Cadets receive base assignments at Class of 2025 100s Night

Cadets 1st Class Sam Akolo, left, Micah Trusty, center, and Michael Lee display their base assignments during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2025. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Class of 2025 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned their base assignments during the 100s Night Dining-in ceremony in Mitchell Hall Feb. 13. The event, held about 100 days before graduation, marks a key milestone for the soon-to-be commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

“Make the most of these last 100 days,” Class of 2025 President Cadet 1st Class Caleb Kavanaugh told his fellow first-degree cadets. “Cherish and enjoy every minute with your friends. Make the most of your remaining time at the Academy and in Colorado.”

Cadets 1st Class Payne Barksdale, left, Hannah Johnson, middle, and Matt Burke celebrate their base assignment notifications during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2025. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Cadets learn their post-graduation destinations

The cadets eagerly anticipated learning the base where they would begin their military careers. Kavanaugh is a political science major and his first assignment is at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Cadet 1st Class Nika Fedorova, an electrical and computer engineering major, will attend pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

“Tonight, we finally found out where all the hard work the past four years will take us first in our careers as officers,” Fedorova said. “The moment when we found out where our journey begins was special and a time to celebrate.”

U.S. Air Force Academy Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks gives remarks during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2025. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

A night for reflection and anticipation

The evening was filled with excitement, humor and camaraderie as cadets reflected on four years of rigorous academic, military and physical training. 100s Night is more than a symbolic and morale-boosting occasion. It serves as a moment of reflection. The event reminds first-degree cadets of how far they have come and builds excitement for the final stretch of their cadet careers.

“Hundreds Night is a surreal experience,” said Fedorova. “This night is special because it’s our last major event as a class before graduation. It is an awesome milestone we all look forward to, but it is also bittersweet to think about separating from your best friends. It makes me want to enjoy these last 100 days to the max with the people I love.”

Class of 2025 President Cadet 1st Class Caleb Kavanaugh and Cadet 1st Class Francesca Shaefer unveil the official painting during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2024. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Class unveils official painting

Another highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the Class of 2025’s official painting. Class paintings have been an Academy tradition for the past 50 years. The class took an active role with Casper, Wyoming, artist Justin Hayward to create their artwork. The painting features four military aircraft flying against a Colorado sky illuminated by the aurora borealis. The official painting committee chose four aircraft — the A-10 Thunderbolt, B-25 Mitchell, F-15 Eagle and F-22 Raptor. The A-10 and the F-15 are also incorporated into the class crest.

“Our committee loves the final product, and the rest of the class was excited to see it,” Kavanaugh said. “The painting is extremely meaningful to us. We included the northern lights because we had several evenings where we could see them here. Seeing the lights was a cool and unique experience.”

The class has prints of the Class of 2025 official painting available on the class merchandise website. See more photos of the Class of 2025 100s Night.