JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- LACKLAND, Texas -- JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at JBSA-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through Operation Home Cooking.
In its 39th year, the program provides the opportunity for area families to share their traditional Thanksgiving celebration with Air Force Airmen and basic trainees. Through the years families have generously opened their homes to these young men and women, recognizing that many are away from home for the first time. This program is designed for family participation and not intended for groups or organizations. This ensures everyone wanting to participate has an opportunity to do so. Last year local residents hosted 4,796 Air Force members for Thanksgiving dinner.
Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite two Airmen/trainees as a "General Request" by calling 671-5453, 5454 or 3701. To request an Airman/trainee under the "By Name Request" program, you must be an immediate family member (e.g., Mother, Father, Sister, Brother or Grandparent) and live in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. Exceptions can be made for Airmen in the 8th week of training. To request an Airman or trainee by name, call the same numbers listed above and state that your request is a "By Name Request." Out-of-town relatives with trainees in basic training who will graduate during Thanksgiving week may "By Name Request" their graduating Airman.
On Thanksgiving Day, between 7:00 - 11:00 a.m., hosts that are under the "General Request" program must pick up the Airman/trainees at the Pfingston Reception Center, Building 6330. If the Airman/trainee is a "By Name Request," they will be picked up at their squadron.
The phone lines will open Monday, 3 November 2014, and remain available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (NOTE: Reservations are required to host Airmen/trainees.) Phone lines will remain open until 26 November 2014 or until all eligible trainees have been requested - whichever occurs first. Anyone calling after the total is reached may be placed on a wait list and called back if more hosts are required.
All Airmen and basic trainees must be returned to their squadrons according to their designated return times which will never be later than 7:00 p.m. Traffic getting on the installation and between the squadrons will be extremely heavy. We ask that you plan accordingly.