Thursday - April 25, 2024
Federal Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday July 28, 2019 ( 55 items )  

$300K in Grants Awarded to 27 Community-Based Organizations
DALLAS, Texas, July 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * - FHLB Dallas' Partnership Grant Program Provides 3:1 Match of Members' Donations * * * The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is pleased to announce $300,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds have been awarded by FHLB Dallas and member institutions to 27 community-based organizations (CBO). Through this unique gran  more

$5,000 in Exchange Gift Cards Up for Grabs in Awake Chocolate Sweepstakes
DALLAS, Texas, July 25 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Tim Meyer What a sweet wake-up! This summer the Exchange will award $500 gift cards to 10 lucky military shoppers, $5,000 total, in the Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Sweepstakes. From Aug. 1-31, authorized Exchange shoppers age 18 and older may enter the sweepstakes at ShopMyExchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. "A $500 gift card is a cool prize in the hot summ  more

Air Education and Training Command Airmen Visit Pacific Air Forces to Enhance Warfighter Alignment
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, July 24 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: By Mikaley Kline Members of the 12th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) and 559th Flying Training Squadron, both assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, visited Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Headquarters, July 8-10, 2019. The immersion allowed members from Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to take a closer look at Pacific theater operations  more

Air Education and Training Command Welcomes New Commander
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: By Dan Hawkins Lt. Gen. Brad Webb took the reins of Air Education and Training Command from Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast during a change of command ceremony here July 26. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein presided over the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the AETC mission and he commended members of the command for their efforts. He listed Pilot Tr  more

Air Education and Training Command Welcomes New Commander
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Dan Hawkins Lt. Gen. Brad Webb took the reins of Air Education and Training Command from Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph July 26. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein presided over the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the AETC mission and he commended members of the command for their efforts. He listed Pilot Trainin  more

Air Force Announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Personnel Center issued the following news: By Kat Bailey Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force's Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on super  more

Air Force Announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Kat Bailey Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force's Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, j  more

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Changes Command
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Shannon Carabajal Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox said he is excited to join the team revolutionizing installation and mission support after taking command of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center July 25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. "To all the warfighters of AFIMSC, (Marian and I) are honored and humbled to be on your team and look forward to meeting you and getting to know each o  more

Arkansas Receives $167,888 EPA Grant to Help Manage Hazardous Waste
DALLAS, Texas, July 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $167,888 to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for programs that oversee the handling of solid and hazardous waste. Under EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), this grant will help ADEQ develop programs to protect public health and the environment from facilities that contain or contained hazardous waste.   more

Army Contracting Command Recognizes Mission and Installation Contracting Command Members' Contributions
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, July 25 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Ryan Mattox The Army Contracting Command leadership recognized a Mission and Installation Contracting Command Soldier and civilian for their professionalism and contributions to the acquisition community as this year's ACC annual award winners recently. Sgt. 1st Class Terry Ann Lewis, a contracting officer with the 900th Contracting Battalion at Fort Bragg, North C  more

Army Contracting Command Recognizes Mission and Installation Contracting Command Members' Contributions
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, July 25 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news: By Ryan Mattox The Army Contracting Command leadership recognized a Mission and Installation Contracting Command Soldier and civilian for their professionalism and contributions to the acquisition community as this year's ACC annual award winners recently. Sgt. 1st Class Terry Ann Lewis, a contracting officer with the 900th Contracting Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina  more

Army Test & Evaluation Command: Fort Hood Black Hawk Aviation Crews Test New Army Aircraft Survivability System
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama, July 25 -- The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command issued the following news: By Leonel Rubio The latest countermeasures designed to improve Army aircraft survivability were tested here by helicopter aircrews based out of Fort Hood, Texas. Soldiers from the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment belonging to 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, with Fort Hood, Texas' 1st Cavalry Division deployed to Redstone Test Center to fly UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter e  more

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Visits Goodfellow Air Force Base
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: By Chad Warren The Honorable John W. Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, visited Goodfellow to discuss base infrastructure and the future of intelligence and fire protection training here July 16, 2019. The visit focused around ongoing construction projects which are improving the training environment and lethality of the warfig  more

