More than 200 families opened their homes Thursday to over 700 airmen trainees from JBSA-Lackland for the 50th annual Operation Home Cooking, giving recruits who have been without outside contact for about seven weeks a brief respite.

“The trainees love it,” said Bill Ackman, 737 Training Group commander. “It’s a break — it’s nice not to have an MTI (Military Training Instructor) breathing down their neck for a little bit. They get to watch some football and have some great food.”

Training commanders thanked the community for opening their doors to the trainees.

KSAT’s Patty Santos met Jose Caballero behind the Lackland gate as he came to pick up two trainees.

Caballero said he has participated in the program for at least 12 years, and he prepared the meal a day in advance. His wife, T

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