May 18, 2020

‘I-Day’ Update: Academy preps for arrival of class of 2024

By Ray Bowden, May 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy’s superintendent announced May 7 that the school is preparing for the June arrival of its next class of cadets. “We’re establishing quarantine guidance, testing, and restriction of movement policies that mirror the guidelines and policies of the Defense Department and State of Colorado,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy’s superintendent. Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, commandant of cadets, said despite the coronavirus outbreak posing more than a few challenges to the school and U.S. military at large, the Academy’s military and academic training continues....

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May 6, 2020

Air Force Academy satellite to launch aboard X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, May 6, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A satellite built by Air Force Academy cadets will launch into space May 16 aboard the X-37B, Orbital Test Vehicle sponsored by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and built by Boeing. This is the first time a satellite built and designed by cadets will catch a ride into space aboard the X-37B. (See the May 6 report from the Secretary of the Air Force about the launch here: https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2177702/next-x-37b-orbital-test-vehicle-scheduled-to-launch) Lt. Col. Dan Showalter, assistant astronautics professor at the Academy, said “as novel as this...

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April 27, 2020

Public health emergency at Academy extended for 30 days, some restrictions lifted May 1

Story by Ray Bowden, April 27, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- After the base commander extended the public health emergency at the Air Force Academy until May 23, Col. Brian Hartless, 10 Air Base Wing Commander, also announced he intends to reopen parts of the base, a move in line with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ “safer at home” order. Polis announced his order to govern the phased reopening of some businesses in the state April 26. Hartless said barring any uptick in the number of coronavirus cases in Colorado Springs, El Paso County or the State, and pending further...

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April 18, 2020

Graduation Day: Air Force Academy celebrates Class of 2020

Story by Ray Bowden, photos by Staff Sgt. J.T. Armstrong, April 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Graduation for the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2020 may have been different from what cadets originally expected, but the ceremony on the terrazzo April 18 contained all the trappings and formality you’d expect the school to deliver. Vice President Mike Pence changed his plans amid the global COVID-19 pandemic to give the commencement address, the Thunderbirds flew over, and 967 new officers closed-out their four years at the school by hurling their caps into the air at the end of...

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April 7, 2020

Combating COVID-19: Academy tailors make masks for cadets

Dinia Clemons of the cadet tailor shop at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Story by Ray Bowden, photo by Trevor Cokely, April 7, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- If all goes as planned, senior cadets who stayed at the Air Force Academy to complete their bachelor’s degree during the COVID-19 outbreak will get face masks before the weekend. “Our goal is to distribute these masks to every cadet by close-of-business, Friday,” said Steven Norman, flight chief for cadet logistics. Tailors are making the 10-inch by 6-inch cotton masks at the cadet tailor shop in Sijan Hall. Norman said the...

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April 3, 2020

‘We’ve got this’: Cadet Wing commander thanks parents, grads

Cadet 1st Class Haeley Deeney (right), Air Force Academy Cadet Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, the school's commandant of cadets. Commentary by Cadet 1st Class Haeley Deeney, Air Force Academy Cadet Wing commander, April 3, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Having dealt with myriad uncertainties over the past two weeks, I asked Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the superintendent of the Air Force Academy, if I could draft a letter to both parents and grads to let them know the cadet mindset and truth of our current situation. We are immensely grateful for your love and support over the past...

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April 1, 2020

AF Academy Class of 2020 graduation date moves up

Staff reports, April 1, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Class of 2020 is pleased to announce their graduation event on April 18, culminating four years at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The class is planning an event six weeks ahead of schedule, allowing them to celebrate together while ensuring their health and safety by adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense guidelines. Family, friends, and the public will be able to live stream the entirety of the event, although they will not be able to attend in person due to health and safety concerns....

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March 25, 2020

Cadets continue their education online during COVID-19 outbreak

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Edward Lopez. Story by  Ray Bowden, March 25, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo -- Online distance learning for nearly 3,000 Air Force Academy cadets sent home to their friends and families will start March 25. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria released all but the senior cadets and a few underclassmen-and-women from campus to increase the seniors’ chance of graduating on time and to promote the health of the base population. “Ultimately, the deciding factor was recommendations from our public health officials and the inability to execute social distancing for over 4,000 cadets...

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March 24, 2020

AF Academy declares public health emergency

Staff report, March 24, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Academy installation commander declared a public health emergency for the base March 23 due to the evolving threat of COVID-19. Additionally, base officials elevated the Academy's health protection condition to HPCON-Charlie to further safeguard service members, community and the national defense missions supported here. We will continue to put updated information on our Academy social media outlets and at https://www.usafa.af.mil/Coronavirus/ and https://www.usafa.edu/Coronavirus. The declaration of a public health emergency allows the base commander to take certain protective measures, such as restricting base movement and limiting services. The emergency order is in...

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March 13, 2020

Air Force Academy to begin early release of cadets

Staff report, March 13, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, and with multiple members of our base populace being monitored, we have made the conservative decision to begin an orderly dismissal of a large segment of our Cadet population. The goal of this action is to maximize the chances of graduating our senior class on time for our Air and Space Forces while ensuring the best possible care for the entire base populace.  We did not make this decision lightly; we consulted with our medical professionals, sister service academies and local civic leaders,...

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