At 30th BOSS Symposium, Army and Air Force Exchange Service Contributes Support to Soldiers
DALLAS, Texas, July 26 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Chris Ward AAFES attends BOSS SymposiumINDIANAPOLIS--In its continuing mission to support Warfighters' Quality-of-Life programs such as Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS), the Army & Air Force Exchange Service attended the 2019 BOSS Training Symposium in Indianapolis. On BOSS' 30th anniversary, approximately 250 single Soldiers, MWR professionals and Command Sgts. Maj. from 64  more

Aviation-Character-Education Solo Flight Program Concludes at Historic Tuskegee Airmen Airfield
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: The Air Force concluded its Aviation-Character-Education (A.C.E.) Solo Flight Program, lead by Air Force Recruiting Service, after graduating the final class, July 12, 2019, in Tuskegee, Alabama. "It's impressive to see these incredible students developing into young leaders and aviators," said Maj. Jeri-Lynn Harper, Director of Operations for the Tuskegee A.C.E. class and an E-3 Se  more

Corps of Engineers Has Awarded a $3+ Million Contract for the Next National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West Integrated Project Office
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 25 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $3,146,064 contract to provide the Next NGA West Integrated Project Office to Modular Management Group of Fort Worth, Texas, a Minority-Owned Small Business. We look forward to working with this small business contractor to design and construct our on-site office space. These offices will provide space for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City  more

Corps of Engineers: Sam Rayburn Reservoir/Town Bluff Recreation Activities Impacted by New Changes
FORT WORTH, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A. Steinhagen/Town Bluff Reservoir, Jasper, Texas, announce that camping reservations will only be available through the Recreation.gov reservation service starting October 1. Reservations will be available by calling 1-877-444-6777, through www.recreation.gov or by downloading the Recreation.gov smartphone application for IPhon  more

Disaster Survivors Can Expect to See FEMA Visiting Their Neighborhoods
AUSTIN, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: * * * - Disaster Survivors Can Expect to See FEMA Visiting Their Neighborhoods * * * Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be visiting neighborhoods in Cameron, Willacy and Hidalgo counties to help assist residents. The DSA teams go door-to-door in affected areas to offer survivors registratio  more

DLA Distribution Chief of Staff Recognizes Local Air Force Veteran
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pennsylvania, July 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency issued the following news: By Ed Shank George Hemler was just 20 years old when he arrived at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, in 1958. Drafted during the Korean War, the Pennsylvania native found himself far from home and facing an uncertain future. Little did he know the long-lasting effects his three-year tour would have, not only on his life, but on future generations. Having just been promoted  more

Dyess Air Force Base: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Deployment Issues Awareness
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: By Steven Belcher Deployers, we've all imagined it countless times, that sweet, tantalizing thrill of returning to the life you left behind. However, what comes next can be more challenging than the missions, miles, and metal we are returning from. The process of transitioning from garrison to deployment orientation is relatively well defined: establish mission, cut orders, assess readiness, a  more

Dyess Airman Performs Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Saves Child's Life
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: By David Owsianka On a hot July afternoon in Abilene, Texas, an apartment complex swimming pool was crowded with children and their parents trying to cool off. An enjoyable activity to beat the heat quickly turned into a tense situation, rushing to save a child's life. One child noticed his friend was missing at the same time he noticed a shadow eight feet under the surface of the water. He s  more

EPA Approves Oklahoma's Clean Air Plan
DALLAS, Texas, July 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Oklahoma's State Implementation Plan (SIP) that reflects updates to state regulations addressing air quality requirements. This action promotes cooperation between Oklahoma and EPA, resulting in the state's rules becoming federally enforceable. "This action further demonstrates that EPA believes states are best suited to run their air quality   more

EPA Hosts Emergency Preparedness Workshop for El Paso Area Community Organizations
DALLAS, Texas, July 26 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently traveled to San Elizario, Texas, to meet with local community leaders and organizations to discuss emergency preparedness topics, primarily for heat stress and other weather-related issues. EPA regularly meets with environmental justice, civic and faith-based organizations to strengthen community environmental resilience and access to emergency  more

Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor Focuses on Serving Airmen at Luke Air Force Base
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 24 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service's senior enlisted advisor is making it his mission to ensure Airmen and families at Luke Air Force Base have the products they need, whether shopping in-store or online. During his visit to Luke AFB on July 23, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes toured Exchange facilities and met with 56th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Robert Sylvest  more

FEMA Funds Port Arthur Housing Authority Rebuild
AUSTIN, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: * * * - Harvey flooded 102 homes for low- and moderate-income families at Southwood Crossing * * * Southwood Crossing apartments in Port Arthur filled with up to 5 feet of water during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, resulting in mold growth at 102 units managed by the Port Arthur Housing Authority. With no flood insurance to fund the remediation and  more

FERC Commissioner LaFleur Issues Statement on Gulf South Pipeline
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following statement (Docket no. CP18-525-000) by Commissioner Cheryl A. LaFleur on the Gulf South Pipeline: "Today's order grants Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP's (Gulf South) request for authorization to construct and operate the Willis Lateral Project in Polk, Montgomery, and San Jacinto Counties, Texas. 1 After carefully balancing the need for the project and its environmental impacts, I f  more

G2 Corporation to Pay $55,000 to Settle EEOC Sex Harassment Suit
DALLAS, Texas, July 24 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * - Female Employee Physically and Verbally Harassed By Supervisors, Federal Agency Charged * * * G2 Corporation, doing business as Screen Tight, has agreed to pay $55,000 and furnish significant relief to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. The EEOC charged that a female worker in  more

Goodfellow Air Force Base: Cobra Medic of the Month
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 25 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: By Seraiah Wolf Airman 1st Class Jessica Savage was selected by her supervisors and leadership as the June Medic of the Month. She exceeded their standards of professionalism and expertise as a referrals management center technician. Referral care helps to strengthen alliances with the local community and is in direct support of the National Defense Strategy. She has demonstrated im  more

Gulf of Mexico Alliance to Receive $297,816 to Improve Coastal Resilience in Northern Gulf of Mexico
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) a grant in the amount of $297,816 to improve coastal resilience in the Northern Gulf of Mexico with new pilot projects in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. "Investment in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance allows EPA to engage a broad network of partners and coastal stakeholders to improve coastal  more

High-Dollar Contracts Announced, Defense Contract Management Agency Will Administer
FORT LEE, Virginia, July 22 -- The Defense Contract Management Agency issued the following news: The following contracts with a value of over $7 million were awarded last week and will be administered by the Defense Contract Management Agency. The agency currently manages approximately 350,000 contracts with an overall total value of $5.2 trillion. The agency also currently authorizes $678.4 million in contractor payments per business day. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Corp., Missile  more

Laughlin Air Force Base Hosts First Honorary Commander's Induction Ceremony
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Mahalia Frost Fifteen distinguished civic leaders joined some of Laughlin's leadership and fellow community members for an inaugural honorary commander's induction ceremony, Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Del Rio, Texas. The Honorary Commander's Program provides community partners, who have allied themselves with Laughlin, a behind-the-scenes look at how the wing builds combat  more

Laughlin Air Force Base: The Art of the Debrief
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 25 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Col. Todd Dyer The U.S. Air Force is the premier combat air force in the world and the true source of our success lies in our desire to be the best at what we do. Debriefing is the key aspect to that success. As a result of heavy losses experienced during the Korean and Vietnam wars, fighter pilots and Special Operations teams have served as the model for mastering the art o  more

MILITARY STAR Shoppers Can Get Smart Savings on Back-to-School Fashion
DALLAS, Texas, July 24 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: Military families around the world can save on back-to-school fashion with their MILITARY STAR(R) cards from Aug. 1 to 8. Shoppers will receive 10% off all children's, women's and men's apparel purchases of $100 or more when they use their MILITARY STAR card. The offer is valid at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange and Coast Guard Exchange, as well as ShopMyExchange.com, myNav  more

NASA TV to Air Launch, Docking of Russian Space Station Cargo Ship
HOUSTON, Texas, July 26 -- NASA's Johnson Space Center issued the following news release: A Russian Progress cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, July 31. Live coverage of the resupply craft's launch and docking will begin at 7:45 a.m. EDT on NASA Television and the agency's website. The Progress 73 spacecraft will lift off at 8:10 a.m., on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan (5:10 p.m. Baikonur time) loaded with almost thr  more

