News Summary
Texas lawmakers are advocating for Joint Base San Antonio to host the consolidated operations of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South, citing its infrastructure and community partnerships. Concerns arise over a proposed relocation to Fort Bragg, which could disrupt operations and incur costs. Recent security measures and incidents at JBSA highlight the base’s critical role in national defense, emphasizing the importance of maintaining effective resources and community support.
San Antonio – Several Texas congressmen are advocating for Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) to be designated as the new home base for the consolidated operations of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South, in light of a recent memorandum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This memorandum envisions that the two commands will be centralized at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, raising concerns among local lawmakers who argue that JBSA has the essential infrastructure and partnerships needed to efficiently support these military operations.
In a formal letter sent to Secretary Hegseth, the lawmakers highlighted the readiness and capabilities of JBSA, emphasizing that relocating the commands to Fort Bragg could result in unnecessary expenditures and disrupt valuable institutional knowledge and established community partnerships. They advocate that keeping the two Army commands in San Antonio would not only save resources but also ensure continuity in operations and local collaboration.
JBSA is a significant military installation which encompasses several military locations, including Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, and Camp Bullis training camp. Overall, the base is home to more than 24,000 active-duty military personnel and around 10,000 Department of Defense civilians. Lawmakers contend that the existing workforce and community relationships provide a robust foundation for the consolidation of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South.
In conjunction with these developments, JBSA has recently implemented heightened security measures due to concerns over safety. The base has suspended its Trusted Traveler Program, which previously allowed certain individuals with authorized access to vouch for others entering the base. As of now, all personnel entering JBSA locations are subject to 100% Department of Defense ID checks, a decision directed by U.S. Northern Command in response to security concerns.
Additionally, JBSA experienced a security incident earlier this week when U.S. Air Force security personnel engaged in a brief exchange of gunfire with occupants of a passing vehicle around 4:30 a.m. The incident took place at the Lackland Air Force Base section of JBSA, yet no injuries were reported, and it is not considered an ongoing threat to the base’s security. The San Antonio police assisted with the response and evidence collection following the episode.
Separately, a potential security threat was also reported near Lackland Air Force Base when a man was questioned by police after claiming to have explosives strapped to himself. This incident, which occurred on a Monday morning, led to a thorough security sweep of the area, which ultimately found no explosives. The individual was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for emergency evaluation, while a vehicle associated with him was towed from the scene.
These recent occurrences underscore the complex security environment surrounding JBSA, as well as the heightened importance of ensuring its resources are maximized effectively. As Texas lawmakers continue to advocate for the consolidation of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South at JBSA, the focus remains on leveraging the existing community and military partnerships that have been cultivated over the years. The success of this initiative may hinge not only on the operational readiness of JBSA but also on the ability to maintain a secure environment for its personnel and their families. This consolidation endeavor has the potential to significantly impact the future of military operations in the region, reaffirming JBSA’s pivotal role in national defense strategies.
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Additional Resources
- KENS 5: Congressmen seek JBSA as home for Army Commands
- Wikipedia: Joint Base San Antonio
- News 4 San Antonio: JBSA Suspends Trusted Traveler Program
- Google Search: Trusted Traveler Program Suspension
- Air Force Times: Gunfire Incident at JBSA Lackland
- Google Scholar: Gunfire Incident at Military Bases
- News 4 San Antonio: Bomb Threat Near Lackland AFB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bomb Threats
- Express News: Letter Regarding U.S. Army North/South Commands
- Google News: U.S. Army North and South Commands
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
