One of the most significant new wings in theAir Force of the future has landed at Lackland Air Force Base in Military City USA, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Special Warfare Training Wing selected Joint Base Lackland from among eight military installations vying to house the command.
“This announcement by the Secretary of the Air Force selecting Joint Base San Antonio as the new home of the Special Welfare Training Wing is yet another example of the importance of our City to the military, and to our national defense,” said Major General Juan G. Ayala (USMC ret), Director of the City’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our City strongly advocated to host this mission, and this announcement is a tangible illustration of the community’s support of the men and women who serve our nation. We look forward to supporting the Wing, and our military.”
The Wing will recruit, train, and equip Airmen who will conduct operations worldwide in combat and other environments, according to the Secretary of the Air Force.
It will also work on ways to increase retention rates, and come up with new way to improve training and readiness.
“Placing the new wing at JBSA-Lackland enhances San Antonio’s position as a vital part of the Air Force,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
The location of the new Wing at Lackland also helps to protect the base from the next round of base closings, which could come as soon as 2019.
“San Antonio is known as Military City, USA for good reason,” City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. “The military is the number one employer in the region and Joint Base San Antonio has a significant impact on the local economy with more than 180,000 military and civilian employees.”
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