Rear Admiral Anatolio B. Cruz, who graduated from Antonian High School, returns to his native San Antonio as the first ever liaison between the local community and the Navy.
“In chatting with him, his primary purpose is to ensure that the community is aware of a significantly higher naval presence here, but also to assist if there are ever any issues between the community and the Navy here," said Brigadier General Robert Murdock, U.S. Air Force retired.
Cruz is already on duty as part of the Navy 50/50 executive community outreach program to acquaint local residents with the Navy’s mission, capabilities and relevance to national security, so don’t be surprised if you start seeing a highly-decorated Naval officer around town.
Murdock said the Navy presence in San Antonio before the 2005 Base Closure Realignment Commission (BRAC) was chiefly a few sailors working at Security Hill at the information warfare center. Murdock said those numbers have increased about tenfold.
Murdock attributes that increase to the addition of the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
