Operation Home Cooking phone lines open Nov. 2 Published Nov. 2, 2015 By 37th Training Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through Operation Home Cooking Nov. 26. Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite two Airmen or trainees to spend Thanksgiving in their home by calling 210-671-5453, 5454 or 3701. To request an Airman or trainee by name, the requestor must be an immediate family member, e.g., mother, father, brother, sister or grandparent, and live in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. Exceptions will be made for Airmen in the seventh week of training. Requests can be made Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required to serve as hosts and there will be no same-day requests made. In its 40th year, the program provides the opportunity for families to share their traditional Thanksgiving celebrations with Airmen and those currently in Air Force Basic training. Throughout the years, families have generously opened their homes to trainees and service members recognizing that many of them are away from home for the first time. This program is designed for family participation and not intended for groups. This ensures everyone wanting to participate has an opportunity to do so. Last year, local residents hosted 3,531 Air Force members for Thanksgiving dinner. Potential hosts who do not possess a DOD common access card will require a full background check and a visitor's pass prior to being approved as a host. Hosts can pick up their visitor's pass at the Luke Gate Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24 hours a day, through Nov. 25. Once the total number of Airmen and trainees eligible for the program is reached, phone operators will stop taking request. Out-of-town relatives who have trainees in basic training that will be graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. Since trainees are not permitted to have personal transportation during training, hosts must come to the Pfingston Reception Center. If the Airman or trainee is identified as a by name request, they will be picked up from their respective squadrons Thanksgiving Day between 7 and 11 a.m. All Airmen and basic trainees must be returned to their respective squadrons no later than 7 p.m. For any questions or concerns, call the 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office at 210-671-2128/3136.