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 18, 2020

The power of a good teacher: Cadet asks influential teacher to commission him into U.S. Space Force

C1C Kishan Patel is commissioned in a virtual ceremony by Lt. Col. Karin McWhorter, his former high school teacher, and a member of the Academy's faculty. (Courtesy Photo) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, April 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Kishan Patel is set to commission into the U.S. Space Force as a cyber officer. Six years ago, he knew nothing about the military. It was his high school math teacher who opened his eyes. Lt. Col. Karin McWhorter taught at the Mississippi School for Math and Science while her husband was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base. McWhorter...

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April 14, 2020

Grad Week Feature: Two Minnesota natives create Academy’s first women’s hockey team

Editors Note: This article was written earlier this year. Club athletics at the Academy are currently on hiatus due to COVID-19. Story and photos by Jennifer Spradlin, April 14, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Sarah Warner and Katelyn Miller grew up on skates. The two Academy seniors played hockey almost as soon as they could walk on makeshift ice rinks in their backyards and neighborhood ponds. “I developed [such a] love of the game. It’s almost like eating -- an essential part of the day. Your body is telling you to get to the rink,” Warner said. Women’s...

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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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December 4, 2019

AF Academy’s ‘host wing’ commander concentrates on community, family

Col. Brian Hartless, commander of the 10th Air Base Wing, the U.S. Air Force Academy's host wing. (Photo/Joshua Armstrong) By Ray Bowden, Dec. 4, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A top commander at the Air Force Academy said the base couldn’t exist without the 10th Air Base Wing. “The 10th ABW does its job as the Academy’s host wing so our mission partners can do theirs,” said Col. Brian Hartless, who has commanded the wing – “Team Ten,” as he and his staff call it – since June. That might be a strong opinion, but it’s shared by the...

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November 19, 2019

AF Academy welcomes guests with extended visiting hours

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, Nov. 19, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Visitors to the Air Force Academy without Defense Department credentials can now enter the base every day between 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. through the North and South gates. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria said the increase in visitor hours will give more guests and Academy supporters the chance to see the Air Force’s only academy. “We are proud to be part of a growing Colorado Springs and Front Range community – an exceptional place to live, work, learn and serve,” he said. “The supportive relationships and...

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July 1, 2019

Air Force Academy goes high-tech with first-responder software

Staff Sgt. Jake Craig, a military working dog handler assigned to the the 10th Security Forces Squadron at the Air Force Academy, and his dog take a break while providing security at Clune Arena, June 27, 2019. The 10th SFS and other first-responders at the base are expected to benefit from the use of the Air Force Disaster Response Force Common Operating Picture, now in use at the base. It's a high-tech emergency-management program that allows first-responders to get accurate, moment by moment information when responding to any major disaster or incident. (Photo/Darcie Ibidapo) By Ray Bowden, July 1, 2019...

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July 31, 2019

Basic cadets march back from Jacks Valley with Academy graduates

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, July 31, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Basic cadets from the Class of 2023 marched back from Jacks Valley to the main Academy campus today after completing field training. During field training, cadets honed the mental, teamwork and physical conditioning skills critical to becoming fourth class cadets in the Cadet Wing. Among other rigorous demands, they tackled the challenges of the leadership reaction course and ran the confidence and assault courses. They also conducted first aid and combat arms training. “The skills and abilities you’ve garnered over the past 34 days are invaluable and...

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August 27, 2019

Air Force pilot trainee accepts tennis award, life’s challenges

Story by 2nd Lt. Robert Guest, Aug. 23, 2019 JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Second Lt. Isaac Perez, a former tennis player at the U.S. Air Force Academy, has been named a 2019 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recipient by the National Collegiate Athletics Association. Perez will be presented with the award during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York Aug. 24, 2019. "Isaac was a role-model for my team the day he stepped on our courts and has always displayed the utmost respect and sportsmanship while representing the Academy," said Dan Oosterhous, head men’s tennis coach...

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