Weekend of July 12th and 13th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of July 12th and 13th — 

On this day, back in 2001 — Beginning the third of his five space missions, Steven Lindsey, Class of ’82, serves as commander of mission STS-104 aboard the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis. 

…Also this weekend back in 1921 — Army Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, namesake of the Academy cadet dining hall and exemplar for the Class of 2001, uses Martin MB-2 and Handley Page bombers to sink several ships off the Virginia Capes. The tests studied the use of bombs on ships to suggest how ship design could counter an air attack.  The tests were also a prelude to the July 21st sinking of the captured German battleship Ostfriesland off the coast of Virginia.  This success further demonstrated the value of air power and eventually led to the establishment of the Air Force, and then its Academy. 

…all content for the Academy History Update is provided by Retired Lt Col Steve Simon, USAFA Class of ’77. For more heritage information, visit the Association of Graduates website at USAFA.Org