News

Members of Joint Task Force Bravo unload a CH-47 Chinook at the Guatemalan 5th Infantry Brigade near Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Dec. 11, 2021.

Jan. 6, 2022

JTF-Bravo medics perform Guatemala global health engagement

Members of Joint Task Force Bravo deployed to Guatemala to conduct a global health engagement, providing medical and veterinary care to populations throughout the country.

The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Sept. 23, 2021

Myths and facts about the vax — debunking common COVID-19 vaccine myths

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) — The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work.

A UH-60 Blackhawk assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment spin prepares to return equipment and mail to the U.S.N.S. Comfort July 23, 2019, at Punta Arenas, Costa Rica. Pilots and aircrew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation transported personnel and equipment to allow the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort to provide medical care to Costa Rican citizens and Venezuelan migrants as part of the United States enduring promise of helping its southern neighbors. The Winged Warriors transported more than 470 people and 20 tons of cargo from July 21 - 30. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

Aug. 2, 2019

JTF-B helps Costa Rica receive Comfort support

PUNTA ARENAS, Costa Rica — Members of Joint Task Force Bravo supported the U.S.N.S Comfort Deployment 2019 in Costa Rica from July 21 – 30, along the coast of Punta Arena, Costa Rica. Pilots and aircrew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment (1-228 AVN) transported personnel and equipment to allow the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort to provide medical care to Costa Rican citizens and Venezuelan migrants as part of the United states enduring promise of helping its southern neighbors.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jazmaine Blakeney, Joint Task Force – Bravo Medical Element lab technician, examines tissue samples during an investigation, July 10, 2019, at La Libertad, Honduras. Members of JTF-B were asked by the Honduran Ministry of Health to conduct an investigation into the cause of Leishmaniasis and provide any recommendations that may stop infection. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is caused by infection with leishmania parasites, which are spread through the bite of sand flies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

July 15, 2019

U.S., Honduran health services battle disease in Honduran mountain community

COMAYAGUA, Honduras — Joint Task Force Bravo in concurrence with the Honduran Ministry of Health conducted a medical investigation into a possible disease outbreak, July 9 and 10, at La Libertad in the district of Comayagua, Honduras. Members of JTF-B’s Medical Element (MEDEL) examined the area of La Libertad to determine how and where the disease, Leishmaniasis, was spreading in the community and provide any recommendations that may stop infection.

A doctor speaks to awaiting patients at a local clinic in El Palmital, Honduras, Jan. 31, 2019.

Feb. 5, 2019

MEDEL provides care to El Palmital

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Outside a small clinic in the mountains of Honduras, dozens of people wait patiently for their chance to see a doctor.

Medical professionals operate on a patient during a Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element visit to a hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Nov. 26, 2018.

Nov. 30, 2018

U.S. Soldiers assist San Pedro Sula ER, OR

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, HONDURAS — Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element and Regional Health Command began assisting a San Pedro Sula hospital in late November.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Henderson Brenner, Medical Element physical therapist, guides a patient through neck stretches designed to eliminate her pain at a clinic in Comayagua, Nov. 8, 2018.

Nov. 19, 2018

Physical therapy helps Comayagua residents

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, HONDURAS — After an accident, injury or even as individuals naturally grow older, one’s bodily autonomy can start to feel lost.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Amber El-Amin, Joint Task Force-Bravo Operations Medical Planner, and Senior Airman Synethia Robinson, JTF-Bravo medical operations noncommissioned-officer-in-charge, pose behind a 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment CH-47 Chinook helicopter July 25, 2016 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. The aircraft is being loaded in preparation for a Medical Readiness Exercise mission in the Colón department of Honduras. The duo spends approximately 180-200 hours over 12 weeks preparing for each MEDRETE - events that have been the backbone of JTF-Bravo’s humanitarian mission in Central America for the past 23 years and have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, built partner nation capacity and fostered goodwill towards the U.S. in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)

Aug. 1, 2016

Air Force duo key to Army medical aid in Central America

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Medical Readiness Training Exercises, Military Partnership Engagements and Mobile Surgical Team deployments have been the backbone of Joint Task Force-Bravo’s humanitarian mission in Central America for the past 23 years and have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, built partner nation capacity and fostered goodwill towards the U.S. in the region. These missions are almost completely run and supported by the U.S. Army … almost.