By Harry Lundy
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy is a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics institution, frequently ranked among the nation’s top STEM programs. Cadets develop analytical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills to operate in a rapidly evolving technological environment.

Graduates must be agile thinkers and creative problem-solvers who can meet future challenges in the air, space and cyberspace domains. The Academy provides a rigorous academic foundation to support Air Force and Space Force missions.

Chemistry

Chemistry majors like Cadet 1st Class Emily Adair study concepts that form the foundation for applications in medicine, air, space and rocket propulsion and nuclear and biological treaty compliance testing. Adair said what appeals to her most is how chemistry explains the world at the molecular level.

“The most significant project I have worked on is a small molecular sensor,” Adair said. The sensor shows promise as a cost-effective method for detecting chemical warfare agents.

“My goal is that this work will serve as a foundation for future cadets to incorporate its use operationally, providing better protection for military personnel through faster detection,” she said.

Adair has learned to view setbacks as opportunities for adjustment, rather than dead ends, using them to move forward when experiments yield unexpected results.

“In chemistry, we troubleshoot problems by making adjustments,” Adair said. “I will carry this mindset into the operational Air Force, showing the importance of growing from lessons learned.”

Cadet 1st Class Lauren Mirande examines volcanic rock in the Geospatial Science Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 19, 2026. Mirande is learning the importance of terrain in military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Geospatial science

Geospatial science majors like Cadet 1st Class Lauren Mirande use technology and geographic expertise to analyze complex data and make informed decisions that shape the future of the Air Force and Space Force.

“Declaring this major is one of the best decisions I have made,” Mirande said. “It is highly hands-on, project-based and involves field trips that reinforce classroom learning.”

Mirande applied her geoscience skills during a three-week Cadet Summer Research Program internship at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. She used a remote imaging sensor to survey mountains and identify subsurface minerals and resources, discovering an abundance of hydrogen with growing potential as a clean energy source.

She later learned the Air Force had issued a request for information on hydrogen’s value to the military.

“Knowing that the Air Force is interested in the energy dependence and long-term sustainability of hydrogen made my work feel valuable,” she said.

Through geosciences, Mirande studies Earth as an ever-changing, dynamic system. Her courses help her understand its present state, examine the history that has shaped it and analyze the forces that will shape its future.

“This awareness shapes how the military understands the environment and conducts operations to remain ahead of our adversaries,” Mirande said.

Cadet 1st Class Wyatt Shamblin uses an anemometer to check surface winds before launching a weather balloon at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 17, 2026. Shamblin is learning the effects of weather on aircraft performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Meteorology

Meteorology majors like Cadet 1st Class Wyatt Shamblin learn to make decisions that affect operations such as airstrikes and space launches. Throughout history, weather has played a role in the outcomes of conflicts and will continue to do so.

Cadets use critical thinking to analyze charts and weather models, and equations to predict atmospheric behavior. “We learn about the effects of weather and the importance of providing accurate information to ensure mission success,” Shamblin said.

As a first-class cadet, Shamblin appreciates the small, six-person class sizes in the major.

“We are a tight-knit group that values teamwork and builds each other up,” Shamblin said. “We are learning the importance of weather and the value of making the right call, even when it is unpopular.

See more photos of our cadets in action across STEM on Flickr.

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By SSgt Michael Ward
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As global deterrence dynamics continue to evolve, the Air Force is renewing its focus on strategic readiness. The Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor at the U.S. Air Force Academy helps cadets develop technical and strategic expertise. It prepares future officers to support the nation’s nuclear enterprise and strategic deterrence mission. Designed for cadets from all academic majors, the interdisciplinary program provides foundational knowledge across nuclear science, engineering, policy and strategy. These disciplines are essential to sustain credible deterrence and ensure future officers are prepared to operate in a complex strategic environment.

“Our curriculum equips cadets with the knowledge, skills and readiness needed to contribute effectively to the nuclear enterprise,” said Lt Col Matthew Recker, director of nuclear science and assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Meteorology. “We use unclassified instruction in nuclear engineering, strategy and policy, then supplement that with classified guest lectures from Department of Energy experts and experiential learning opportunities.”

Recker explained that cadets also engage directly with the operational nuclear enterprise through visits to national laboratories, missile wings and the Nevada National Security Site.

