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Alumni News

Learn about the interesting things that are taking place after graduation.

May 18, 2026

Hosmer Visitor Center Grand Opening Showcases Cadet Experiences

Tim Jackson, Denver resident and first visitor, speaks with cadets from the Sabre Drill Team during the Hosmer Visitor Center grand opening at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., May 16, 2026. More than 1,600 people attended the grand opening and interacted with cadets, hands-on displays and activities designed to connect them with the Academy’s mission, heritage and cadet journey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - More than 1,600 people attended the May 16, 2026, grand opening of the General...

Continue Reading Hosmer Visitor Center Grand Opening Showcases Cadet Experiences

Tim Jackson, Denver resident and first visitor, speaks with cadets from the Sabre Drill Team during the Hosmer Visitor Center grand opening at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., May 16, 2026. More than 1,600 people attended the grand opening and interacted with cadets, hands-on displays and activities designed to connect them with the Academy’s mission, heritage and cadet journey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn)
May 18, 2026

Academy opens Hosmer Visitor Center with ribbon-cutting ceremony

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, from left, Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradley Hosmer, Zita Hosmer, Jerry Bruni, Pam Bruni, Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, and Dan Schnepf cut the ribbon during the Hosmer Visitor Center ribbon cutting, May 15, 2026, at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The ceremony marked the official opening of the 34,000-square-foot center designed to showcase the cadet experience and Academy heritage. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Trevor Cokley) By Jeff Troth U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy celebrated the opening...

Continue Reading Academy opens Hosmer Visitor Center with ribbon-cutting ceremony

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, from left, Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradley Hosmer, Zita Hosmer, Jerry Bruni, Pam Bruni, Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, and Sam Schnepf cut the ribbon during the Hosmer Visitor Center ribbon cutting, May 15, 2026, at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The ceremony marked the official opening of the 34,000-square-foot center designed to showcase the cadet experience and Academy heritage. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Trevor Cokley)
May 6, 2026

Maj. Gen. Moga nominated to lead U.S. Air Force Academy following Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind

Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Third Air Force commander, conducts pre-flight checks in an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during his final flight at RAF Lakenheath, England, May 1, 2026. Moga has accumulated over 2,600 flight hours in six different fighter aircraft during his career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sierra Casteel) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The President of the United States has nominated Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Commander, Third Air Force, to serve as the 23rd Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and promotion to the rank of...

Continue Reading Maj. Gen. Moga nominated to lead U.S. Air Force Academy following Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind

Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Third Air Force commander, conducts pre-flight checks in an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during his final flight at RAF Lakenheath, England, May 1, 2026. Moga has accumulated over 2,600 flight hours in six different fighter aircraft during his career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sierra Casteel)
April 9, 2026

Colonel Tellez to Succeed Brigadier General Marks as Commandant, Reinforcing Warfighter Focus at the Academy

Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, left, and Col. Brandon J. Tellez, right. Tellez has been assigned as the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 32nd commandant of cadets, succeeding Marks. (U.S. Air Force photos). U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - In preparation for a change of command ceremony next month, Col. Brandon J. Tellez, Class of ’01, has been assigned as the Academy’s 32nd Commandant of Cadets, succeeding Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, who will retire this summer after a distinguished Air Force career. Col. Tellez is currently serving as Senior Executive Officer to the Air...

Continue Reading Colonel Tellez to Succeed Brigadier General Marks as Commandant, Reinforcing Warfighter Focus at the Academy

Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, left, and Col. Brandon J. Tellez, right. Tellez has been assigned as the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 32nd commandant of cadets, succeeding Marks. (U.S. Air Force photos).
September 29, 2025

POW Capt. Chuck Jackson laid to rest at Academy Cemetery

Capt. Charles A. "Chuck" Jackson's U.S. Air Force Academy graduation photo, Class of 1969. Jackson was laid to rest at the Academy cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 19, 2025. The date honored Jackson’s life and service and coincided with National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Photo courtesy of Marty Jackson) By Tech. Sgt. Sahara Fales U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Capt. Charles A. “Chuck” Jackson was laid to rest at the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 19, 2025. The date honored Jackson’s life and service and coincided with National...

Continue Reading POW Capt. Chuck Jackson laid to rest at Academy Cemetery

Chuck Jackson's U.S. Air Force Academy graduation photo. (Courtesy photo)
July 10, 2025

Cadet selected as Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar

Cadet 1st Class Mark Tang is the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar. Tang plans to pursue a graduate degree in international security. U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Mark Tang, Class of 2026, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The senior was named among 54 scholars selected from 743 applicants nominated by 288 colleges, universities and military service academies. The foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or...

Continue Reading Cadet selected as Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar

Cadet 1st Class Mark Tang is the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar.
December 11, 2023

Academy Cadet selected for post-graduate Marshall Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Owen Graham was selected for a Marshall Scholarship, a fully-funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadet 1st Class Owen Graham has just been selected as the Academy’s 24th Marshall Scholar, earning a fully-funded, two-year postgraduate education in the United Kingdom. Graham will graduate in May with a degree in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics and will commission as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Air Force. Following graduation, Graham hopes to attend the University of Cambridge...

Continue Reading Academy Cadet selected for post-graduate Marshall Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Owen Graham
November 14, 2023

Academy cadet selected for postgraduate Rhodes Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre was selected for a Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre, Class of 2024, was selected for a highly competitive Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program enabling young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, according to the program’s website....

Continue Reading Academy cadet selected for postgraduate Rhodes Scholarship

Rhodes Scholar Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre
November 13, 2023

Academy grad making his name with Space Delta 9

U.S. Space Force Capt. Dillon Duarte, a U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2016 graduate, is now chief of the Space Delta 9 Commander’s Action Group at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- A year before then-Cadet 2nd Class Dillon Duarte graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2016, he learned his eyesight made his dream of flying impossible. But the path to a new passion began with inspiration from a Geospatial Science satellite imagery course during his junior...

Continue Reading Academy grad making his name with Space Delta 9

U.S. Space Force Capt. Dillon Duarte
August 21, 2023

‘First Falcons’ continue connection with current cadets

Retired Lt. Col. Curtis Cook, a U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959 graduate, talks to Class of 2027 cadets on the Challenge Bridge at Doolittle Hall Aug. 1, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)  By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Each year, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s first graduates meet the newest class of cadets at the Challenge Bridge. The Academy’s “First Falcons,” as retired Col. Max Miller and retired Lt. Col. Don Brooks call themselves and their classmates, funded the bridge at Doolittle Hall on the Heritage Trail...

Continue Reading ‘First Falcons’ continue connection with current cadets

Retired Lt. Col. Curtis Cook, a U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959 graduate, talks to Class of 2027 cadets on the Challenge Bridge
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