New Memorial Honors 79 Fallen Dyess Airmen
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: By Mercedes Porter Dyess leadership, along with Gen. Maryanne Miller, Air Mobility Command commander; the Abilene community; and approximately 100 Gold Star family members of fallen Airmen, came together for a memorial dedication ceremony July 19. After 10 months of construction and over $600,000 raised by the Abilene community, the newly established Dyess Memorial Park honors 79 Dyess Airmen  more

Pacific Air Forces Airman Earns Spot in 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: By Kat Bailey Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force's Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior lead  more

Randolph Air Force Base: Enlisted Professional Military Education Topic of Latest 'Developing Mach-21 Airmen' Podcast
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: A look inside the enlisted professional military education is the topic of the latest "Developing Mach-21 Airmen," Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast series, released July 19. On the pod, Senior Airman Francisco Melendez from the Air University public affairs office sits down with Tech. Sgt. Joshua Steward and Senior Master Sgt.   more

Regulatory Relief: Guidance to Help Financial Institutions and Facilitate Recovery in Areas of Texas Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding
WASHINGTON, July 26 -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued the following financial institution letter (No. FIL-45-2019): Summary: The FDIC has announced a series of steps intended to provide regulatory relief to financial institutions and facilitate recovery in areas of Texas affected by severe storms and flooding. Statement of Applicability to Institutions with Total Assets under $1 Billion: This Financial Institution Letter applies to all FDIC-supervised financial institutions.  more

San Antonio Zoo to Receive $49,865 from Interior
WASHINGTON, July 24 - The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service announced that it intends to award a $49,865 cooperative agreement to the San Antonio Zoo of Texas for the protection of Mexican blindcat and rare cave species. The funding opportunity number is P19AS00409 (CFDA 15.944). For more information, contact Katie Gaertner, Katie_Gaertner@nps.gov.  more

Sheppard Company Grade Officer Council Named 1st Qtr Top CGOC at Air Force Level
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 23 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: By Pedro Tenorio Before this quarter is over we at Sheppard Air Force Base would like to congratulate our Company Grade Officer Council which was named the 1st Quarter Top CGO Council at the Air Force level. The CGOC is a private organization on base run by members consisting of Captains and Lieutenants. Sheppard's CGOC has four pillars that they focus on. These pillars include commun  more

SpaceX Dragon on Route to Space Station With NASA Science, Cargo
HOUSTON, Texas, July 26 -- NASA's Johnson Space Center issued the following news release: A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is on its way to deliver the second commercial crew docking port and about 5,000 pounds of science investigations and supplies for the International Space Station after a 6:01 p.m. EDT Thursday launch from Florida. The spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and is scheduled to arrive at the orbiting labora  more

Special Warfare Airman Receives Silver Star for Heroism in Afghanistan
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND,Texas, July 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Danielle Knight In the early morning hours of Jan. 11, 2018, a five-man team set out to conduct a seemingly uneventful and successful key leader engagement in Afghanistan. Over a year later, an Air Force Special Warfare Airman stood in front of a crowd at the Lackland Gateway Club at JBSA-Lackland July 18 to be presented with a Silver Star for his actions that secured t  more

Study Hard, Win Big: Scottsdale Military Teen Wins $2,000 Exchange Grand Prize for Academic Achievement at Luke Air Force Base
DALLAS, Texas, July 25 -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service issued the following news release: By Marisa Wolfe Mary Rita Kostas, 13, has had a busy summer--from lifeguard camp to space camp to winning the grand prize in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's You Made the Grade sweepstakes. Col. Robert Sylvester, 56th Mission Support Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, Exchange senior enlisted advisor, presented Mary with her prize--a $2,000 Exchange gift card--in a cere  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Federal Home Loan Bank Execs Plead Guilty Mid-Trial
DALLAS, Texas, July 23 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, issued the following news release: Several days into their trial, two former Federal Home Loan Bank executives pleaded guilty to conspiring to lie to the government-sponsored financial institution, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Terence Carlyle Smith, former FHLB - Dallas President, and Nancy B. Parker, former Chief Information Officer, both pleaded guilty  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Former Mexican Municipal Police Officer Charged With Trafficking Enough Fentanyl to Kill 10 Million
DALLAS, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, issued the following news release: A federal grand jury in Amarillo, Texas has indicted a former Mexican municipal police officer for fentanyl trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. In a superseding indictment filed Thursday evening, Assmir Contreras-Martinez, 30, of Tucson, Arizona, was charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute  more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Immigration Attorney Arrested for Bribery
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Ryan K. Patrick, issued the following news release: Federal authorities have arrested a Weslaco attorney following the return of an indictment alleging conspiracy and bribery involving immigration detention employees, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Today, law enforcement took Roel Alaniz, 39, of Weslaco, into custody. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio   more