A cross-disciplinary academic foundation

The Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor integrates technical and policy-focused coursework across multiple academic departments. To earn the minor, cadets complete five core courses totaling 15 semester hours and earn a grade of C or better in each. The curriculum provides foundational knowledge in nuclear science, weapons engineering, effects and policy, while allowing cadets to tailor their experience through academic focus, research and collaboration with faculty and peers.

Coursework includes Principles of Nuclear Science, Nuclear Weapons Engineering, Nuclear Weapons Effects and Nuclear Weapons Policy and Strategy, along with an option course, such as American Foreign and National Security Policy.

The minor is open to cadets from all majors. Program requirements limit enrollment to a maximum of three courses from any single department, reinforcing the interdisciplinary focus.

According to Recker, this approach reflects the realities of today’s nuclear challenges.

“Nuclear engineering is essential to understand how weapons work and to predict their effects,” Recker said. “But nuclear weapons must also be understood through history and national policy. Their impact extends into deterrence, nonproliferation and mission planning.”

Cadet 1st Class Andrew Katz, a Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor, learns about the nuclear enterprise, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 27, 2026. The Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor provides a pathway for cadets from all majors to build the technical and strategic foundation to lead the U.S. Air Force in the second nuclear age. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Academic relevance and future applications

The Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor provides cadets with the technical and strategic foundation needed to support the nuclear enterprise after commissioning. Coursework prepares cadets for roles in operations, intelligence and policy while also supporting future education, research and training opportunities within both the Department of War and the Department of Energy.

Cadet 1st Class Andrew Katz said the program has given him a stronger understanding of how technical knowledge applies to real-world nuclear operations.

“As a future pilot, it gives me a better understanding of how airpower fits into the nuclear mission and prepares me to bridge operational flying with strategic-level deterrence work,” Katz said.

Cadets also gain opportunities to apply classroom learning through research and immersive academic programs. Cadet 1st Class Lillianna Turra said her experience in a six-week Cadet Summer Research Program, led by the Institute for National Security Studies and funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Wargaming Division, focused on U.S. extended deterrence to NATO significantly shaped her perspective.

Hands-on research and summer programs give cadets a deeper understanding of nuclear strategy and its real-world complexities.

“The research gave me a strong foundation, but the conversations with government officials and think tanks helped me understand the nuance involved in nuclear strategy,” Turra said. “It also taught me lessons in diplomacy and cultural awareness that will be critical as an officer.”

Cadet 1st Class Andrew Katz, a Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor, engages in classroom discussion, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 27, 2026. The skills and abilities developed in the Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor are of high importance to the execution of the Air Force’s nuclear mission, maintenance of the Air Force’s nuclear arsenal, and may be applied in many Air Force career fields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Preparing future nuclear enterprise leaders

As the global security environment continues to evolve, the Nuclear Weapons and Strategy minor offers a structured academic path for cadets interested in contributing to the nation’s nuclear mission.

The program develops cadets’ understanding of how career fields contribute to deterrence and how daily decisions align with strategic outcomes.

“This minor helps me lead more strategically because it shows how every career field directly or indirectly affects nuclear deterrence,” Katz said. “It helps explain why the mission matters.”

Recker noted the program also provides rare access to classified nuclear education.

“For most cadets, this will be their only opportunity to learn the classified specifics of nuclear weapons unless they enter the missile or nuclear engineering career fields,” he said.

By providing cadets with exposure to the strategic, technical and policy dimensions of nuclear deterrence, the program ensures future Air Force and Space Force leaders are prepared for global security responsibilities.

Learn more about the Institute for National Security Studies and Academy majors and minors.

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By SSgt Michael Ward
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Quantum information science is a new field at the intersection of physics, computing and engineering, rapidly shaping the future of warfare, communication and intelligence. The Quantum Technologies minor prepares cadets to lead in this emerging domain, ensuring the Air Force and Space Force remain on the forefront of technological innovation.

Designed for cadets from any academic major, this interdisciplinary program provides foundational knowledge across quantum computing, sensing, networking and timing. These capabilities will revolutionize the way the Department of War executes missions, manages information and maintains its competitive advantage.

“Quantum technologies will make significant impacts in timing, sensors, communication and computers in the very near future,” said Dr. Monte Anderson, assistant professor of physics and co-developer of the Quantum Technologies minor. “We want to teach fundamentals in a way that’s accessible to students so we can train quantum leaders for the Air Force and Space Force.”

