Brig. Gen. Randy Oakland, commander of Joint Base San Antonio and the 502nd Air Base Wing, participated in the 2026 Fiesta San Antonio Military Ambassador Reception at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas, on March 23, 2026. He was pictured cheering “Viva Fiesta” with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shanique English, a Joint Base San Antonio military ambassador.
A New Commander for a Major Installation
Brig. Gen. Oakland assumed command of the nation’s largest joint base on Wednesday. Military ambassadors, competitively selected from units across JBSA, typically hold ranks from E-4 to E-7.
The 502nd Air Base Wing executes 49 installation support functions across 11 geographic locations, including JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph, and JBSA-Camp Bullis. The wing comprises 8,000 personnel.
Brig. Gen. Oakland previously served as the Director of Operations and Communications at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command at JBSA-Randolph. He expressed his pride in serving the 502nd Air Base Wing and the JBSA community.
Looking Ahead
As the eighth commander of JBSA, Brig. Gen. Oakland will manage an annual budget exceeding $800 million. He will also collaborate with 1,000 civic leaders in San Antonio and provide support for 10 major commands, 22 wings and brigades, 266 mission partners, and 684,306 personnel. Oakland will prioritize strengthening relationships with local community leaders, given his stated enthusiasm for the area. Further changes in leadership are also possible, as former commander Brig. Gen. Russel D. Driggers has been nominated for promotion to major general, pending Senate approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the 502nd Air Base Wing?
The 502nd Air Base Wing executes 49 installation support functions across 11 geographically distinct locations that comprise Joint Base San Antonio.
Who was the previous commander of JBSA?
Brig. Gen. Russel D. Driggers was the previous commander of Joint Base San Antonio and the 502nd Air Base Wing.
Where did Brig. Gen. Oakland serve before becoming commander of JBSA?
Brig. Gen. Oakland previously served as the Director of Operations and Communications at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command at JBSA-Randolph.
What impact will this change in leadership have on the local San Antonio community?
