Articles

Jan. 16, 2026

Empowering Innovation: A Research Look at SASW 2025’s Impact on Business Development

JBSA-LACKLAND, Texas — Dr. Scott Walter, the Director of Technology Transition/Transfer for the 59th Medical Wings Office of the Chief Scientist, along with Michael "Mic" Borcherding, Director of Innovation for VelocityTx co-chaired a panel session titled “Leveraging SBIR, CDMRP, and MTEC to Accelerate Dual-Use Solutions” at the San Antonio Startup Week (SASW). SASW 2025 was held 20 – 24 October 2025 for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners to support business development and featured educational panels, workshops, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities. The free, five-day event celebrated its 10th anniversary and was held downtown San Antonio, with Geekdom as the central location.

Jan. 14, 2026

Enhancing En Route Critical Care: Nontechnical Skills Prove Vital for Better Outcomes

JBSA-LACKLAND, Texas — A recent study published in Military Medicine Journal highlights the critical role of nontechnical skills in improving the performance of En Route Critical Care (ERCC) teams. As the nature of warfare evolves, the demand for medical care in combat zones is expected to intensify, potentially overwhelming current ERCC capabilities. This has spurred a need for innovative methods to assess and enhance team performance in challenging operational environments.

Jan. 13, 2026

Local Airmen requesting shaving waivers must make appointments at JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas — All Joint Base San Antonio Air Force members who need a shaving waiver will need to make an in-person appointment at either Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at JBSA-Lackland or the JBSA-Randolph Clinic in the coming weeks, according to medical officials.

Jan. 6, 2026

Operational Truth and Technological Vision: DARPA and the 59th Medical Wing Shape the Future of Warfighter Care 

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing and the San Antonio Military Health System hosted DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office for a two day strategic offsite at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, bringing together the Air Force’s oldest medical wing and one of the DoD’s most innovative research organizations. The visit connected DARPA’s biotechnology initiatives with the real operational demands of battlefield medicine through wargames, threat scenario exercises, and hands on exposure to Tactical Combat Casualty Care training. By pairing DARPA’s forward leaning research with the Wing’s deep operational expertise, the collaboration aims to develop rugged, intuitive, and lifesaving technologies for the first moments of combat. This engagement strengthened the longstanding relationship between DARPA and the Air Force and laid the groundwork for future advancements in warfighter medical care.

Dec. 10, 2025

New Study Highlights Risks in En Route Insulin Administration & Calls for Enhanced Protocols

JBSA-LACKLAND, Texas — A decade-long study reviewing nearly 3,000 Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) patient records found significant safety concerns related to insulin administration during military aeromedical evacuations. Only 2% of transported patients received insulin, yet insulin infusions were linked to a 23% rate of hypoglycemia; highlighting the difficulty of precise glucose control in the challenging aircraft environment. The research also noted inconsistent glucose monitoring practices, with 60% of IV push insulin doses lacking a documented glucose check within one hour. To reduce risk and improve outcomes, the study recommends prioritizing subcutaneous insulin as the primary treatment for hyperglycemia during en route care and strengthening monitoring protocols when IV insulin is necessary. These findings are intended to drive improved training, updated clinical guidelines, and safer medication administration during future missions.

Dec. 8, 2025

Revamped Volunteer Services Program Reinvigorates Patient Support at Wilford Hall

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — After nearly two years of limited activity, the 59th Medical Wing’s Volunteer Services Program has staged a remarkable resurgence, more than doubling its volunteer force and significantly increasing its patient impact across the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. Spearheading the effort is Master Sgt. Anthony Eberly, who assumed leadership of the program in early 2024 following a prolonged vacancy in the coordinator position.

Sept. 26, 2025

A Historic Look Back on the Invention of the Bird Ventilator by Forrest Bird

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas — The story of the Bird Ventilator is one of ingenuity, innovation, and a deep commitment to saving lives. At the heart of this remarkable development is Dr. Forrest Bird, a biomedical engineer whose work in both aviation and medicine transformed the treatment of respiratory failure. His time with the United States Air Force and at Lackland Air Force Base played a pivotal role in shaping his career and his understanding of engineering, which ultimately led to the invention of the Bird Ventilator—a device that continues to save lives around the world today.

Sept. 15, 2025

59th Medical Wing explores new technology with SimX demo

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing hosted a demonstration of SimX’s Virtual Reality Operational Medical Training at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, giving leaders and educators a chance to explore how immersive technology could support medical readiness. The SimX system, known as VALOR (Virtual Advancement of Learning and Operational Readiness), offers a variety of scenarios designed for military medicine. With only a headset and laptop, medics can train individually or in teams in fully immersive environments that simulate battlefield trauma, prolonged casualty care, aeromedical evacuation, chemical or biological incidents, and even K-9 trauma cases.

Sept. 10, 2025

59th Medical Wing transitions to Air Force Medical Command

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing, the U.S. Air Force’s largest medical wing and a cornerstone of military medicine, officially transitioned from Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to the newly established Air Force Medical Command (AFMEDCOM) on Sept. 9, 2025.

Aug. 13, 2025

From Ghana’s Streets to an MLS Stadium: Airman Finds Home in Football and Service

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — Senior Airman Ebenezer Owusu Arthur, a 59th Medical Wing central sterile processing technician, recently competed in a military-only soccer tournament hosted by Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake. Growing up in Ghana, Arthur learned discipline and resilience through the sport, which he continues to carry into his Air Force career. His journey serves as a reminder to fellow Airmen that dedication can turn aspirations into reality.