A cross-disciplinary academic foundation

To achieve its mission, the Quantum Technologies minor integrates physics, computer science and engineering into a single program of study. Cadets complete a structured sequence of core coursework, with most courses taken in residence and applied exclusively to the minor.

Core coursework introduces cadets to both theoretical and applied quantum concepts through:

• Foundational physics courses with laboratory experience
• Introductory and applied courses in quantum technologies
• Quantum computing coursework within the computer science curriculum
• An additional track course tailored to each cadet’s academic focus

To promote interdisciplinary learning, the program draws coursework from multiple academic departments.

According to Anderson, the interdisciplinary approach directly supports Air Force and Space Force needs. Quantum technologies will touch every domain, from computer systems to sensors on aircraft and spacecraft, so future leaders must understand the fundamentals to make informed operational decisions.

Cadet 1st Class Emma Williams, a Physics major, aligns an optical train at the Laser and Optics Research Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 13, 2026. The Quantum Technologies minor integrates physics, computer science and engineering to prepare cadets for future operational and technical leadership roles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Academic relevance and future applications

The Quantum Technologies minor gives cadets the knowledge and technical foundation needed to lead in quantum research, development and acquisition. Coursework introduces them to quantum sensors, networks and computing architectures expected to shape the next generation of secure communications, advanced navigation and precision timing systems.

Cadets can tailor their studies through focus areas connecting quantum technologies to academic and professional interests, including foundations of quantum mechanics, cyber applications, engineering systems and strategic impact.

For Cadet 1st Class Gracelynn Olinger, a Physics major who has taken multiple quantum courses, the appeal lies in the operational advantage the technology provides.

“Being able to harness quantum technologies like faster computing and secure communications will give us a leg up against our adversaries,” Olinger said. “Understanding even the basics helps future officers make better decisions in an increasingly technical battlespace.”

Anderson emphasized that quantum education challenges cadets to rethink how they approach complex problems.

“Quantum mechanics is counterintuitive and requires deliberate effort to develop intuition,” Anderson said. “By introducing rigorous quantum concepts earlier, cadets are able to engage in meaningful research across science, engineering and strategic disciplines.”

Cadet 1st Class Gracelynn Olinger, a Physics major, condenses the radioactive test sample from the Atom Trap Trace Analysis system in the Lasers and Optics Research Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 13, 2026. The Quantum Technologies minor prepares cadets from all majors to understand emerging quantum capabilities relevant to Air and Space Force missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Preparing tomorrow’s quantum leaders

Graduates of the Quantum Technologies minor will be among the first generation of quantum-proficient officers ready to guide the Air Force and Space Force into the next technological era. They will be prepared to lead multidisciplinary teams, support acquisition programs and evaluate emerging quantum systems for operational use.

Cadet 1st Class Emma Williams said the program has strengthened her critical thinking and her ability to manage complex challenges.

“This program challenged me to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills that directly translate to leadership,” Williams said. “Understanding quantum technologies now helps prepare me to serve more effectively as an Air Force officer in the future.”

Hands-on research is a key component of the program. Cadets participate in laboratory research and external programs at national laboratories and operational units.

Cadet 2nd Class Jacob Grayson, a Physics major, said the rigor of the minor is what makes it valuable.

“The difficulty is part of what makes this program so rewarding,” Grayson said. “It pushes you to build resilience, find mentorship and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.”

As the United States builds a quantum-proficient workforce, the Quantum Technologies minor prepares Academy graduates to meet that national mandate, equipping them with both technical understanding and strategic insight.

See more photos of the Quantum Technologies Lab. Learn more about how the Academy is shaping our future officers.

Cadet 2nd Class Jacob Grayson, a Physics major, adjusts an optical device at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 13, 2026. The Quantum Technologies minor provides cadets hands on experience with emerging quantum computing, sensing, and communications technologies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

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By Harry Lundy
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – In the Department of Physics and Meteorology at the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets gain experience building payloads. In the department’s Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC), their latest project in the International Space Station is the Falcon Optical Defense and Intelligence through Neuromorphics (ODIN) camera. With this technology, cadets gather and analyze data to predict events in the near-Earth orbit of space, increasing awareness in the contested space domain.

