May 20, 2022

171 cadet-candidates graduate from Academy’s prep school

Col. Melissa Youderian, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, congratulates Cadet Candidate Bryce Matthew Leapart during the prep school's graduation ceremony, May 16, 2022 in Arnold Hall. (Photo by Justin Pacheco) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Scores of cadet-candidates celebrated their graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 16, 2022. All told, 171 cadet-candidates graduated after completing an uncompromising ten-month program to develop their academic, military and athletic skills, said Col. Melissa Youderian, U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School commander. “It wasn’t easy, but...

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May 20, 2022

Innovation at the Academy: It’s like riding a bike

(Photo/Col. Christopher McClernon) Commentary By Col Christopher McClernon U.S. Air Force Academy associate dean of research U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A 1973 article by S. S. Wilson in Scientific American compared the efficiency of animals in motion and found birds and fish are much more efficient than walking or running humans. However, Wilson then tested a human on a bicycle and found that a cyclist was more efficient than all other animals studied. Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., often cited these findings to emphasize the value of tools, referring to the computer as a...

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May 11, 2022

Cadets experience operational Air Force at Cannon ABF, NM

Story by Airman 1st Class Drew Cybert, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy visited the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, to get a look at an operational Air Force base, April 21. This is the first time in two years that cadets from the Academy toured Cannon for a sponsor base wing trip to witness how an operational Air Force Special Operations Command base functions. "It’s an awesome opportunity for the cadets to get their hands on some aircraft, talk to...

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May 2, 2022

Head of Air Force Academy’s astro department transfers to Space Force

Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, dean of the faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy, congratulates Col. Luke Sauter, head of the school's head astronautics department, on his transfer to the Space Force, April 29, 2022. Sauter is now the first Guardian to be a permanent professor at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A leading space expert at the U.S. Air Force Academy was sworn into the Space Force April 29, making him the first Space Force officer to be a permanent professor at the...

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April 29, 2022

Secretary of Defense Austin named Class of ‘22 commencement speaker

WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2021) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III poses for his official portrait in the Army portrait studio at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Jan 23, 2020.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. XaViera Masline) By U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark and the Class of 2022 are honored to announce the 28th Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin III, will be the commencement speaker for the Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony May 25, 2022. Austin was sworn in as the 28th Secretary of Defense January 22, 2021. He's is...

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April 25, 2022

Air Force Academy, Air University partnership shows growth 2 years after agreement signed

Lt. Col. Daniel Bolin (upper left), an Air University-U.S. Air Force Academy liaison, teaches operations design in an Academy classroom in April 2022. A memorandum of understanding signed two years ago between Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. and the Air Force Academy increases the partnership between the Air and Space Force's two flagship educational institutions. (Courtesy photo) Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Relationships between the Air Force’s top educational institutions continue to grow two years after the Air Force Academy superintendent and Air University president signed an...

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April 21, 2022

U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project expands

Efforts to preserve national historic landmark extend completion date to 2027 (Photo by Trevor Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A meticulous renovation project to revamp the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel became even more painstaking with the discovery of the extent of asbestos throughout the iconic 60 year old building. Discovering more asbestos than originally predicted adds a new layer of complexity to the renovations that began in September 2019, but the plan to restore every facet of the building to its original state remains the same, said Lt. Gen....

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April 18, 2022

U.S. Air Force Academy celebrates research achievements at annual awards ceremony

Photo by Joshua Armstrong Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A new award was unveiled at the annual Dean’s Research Awards Ceremony, and the Air Force’s top research officer encouraged cadets to never give up their fight for innovation April 8. The annual ceremony heralds the school’s research programs spanning the academic majors, including engineering, humanities, science and social sciences. Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and the ceremony’s guest speaker, said the schools scientific endeavors advances the...

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April 18, 2022

U.S. Air Force Academy’s computer and cyber sciences department recognized as ‘National Center of Academic Excellence’

By Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The National Security Agency named the U.S. Air Force Academy’s computer and cyber sciences department a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense earlier this year, placing the school in the ranks of six other colleges in Colorado advancing cyber security. The designation is awarded to regionally accredited institutions offering graduates cyber security credentials and, at the Academy, the title is valid through 2027 Maj. Bobby Birrer, the Academy’s cyber science branch chief, said the NSA completed two reviews of the computer and cyber...

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April 15, 2022

Commentary: Air Force Academy plays leading role in 2022’s great space rush

Col. Chris McClernon, associate dean of research and director of the research office at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force Academy photo) Commentary by Col. Chris McClernon U.S. Air Force Academy associate dean of research U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - One week after the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, I reflect on the significance of the event. More than 10,000 people attended this year’s symposium representing small business, big business, academia and defense organizations from more than 40 countries. Colorado is the nation’s No. 1 state for private-sector space employment per capita and produces the U.S.’s second-largest...

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