FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas ~ 04 May, 2009

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[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, is home to the 37th Training Wing, the largest training wing in the U.S. Air Force. The 37th TRW provides basic military, professional and technical skills, and English language training for the Air Force, other military services, government agencies, and allies.

Its four primary training functions graduate more than 86,000 students annually. The wing also provides quality operating support to more than 70 tenant and associate units.

Lackland Air Force Base dates from July 4, 1942, when the War Department separated the part of Kelly Field lying west of Leon Creek and made it an independent installation, naming it the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. From its acronym (SAACC), many people called the base sack, sack-c, or, less affectionately, sad sack. Even with its own name, townspeople and most military leaders continued to think of it as a part of Kelly Field.

The base bore three awkward and innocuous designations in the first two years after World War II, adding to the confusion. The War Department finally resolved the identity crisis on July 11, 1947, by naming the base for Brigadier General Frank D. Lackland. Lackland had originated the idea of an aviation cadet reception and training center for Kelly.

Prior to 1941, the portion of Kelly Field beyond Leon Creek known as "the Hill" had served at various times as a bivouac area and bombing range for advanced aviation cadets. Construction on the Hill began on June 15, 1941.

Contractors could not keep up with the quickening pace of world events as they cleared mesquite and prickly pear; laid out water lines, sewers, and streets; and erected frame buildings with asbestos siding for an Air Corps replacement-training center. The first class of 1,906 cadets began training in mid-November 1941, even though barracks were not ready until mid-December. Until then, cadets marched a mile up-and-back each day from a tent city on the northwest edge of Kelly's runway.

Learn More About The History Of Lackland Air Force Base HERE!

Lackland Air Force Base conducts the Air Force's only enlisted recruit training program, ensuring orderly transition from civilian to military life. Recruits are trained in the fundamental skills necessary to be successful in an Expeditionary Air Force. This includes basic war skills, military discipline, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies, Air Force core values and a comprehensive range of subjects relating to Air Force life.

More than 7 million young men and women have entered Air Force basic military training since Feb. 4, 1946, when the training mission was moved to Lackland from Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. Throughout its history, Lackland's BMT program has changed in many ways to meet the operational needs of the Air Force. Yet, recent updates in the curriculum are some of the most significant in its more than 60-year history, with every aspect of the program overhauled.

On Nov. 7, 2005, BMT changed its curriculum to focus on a new kind of Airman -- one who is a 'warrior first.' The goal is to instill a warrior mindset in trainees from day one and better prepare Airmen for the realities of the Expeditionary Air Force.

The changes resulted from the need to meet current and future operational Air Force requirements. In September 2004, the 20th Basic Military Training Review Committee met at Lackland and recommended significant changes in the focus, curriculum and schedule.

In February 2006, Air Force leaders made the decision to lengthen BMT to an 8-1/2 week course from the current 6-1/2 week program. Extending BMT will produce more lethal and adaptable Airmen that have the basic war fighting skills and the confidence to use those skills to defeat any current or future adversary.

Implemented November 2008, the two additional weeks of training are used to enhance and reinforce BMT's current war skills training. BMT now includes an intense four-day Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training exercise called BEAST which will replicate the sights, sounds and emotions Airmen will experience in the deployed environment.

Learn More About Lackland Air Force Base HERE!

While the facts surrounding the siege of The Alamo continue to be debated, there is no doubt about what the battle has come to symbolize. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against impossible odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason, the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty.

Originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo served as home to missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly seventy years. Construction began on the present site in 1724. In 1793, Spanish officials secularized San Antonio's five missions and distributed their lands to the remaining Indian residents. These men and women continued to farm the fields, once the mission's but now their own, and participated in the growing community of San Antonio.

Visit The Alamo HERE!

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We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

 

 

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

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Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

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Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

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God Bless Our Republic

Prayers going up

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

May 5, 2009

Still Small Voice

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READ: 1 Kings 19:11-18

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! —Psalm 46:10

When God spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb, He could have done so in the wind, earthquake, or fire. But He didn’t. He spoke with a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). God asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v.13), as he hid from Jezebel who had threatened to kill him.

Elijah’s reply revealed what God already knew—the depth of his fear and discouragement. He said, in effect, “Lord, I have been most zealous when others have forsaken You. What do I get for being the only one standing up for You?” (see v.14).

Was Elijah really the only one serving God? No. God had “seven thousand in Israel . . . whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (v.18).

In the depths of our fear or despair, we too may think we’re the only one serving God. That may happen right after the height of a success, as it did for Elijah. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still, and know” that He is God. The sooner we focus on Him and His power, the quicker we will see relief from our fear and self-pity.

Both the clashing cymbals of our failures and the loud trumpeting of our successes can drown out God’s still small voice. It’s time for us to quiet our hearts to listen for Him as we meditate on His Word.

Keep listening for the “still small voice”
If you are weary on life’s road;
The Lord will make your heart rejoice
If you will let Him take your load. —Hess

To tune in to God’s voice we must tune out this world’s noise.
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 19-20; Luke 23:1-25

[SandRat]

In.

[SandRat]

Staff Sgt. Philip Mendoza pets his military working dog, Rico, wearing "doggles," during training aboard a helicopter April 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The training teaches the team how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares them for future air-assault missions. Sergeant Mendoza is a 332nd Security Forces Group military working dog handler deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. He is a native of Lancaster, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller)

[willk]

4may76 I arrived at Lackland AFB for basic training. Hard to believe it’s been 33 years ago.

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[SandRat]

Clean and Clear -- An Iraqi Army doctor talks with children about the importance of personal hygiene, April 30, in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Gustavo Olgiati.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Road Trip: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas !!

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Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

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[SandRat]

FR sure is S-L-O-W tonight.

[laurenmarlowe]

Members of the 341st Training Squadron march down the bomb run during the Lackland Fiesta Military Parade April 22. The parade showcased Team Lackland to Fiesta-goers as more than 1,000 people representing the base and the 323rd Training Squadron Drum and Bugle Corps passed in review. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alan Boedeker)

Staff Sgt. Eric Began, a member of the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team, chats with customers at the base supply store April 12 at Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

Staff Sgt. Rommel Hernandez and Tech. Sgt. Duwayne Foster take the temperature of an egg to ensure it is properly refrigerated during their monthly dining facility inspection April 18 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The public health office inspects the dining facilities, checks personnel medical records, and provides medical intelligence for forward deployers. Sergeant Hernandez is a 379th Expeditionary Medical Group public health inspector and hails from Arlington, Va. Sergeant Foster is the 379th EMDG NCO in charge of public health and hails from Mobile, Ala. Both are deployed from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Satran)

[laurenmarlowe]

Having MAJOR comupter issues here, thought it was just me. Glad to know others are experiencing techo difficulties! :o)

[Yo-Yo]

I had one tour of Lackland AFB courtesy of Uncle Sam, in 1977.

Back then, we had exactly one-half of one day on the Confidence course, and one-half of one day of live fire of the AR-15.

The BEAST training is long overdue.

[Sparky1776]

8 Aug 78 for me.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening Hope, and thank you for our Pledge Of Allegiance!

FIRST!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good grief....it has gotten so ssssssssllllllllloooooooowwwww! I can’t get anything to work!!!

[SandRat]

Time for the Admin Mods to feed the Squirrels.

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy and Thank You Mayor!

SECOND!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Rico looks way cool in his goggles.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Rico looks way cool in his goggles.