Wednesday, January 28th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, January 28th — 

On this day, back in 1971 — Brigadier General Walter Galligan becomes the Commandant of Cadets, succeeding Brigadier General Robin Olds. 

…Also on this day, back in 1986 — The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crewmembers.  Colonel Richard Covey, Class of ’68, had been the mission’s Capsule Communicator. The shuttle program was halted for two years while flaws were corrected.  On September 29, 1988, Covey would pilot the first post-Challenger space shuttle flight. 

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