused on validating the ability of the 14FTW and surrounding emergency response agencies to deploy medical, law enfor  more

Retired military town hall Saturday at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: A town hall for retired service members in the Alamo Region is scheduled for 10 to 11:40 a.m., Aug. 24, at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Military and Family Readiness Center, 3060 Stanley Road, building 2797. The event will also be livestreamed on the JBSA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JointBaseSanAntonio/. Topics to be dis  more

Small dogs, big mission
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Sniffing out the source of danger comes naturally to Military Working Dogs. The MWDs that come to mind are fierce Belgian Malinois that leap over barriers to uncover perpetrators and gritty German Shepards who chase down the enemy. However, the U.S. Navy's secret four-legged weapon weighs less than 25 pounds. Jagdterriers are a small dog breed originating from Germany and known for  more

Stage 4 water restrictions implemented across JBSA
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Joint Base San Antonio has moved into Stage 4 water restrictions. The water restrictions are progressive in nature, which means that ALL the restrictions from Stage Normal, 1, 2 and 3 plus the Stage 4 restriction are in effect. The attached fact sheet covers just the restrictions, while the attached Critical Period Management Plan covers the regulato  more

Students from 13 countries across Latin America and U.S. graduate from Inter-American Air Forces Academy
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Approximately 200 students from 13 Partner Nations, the U.S. Air and Space Forces graduated from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in a ceremony here, Aug. 7. The service members earned certificates from 21 courses in professional military education and leadership, aircrew training and technical disciplines. This training cycle was the first time the academy offered the Defensiv  more

Students from 13 countries across Latin America, U.S. graduate from Inter-American Air Forces Academy
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Approximately 200 students from 13 partner nations, the U.S. Air and Space Forces graduated from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas on Aug. 7. The service members earned certificates from 21 courses in professional military education and leadership, aircrew training and technical disciplines.  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: 92K Rounds of Ammo Found During Bridge of the Americas Bus Inspection, Drivers Arrested on Smuggling of Goods Charges
EL PASO, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release on Aug. 20, 2024: Two Mexican national bus drivers were arrested Saturday in El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged smuggling of firearm ammunition. According to court documents, Lucio Enriquez Garcia, was the driver of a charter bus bearing a Mexico license plate when he approached the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry. Garcia told the Customs and Bor  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Bowie County Woman Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Overdose Death
TEXARKANA, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas issued the following news release: A Texarkana woman who sold multiple fake oxycontin pills containing fentanyl has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Nickie Jo Mattison, also known as Nickie Hall, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 204 months in federal priso  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Drug Trafficker Who Hid Fentanyl Pills in Kid's Stuffed Animal Sentenced to 8+ Years
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas issued the following news release: A Dallas drug trafficker who stashed fentanyl pills inside his child's stuffed bear was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Jorge Miguel Arteaga Medina, 23, was charged via criminal complaint in April 2023 and indicted later that month. He pleaded guilty in February to   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Former Energy Trader for Vitol Inc. Guilty in International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 50-year-old former energy trader from Houston has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to bribe Mexican government officials to secure contracts for his then-employer Vitol Inc., the U.S. affiliate of the largest independent energy trading firm in the world. According to court documents, Javier Aguilar and his co-conspirators paid approximately $600,000 in bribe  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Key Leader in Texas Human Smuggling Organization Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison
DEL RIO, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 480 months in prison for illegal alien transportation resulting in death. According to court documents, Nicolas Mondragon-Gonzalez, aka "Chayo" and "Flaco," 36, of Luvianos, Mexico, was a leader and orchestrator of a human smuggling organization (HSO). Mondragon-Gonzalez had hired Sebastian Tovar, a dr  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Laredo Felon Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl and Possessing Various Firearms
LAREDO, Texas, Aug. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 39-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal grand jury has now returned a four-count indictment against Rolando Soliz. Previously in custody upon the filing of a criminal complaint Aug.  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: NIRP and Founder to Pay Nearly $9M to Resolve Alleged Kickback Referral Violations
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: National Interventional Radiology Partners PLLC (NIRP) along with its founder and its CEO have agreed to pay to the United States $8,884,091 to resolve Federal False Claims Act (FCA) and Anti-Kickback Statute violation allegations, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The settlement claims NIRP and Dr. Andrew Gomes, 48, Sugar Land, illegally paid physicians fo  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Recruiter for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison
EL PASO, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release: A Mexican national was sentenced in El Paso to 245 months in prison for two counts related to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. According to court documents, Karla Adriana Votta-Cardenas aka "Adriana," aka "Samantha," aka "Sophia," 43, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, worked for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Jorge Sanchez-Morales, primarily  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: SBA Employee Indicted in COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas issued the following news release: A Carrollton man has been charged with federal violations related to a COVID-19 fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Faruk Syed, 44, was named in the two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on August 15, 2024, in the Eastern District of Texas. The indictment charges Syed with conspiracy to commit wire fra  more

The world is not as big as it seems when paths cross through DLIELC
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: A visit to the JBSA-Lackland shoppette led to a chance meeting for Filipino Army Air Traffic Controller First Lieutenant Febe Salina Acenas. During this shopping trip, she crossed paths with her cousin, now an Air Force squadron commander at the 737th Training Group. As a recently graduated Defense Language Institute English Language Center student,  more

U.S. Attorney for D.C.: Texas Woman Pleads Guilty to Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2024: A Texas woman pleaded guilty today to felony and misdemeanor charges related to her conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Her actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Kellye SoRelle, 45, of Grandbury, Tex  more

U.S. Attorney for D.C.: Two Men From Texas and Virginia Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release: Two men from Texas and Virginia have been arrested for assaulting law enforcement and other charges during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Donald Ross Workman, 40, of Hereford, Texas,  more

Women's Equality Day: One piece at a time
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Aug. 26 is a significant day every year because it signifies the adversity and resilience that women throughout history have persevered through to have equal rights as men not only in the civilian sector but also in the military. Women's Equality Day legislation was created in 1971 by Representative Bella Abzug. The resolution was passed in 1973 and   more

Women's Equality Day: One piece at a time
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: August 26th is a significant day every year because it signifies the adversity and resilience that women throughout history have persevered through to have equal rights as men not only in the civilian sector but also in the military. Women's Equality Day legislation was created in 1971 by Representative Bella Abzug. The resolution was passed in 1973 and commemorates the 19th Amendme  more

Your guide to TRICARE Pharmacy Program terms
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Aug. 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Do you have a new prescription you need to fill? Or maybe you've been taking the same drug for years. It's helpful to know some key terms to get your medications affordably. "Your medical needs and your health plan can affect what you pay at the pharmacy," said Air Force Lt. Col. Leighcraft A. Shakes, TRICARE Pharmacy Contract Support Chief at the De  more