Cadet 2nd Class Alexander Le and Dr. Matthew McHarg examine the optics on the engineering unit of Falcon Optical Defense and Intelligence through Neuromorphics, Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 16, 2025. Le is the lead cadet compiling data monitoring the geospace environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Critical thinking is challenged

Falcon ODIN is an event-based camera attached to the International Space Station. It uses a neuromorphic camera that operates more like the human eye than a regular camera. It can track items that move fast across its field of view.

With this new technology comes new problems that challenge what cadets learn in the classroom and require them to use critical thinking, according to Cadet 2nd Class Alexander Le, a double major in astronautical engineering and physics.

“Our critical thinking skills are challenged by data that is non-uniform and non-linear,” said Le. “This has made me go back to the fundamentals from class and take a deeper look at how to interpret data.”

This experience has impacted his future plans and goals.

“It also made me realize that I want to be a physicist.”

Cadet 2nd Class Anna Harden compares the high-speed Phantom camera, left, with the event-based sensor camera, right, Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 16, 2025. The compact event-based camera monitors the geospace environment at 10,000 frames per second compared to the 1,850 fps of the Phantom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Increasing capabilities and reliable nuclear detection in space

Since its launch in April, cadets and faculty employ the Falcon ODIN camera to develop innovative methods for utilizing data to monitor spacecraft and detect fast-moving objects within the atmosphere.

The new technology also enables the camera to function as a bhangmeter- a specialized imaging radiometer- which detects atmospheric nuclear detonations.

“The research we are doing is important because reliable nuclear detection in space or the atmosphere is critical for national security and defense,” said Cadet 2nd Class Anna Harden, an electrical and computer engineering major. “This project supports developing more advanced detection methods.”

Harden is also learning skills that will apply to her future career.

“This is teaching me the valuable skills of critical thinking, decision making and understanding rapidly changing situations,” Harden said. “All of these are important in any operational environment I may be in after graduation.

The $4,500 event-based camera, foreground, has the same effective capability as the Phantom camera, in monitoring the geospace environment, Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 16, 2025. The event-based camera provides a lighter payload and provides cost savings of $180,500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Partners with purpose

The event camera on Falcon ODIN has a faster-than-real-time recording capability, running at 10,000 frames a second. This is important for detecting challenging threats such as hypersonic re-entry vehicles, missiles or fast-moving aircraft.

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate works with SPARC, helping design experiments that cadets can analyze and use in their research.

“Our partnership has a lot to do with space domain awareness, which is very important to the Space Force,” said Dr. Mathew McHarg, director of SPARC. “We can also track fast-moving things on earth, which is important to the Air Force.”

The technology helps achieve a Department of War priority of deterrence through defending our homeland in the space domain.

Additionally, McHarg and the cadets hope that this experiment will help the Space Force improve the tracking of active and inoperable satellites, as well as debris, and better distinguish between them, including their locations and activities.

“By analyzing real national security problems, this project emphasizes the need for military readiness,” said Harden.

Learn more about the Academy’s research centers.

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By Mackenzie Mendez
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets took on the rigorous Spring 2025 Culminating Exercise (CULEX), an essential training event designed to enhance their warfighter readiness and leadership skills, March 5-8.

This year’s exercise marks a significant shift from previous iterations, serving as a test of concept for future training exercises. The spring CULEX represents a crucial step in the Academy’s ongoing evolution, moving towards what will eventually be known as “The Crucible.”

This multi-day field training event evaluated all cadets’ proficiency in newly developed Ready Airman Training (RAT) skills, reinforcing their preparedness for Agile Combat Employment.

Training for the Future Fight

The Academy has spent the past academic year refining its RAT curriculum, ensuring cadets gain hands-on experience with the tactical and strategic skills required for modern combat environments. The Spring 2025 CULEX tested cadets’ adaptability, leadership, and mission execution capabilities in physically and mentally demanding scenarios. These challenges included day and night operations spread across four rotations, simulating the complexity of real-world military engagements.

“This CULEX represents a significant evolution in how we train our cadets, ensuring they are ready for the demands of dynamic operating environments,” said Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks, Academy commandant of cadets. “By focusing on individual proficiency and team execution under stress, we are developing leaders who can think critically, adapt quickly, and execute missions effectively in adverse conditions.”

