For more than a century, San Antonio has stood as a steadfast partner to our nation’s military — a relationship that defines who we are and powers a vital part of our regional economy.
As the home of Joint Base San Antonio, known as JBSA, and more than 86,000 service members and civilians, we are not just another military town — we are Military City, USA.
But our identity and future are at a crossroads.
The U.S. Army’s plan to consolidate Army North and Army South into a new Western Hemisphere Command represents one of the most significant transformations in our city’s military structure in decades.
While the concept of unifying efforts across North, Central and South America under one command may serve a broader strategic purpose, the real question for San Antonio is this: Will the Western Hemisphere Command be headquartered here — or somewhere else?
We strongly believe it must remain in San Antonio. We have the infrastructure, talent and the proven community support to lead this next evolution in defense strategy. If the Army decides to locate this command elsewhere, the consequences would be severe — economically, strategically and symbolically.
In that event, we must insist on a new mission to backfill any loss, particularly in growth sectors such as cyber operations, military medicine and space where San Antonio already leads.
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, where I serve as president and CEO, has long been the guardian of this military-community relationship. We founded Celebrate America’s Military more than 50 years ago to honor the service and sacrifices of those who protect our freedoms. This celebration has grown into the largest civic military tribute in the nation, reflecting the unmatched support our city provides to its military partners.
But honoring our past is not enough — we must fight for our future. That’s why this moment demands strong, decisive leadership at City Hall. The next mayor of San Antonio must be ready on day one to engage with Pentagon officials, state lawmakers and local military leaders to ensure that San Antonio’s voice is not only heard but heeded. They must have the credibility, experience and urgency to lead this fight.
You have the power to choose that leader right now.
Early voting for the mayoral runoff election runs through Tuesday. Election Day is Saturday. Your vote will decide who leads San Antonio through this critical juncture — who will stand up for our military missions, protect our economic stability and uphold the proud legacy of Military City, USA.
We are at a pivotal moment in our city’s history. What we do now will echo for generations. Let us move forward — united, informed and ready to act.
For decades, the city's Military Transformation Task Force, or MTTF, has played a central role in defending and strengthening San Antonio’s military footprint. As tri-chair of the MTTF, I will continue to lead this fight — working alongside our local, state and federal partners to ensure the decisions made in Washington, D.C., reflect the capabilities, commitment and strategic value of Military City, USA. The MTTF has never backed down from a challenge, and we won’t start now.
We earned the title Military City, USA, through generations of sacrifice and service. Now, it’s our turn to serve — by voting, advocating and demanding that San Antonio’s place in our nation’s defense remains strong and secure.
Jeff Webster is president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.