An influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened more than 150 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, raising concerns over health policy changes and crowded training conditions. The base, part of Joint Base San Antonio, houses tens of thousands of personnel in close-quarter dormitories and shared facilities, which can increase the risk of airborne disease spread. The incident comes shortly after U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccinations for military personnel, citing concerns over medical mandates and personal freedom. Officials have not yet confirmed the full cause or scope of the outbreak, but the situation has sparked renewed debate over vaccination policy and military readiness.

The basic training facility for the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, is experiencing a flu outbreak with at least 159 cases, two sources told ABC News.

Dozens of service members at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill with the flu in the weeks since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rescinded the vaccine mandate, sources…