Military

Legislature Passes Summer Electric Bill Relief For Burned Veterans

Eileen Pace — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:17:51 +0000

Veterans who have burn injuries can now ask their utility companies for discounts, no matter where in Texas they reside now that the Burned Veterans Bill has passed in the Legislature.

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte sought to expand the benefits of a bill passed in the last session to the statewide population of burned veterans.

JBSA Salutes Fallen Airman Returned Home To Boerne

Eileen Pace — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:39:23 +0000

People came in Air Force buses and in their own vehicles, lining 36^th Street leading to the gate at the Kelly Field Flight Line where the chartered plane landed with the remains of Capt. Mark Tyler Voss of Boerne.

Voss, who was assigned to the 93^rd Aerial Refueling Wing, died in the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in Kyrgyzstan two weeks ago on May 3, but on Thursday he was returned home.

Female Boot Camp Instructor Sentenced at Lackland

Eileen Pace — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:35:12 +0000

Update: (May 2, 3:20 p.m.) Allen was sentenced to three months confinement, reduction to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) and hard labor without confinement for 30 days.

Allen's is the 18th completed courts-martial in the ongoing Lackland sex scandal involving military training instructors.

Sequestration Grounds Navy's Blue Angels For Rest Of 2013

Eileen Pace — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:10:15 +0000

Federal sequestration has claimed another community outreach program from the military as the Department of Defense has grounded the Blue Angels for the remainder of 2013.

Based in Pensacola, Fla., the Flight Demonstration Squadron was preparing for its next scheduled show in Corpus Christi this weekend when the Navy put out the word that shows for the rest of the year are canceled.

Lackland Begins Article 32 Hearing Against Another Military Training Instructor

Eileen Pace — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:07:35 +0000

An Article 32 evidentiary hearing is scheduled for this morning in the case against Senior Airman Christopher Oliver of the 324^th Training Squadron.

The former military training instructor is charged with having unprofessional relationships with three basic trainees and a fourth woman who was a tech training student. Oliver also faces charges of sexual assault and sodomy against one of the trainees, as well as maltreatment of trainees, and obstruction of justice.

Electric Vehicles At Fort Sam Houston Saving Money And Reducing Pollution

Eileen Pace — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:42:00 +0000

Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is going green. New electric vehicles have taken to the streets of the post to save money and reduce pollution.

On-post errands at Fort Sam Houston used to be done in large, multi-passenger or cargo vans, sometimes even when only a smaller vehicle was needed.

About six months ago the post acquired 36 Low-Speed Electric Vehicles that Army North spokesman Eric Lobsinger said are working out well in more ways than one.

Burned Veterans Statewide Could Get Summer Electric Bill Help

Eileen Pace — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:21:59 +0000

The Senate has passed Senate Bill 981, a bill giving electric utilities permission to help severely-burned war veterans with their high electric bills during the hot Texas summers.

A bill in the 2011 Legislature was passed for the same purpose, but it targeted only CPS Energy in San Antonio.

Second Armed Forces River Parade Highlighting Nonprofits That Serve The Military

Eileen Pace — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:50:19 +0000

Paseo del Rio has announced its plan for the second America’s Armed Forces River Parade to salute veterans and members of the country’s military following last year's first event that attracted thousand of visitors.

Paseo del Rio Association Executive Director Nancy Hunt said 25 professionally decorated floats will include one for each branch of military and businesses that serve veterans and the military.

San Antonio A "Welcoming" Airport For Returning War Fighters

Eileen Pace — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:04 +0000

On the day after Easter, Petty Officer Kevin Bruehler arrived at the San Antonio Airport at 11:15 a.m. from Afghanistan, and was greeted by American flags, banners, and the waiting arms of about 50 people, including 25 of his shipmates.

"I did expect something, but this is, this is incredible and inspiring. I appreciate it very much. It’s good, it’s good to know that you’re appreciated. I mean, you always know what you do is appreciated, but to see it shown so visibly, it’s just amazing. Just amazing," Bruehler said.

Cross-Cultural Expert Brought In For Lackland Court-Martial

Eileen Pace — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:35:32 +0000

A Lackland judge is hearing the case against a former Air Force instructor accused of rape.

Staff Sgt. Eddy Soto, formerly with the 323rd Training Squadron, pleaded guilty to five of the charges against him, including sexual assault, wrongful sexual contact, lying to officials, and having unprofessional relationships with trainees.

Soto’s court-martial opened in January with a request from the government to postpone the proceedings so it could bring in a cross-cultural expert.