May 23, 2017

979 cadets to graduate May 24

  U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 23, 2017 Nearly 1,000 cadets will receive bachelor degrees and commissions as second lieutenants May 24. In all, 979 cadets are slated to graduate with the Class of 2017. All service academy graduates entering active duty incur a five-year service commitment and an additional concurrent service commitment, depending on the type of training or scholarships they’ll receive, according to U.S. Code. For example, graduating cadets slated to attend pilot training incur an active duty service commitment of 10 years after earning their pilot wings. After completing their training, combat system navigators and remotely...

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May 22, 2017

28th commandant of cadets assumes command of Cadet Wing

  Maureen Welch/May 22, 2017 Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin took charge of the Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 15 when Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson handed her the CW’s guidon during an assumption of command ceremony. As commandant, Goodwin now commands a 4,000-member cadet wing, as well as a staff of more than 200 Airmen and civilians who manage cadet character and leadership development, military training, logistics and facilities and daily activities. Goodwin, a 1993 Academy graduate, spoke to the Cadet Wing, senior leaders, Academy faculty and staff, visiting dignitaries and graduates, about the lessons she’s...

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May 22, 2017

Graduation Week Update: Air Force Thunderbirds schedule practice, performance

        U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 22, 2017 The Air Force's air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, are scheduled to perform May 24 at the end of the graduation ceremony for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2017. The Thunderbirds will practice their full performance 11 a.m.-noon, May 23, over Falcon Stadium, weather allowing. The team's graduation day performance start-time depends on the timing with the end-of-ceremony hat toss, but is expected to take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. The performance will last approximately 30 minutes. Some roads at the Academy will be closed for safety during...

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May 19, 2017

New commandant of cadets reports for duty: Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin says leadership development, innovation will be her focus

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 19, 2017 When you chat with Brigadier General Kristin Goodwin, you get a sense that something exciting is about to happen. She leans forward in her chair with a smile in her eyes when she talks about the things that excite her … like the Air Force Academy, Airmen, and the Air Force. And this Airman is passionate about continuing the Academy’s quest for innovation and developing forward-thinking leaders as the Commandant of Cadets. “I’m excited, humbled, and honored to be back at my alma mater, an alma mater I love and am very...

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May 19, 2017

Academy to host graduation parade May 23

  U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 19, 2017 The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2017 Graduation Parade is May 23 at Stillman Parade Field. Parade events begin at 7:25 a.m. when Wings of Blue are scheduled to jump into Stillman Field. Then the full Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, from Washington D.C., will showcase a complete drill performance. Cadet aerial capabilities demonstration, along with Cadet Falconry Team and the Saber Drill Team, are scheduled to perform. This will be the last parade for the Class of 2017 as they turn over command of the Cadet Wing to...

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May 18, 2017

10th SFS ‘Defenders’ raise $3.3K for AFAF

By Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes/May 18, 2017 The 10th Security Forces Squadron raised $3,300 for the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign May 12 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Staff Sgts. Jacob Duncan and Justin Snyder, 10th SFS, led 17 security forces volunteers in washing car windshields and soliciting donations at the Academy Shopette. “The fundraiser was an overwhelming success,” Duncan said. With the theme “Commitment to caring,” the campaign is an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates in support of Air Force families in need. For 2017, the Academy’s goal is $45,530, part of the...

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May 17, 2017

President nominates Academy grad to be next superintendent

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 17, 2017 Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced May 17 that President Donald Trump has nominated Maj. Gen. Jay B. Silveria for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy. Silveria, a 1985 Academy graduate, most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and deputy commander of the Combined Air Force Air Component, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia. He will direct the Academy’s undergraduate academic program, cadet military and athletic training and character development, leading to a bachelor of science degree and...

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May 16, 2017

Academy recognizes Outstanding Educator and Heiser awards winners

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 16, 2017 The U.S. Air Force Academy celebrated its academic staff May 5 at the 41st Outstanding Academy Educator and Heiser Awards Ceremony. Professors Aaron Byerley and Charles Steele were selected by senior cadets to receive the Heiser Award, named after Professor Emeritus Dr. William H. Heiser. Heiser was an honorary fellow for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2010, along with former Secretary of the Air Force Sheila Widnall. "The Heiser Award highlights the high esteem our cadets hold for our professorial and academic staff,” said Dean of Faculty Brig. Gen....

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May 12, 2017

Senate confirms USAFA grad Wilson as Air Force Secretary

  Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs/May 11, 2017 Heather Wilson will be the next secretary of the Air Force, following her confirmation by the Senate May 8, 2017. Wilson, who is stepping down from her position as the president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to take the post, is expected to be sworn in within a week. "We live in a remarkable country, protected by innovators and intrepid Airmen who take great risks on our behalf," said Wilson. "I look forward to getting to work, focusing on readiness, modernization, development of leaders and research...

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May 10, 2017

Cadet, professor improve body armor technology

Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes/May 10, 2017 A cadet and professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy concocted a thick gel that can stop a bullet fired from a .44 Magnum. Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir and military and strategic studies professor Ryan Burke created the gel that enhances body armor when inserted into the right material. They designed the materiel for the body armor, too. Their model uses 75-percent less fabric than typical military-style body armor, weighs far less and is half as thick. So far, their invention has grabbed the attention of the Department of Homeland Security, various...

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