In San Antonio, construction is just finished on a new joint Veterans Affairs and Defense Department medical facility to be called the North Central Federal Clinic. Maj. Eric Peipelman, project manager for the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland AFB, Tex., calls the facility “a jewel” for both agencies that will serve as a test bed for similar clinics around the country. So far, the Air Force has identified some 5,600 current Wilford Hall Medical Center patients who live in the north central San Antonio area to receive care at the new clinic, which will include a pharmacy, radiology, lab, and optometry services. It is slated to open Dec. 4.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.