Texas U.S. Attorney: Justice Department Launches National Public Safety Partnership With Harris County Sheriff's Office
HOUSTON, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Ryan K. Patrick, issued the following news release: Federal and local officials convened in Houston today to initiate the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick along with Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Jon Adler and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. This Justice Department program is a three-year engagement that seeks to leverage department assets   more

TSA Introduces New Baggage Screening Equipment at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
TYLER, Texas, July 26 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration issued the following news release: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed a new piece of high-tech baggage screening equipment at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR). "This new machine, called a CT-80, will streamline the check-in process while adding efficiency and convenience," said TSA Federal Security Director Amy Williams. "Until now, our TSA officers have had  more

U.S. Air Force Announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 24 -- The U.S. Air Force (50th Space Wing) issued the following news: By Kat Bailey Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force's Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on supe  more

U.S. Air Force: 47th Medical Group Undergoes Medical Squadron Reform
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 23 -- The U.S. Air Force (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Anne McCready The 47th Medical Group reorganized its squadrons, the 47th Medical Operations Squadron and the 47th Medical Support Squadron, as part of the Air Force Medical Service Medical Squadron reform, on July 15, 2019 at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The 47th MDG will remain as such, but the 47th MDSS will become the 47th Healthcare Operations Squadron, and the 47th M  more

U.S. Air Force: Aviation-Character-Education Solo Flight Program Concludes for 2019 at Historic Tuskegee Airmen Airfield
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Air Force concluded its Aviation-Character-Education Solo Flight Program, lead by Air Force Recruiting Service, after graduating the final class of the year, July 12, in Tuskegee, Alabama. "It's impressive to see these incredible students developing into young leaders and aviators," said Maj. Jeri-Lynn Harper, the Tuskegee A.C.E. class director of operations and a E-3 Sentry pilot. "They've com  more

U.S. Air Force: TORQE 62 Gold Star Family Member Receives Defense Biometric Identification System ID Card
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, July 22 -- The U.S. Air Force (7th Bomb Wing) issued the following news: By Susan Roberts Gloria Golden, mother of the late Capt. Jonathan "JJ" Golden, was the first Gold Star family member at Dyess Air Force Base to receive a Defense Biometric Identification System ID card through the Air Force Gold Star Family Member program, July 18. Capt. Golden was one of four Dyess aircrew members who passed away in a 2015 C-130J Super Hercules crash in Jalalabad, Afghanista  more

U.S. Army Medicine: Ultraviolet Rays Dangerous to Unprotected Eyes
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, July 19 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Elena Llewellyn The optometry team at Kenner's Eagle Eye Clinic has seen many types of ocular injuries resulting from over-exposure to sunlight. Typical damage includes lumps from scarring, reddening of the white part of the eye -- not much different than sunburn to the skin -- and the onset of cataracts or other vision issues that may only be correctable through surgery. What makes sunlight most dangerous is  more

VA IG Issues Oversight Report Summary on Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of Amarillo Health Care System
WASHINGTON, July 24 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General issued the following oversight report (No. 19-00007-168) summary on "Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Amarillo VA Health Care System, Texas": Summary: This Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) provides a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered at the Amarillo VA Health Care System. The inspection covers leadership and organizational risks and key clinical and administrative  more

Wilcox Takes Command of Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: By Shannon Carabajal Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox said he is excited to join the team revolutionizing installation and mission support after taking command of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center July 25 at a ceremony in the Gateway Club here. "To all the warfighters of AFIMSC, (Marian and I) are honored and humbled to be on your team and look forward to meeting you   more