Overview
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is one of the largest installations run by the U.S. Department of Defense. It combines several long-established military sites around San Antonio under a single command, run by the Air Force's 502d Air Base Wing. Its long military presence has earned San Antonio the nickname "Military City USA".
History
JBSA was created in 2010 under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decisions. It brought together three installations: - Fort Sam Houston: an Army post dating to the 1870s. - Lackland Air Force Base: home of Air Force basic military training. - Randolph Air Force Base: known for pilot instructor training and its landmark "Taj Mahal" headquarters building.
Today
Fort Sam Houston is home to Brooke Army Medical Center and to the Medical Education and Training Campus, where many enlisted medical personnel train. Lackland trains new Air Force enlistees, and their graduation parades draw families from across the country. The base and its contractors are among the region's largest employers.
Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.