Castro says Air Force confirmed death from flu outbreak at Texas base

The Air Force has confirmed a trainee died as a result of a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, according to Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).

Keon McDaniel was in his sixth week of basic military training when he experienced a “medical emergency” June 12. He was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center and died there on June 16, the Air Force said.

At the time, the service said his death was undergoing a medical review and did not name influenza as the cause. But Castro said Tuesday that McDaniel “died from the flu,” which also has sickened nearly 300 service members.

“This is a tragedy that could have been prevented were it not for the reckless actions of” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Castro told reporters during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. 

In scrapping the flu vaccine mandate for all service members this past April, Castro argued Hegseth has put troops in harm’s way and undermined the military’s readiness.

“We’re at war with Iran and face many threats throughout the globe. A soldier who is sick cannot fight effectively,” he said. “The flu vaccine is a simple way to make sure troops are healthy and prepared to carry out their mission.”

Castro added that the........

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