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets conduct nighttime operations during the 2025 Spring Culminating Exercise at the Academy, Colo., March 5, 2025. This exercise was designed to cultivate a warfighter mindset among cadets, ensuring they developed confidence in decision-making, physical and mental resilience, and realistic combat preparation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Exercise in Action

During CULEX, cadets were immersed in a simulated operational environment that required them to apply mission planning and execution, combat tactics, leadership under pressure, and joint operations teamwork.

“We’ve designed this CULEX to assess cadets on Ready Airmen Training skills, while challenging them as future warfighters,” said Maj. James Moore, Cadet Wing military training deputy branch chief and CULEX lead planner. “The Culminating Exercise was a first step towards a dynamic and realistic experience, where they will be required to lead, use critical thinking in unpredictable scenarios, and demonstrate the core skills essential for Agile Combat Employment. Our goal is to prepare cadets for the realities they will face as future officers.”

This exercise was designed to cultivate a warfighter mindset among cadets, ensuring they developed confidence in decision-making, physical and mental resilience, and realistic combat preparation.

Building on Past Success

Last fall, cadets from all 40 squadrons participated in the 2024 Fall CULEX, a two-day event replacing the Commandant’s Challenge and Commandant Training Day. This shift was part of Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind’s broader initiative to forge warfighters ready to win.

A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet conducts field training during the 2025 Spring Culminating Exercise at the Academy, Colo., March 6, 2025. During the exercise, cadets trained in troop movement techniques, land navigation, convoy operations, and reacting to enemy contact—key skills essential for effective leadership in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Building on the success of the 2024 exercise, the Spring 2025 CULEX further refined the Academy’s training methodology. By embedding realistic expeditionary warfare training into the cadet experience, the Academy ensures its graduates are prepared to lead in complex, high-threat environments.

Preparing Cadets for the Future Battlefield

In addition to mastering airpower operations, the Academy recognizes the critical importance of ground combat skills in modern warfare. Cadets trained in troop movement techniques, land navigation, convoy operations, and reacting to enemy contact—key skills essential for effective leadership in contested environments.

A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet participates in the Superintendent Fitness Challenge during the 2025 Spring Culminating Exercise at the Academy, Colo., March 7, 2025. This year’s exercise marks a significant shift from previous iterations, serving as a test of concept for future training exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

“This CULEX challenged every cadet to think and act under pressure, making training more realistic and preparing us for real-world operations,” said Cadet 3rd Class Camden Hamilton, a physics major. “We were pushed to shoot, move, communicate, and perform in high-stress environments as both individuals and as teams.”

Through these challenging training events, cadets gained exposure to the complexities of leading troops in combat scenarios, reinforcing their ability to execute the mission. The Spring 2025 CULEX is a vital step in shaping the next generation of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers, ensuring they graduate with the resilience, adaptability, and combat readiness required to lead in the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare.

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By Mackenzie Mendez
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Returning to the U.S. Air Force Academy as an instructor in the Department of Physics and Meteorology has been more than just a career milestone for Maj. Kaz “Dexter” Moffett. It’s a homecoming that has allowed him to shape the next generation of officers, not only by teaching physics but also through mentorship and role modeling that extends far beyond the classroom.

A Unique Blend of Operational and Academic Experience

A 2015 Academy graduate, Moffett’s journey into physics and nuclear engineering wasn’t always clear. He recalls being uncertain about his academic major until a pivotal lecture in Physics 215 changed everything.

“My physics instructor explained how nuclear weapons worked, and that lecture lit a fire of curiosity in me that has yet to be extinguished,” he said.

That lecture set him on a path that led to further education in nuclear engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and a career in missile operations, culminating in a role that integrates real-world experience with academic instruction.

Before returning to the Academy, Moffett served as a missileer and weapons officer, where he gained extensive operational experience with the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system. His assignments took him to key installations where he worked on nuclear deterrence strategy and missile operations, ensuring mission readiness and national security. His time in these roles solidified his passion for nuclear engineering and strategic defense, shaping his approach to both technical expertise and leadership development.

Moffett brings this real-world insight into his teaching, ensuring that physics is not just an abstract subject but a foundation for critical thinking.

Maj. Kaz “Dexter” Moffett, U.S. Air Force Academy Physics instructor, teaches a lesson on the electromagnetic spectrum using an ion beam at the Academy, Colo., Feb. 12, 2025. In addition to his role as an instructor, Moffett actively mentors cadets who are considering careers in nuclear engineering, missile operations, or other technical fields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

“One thing I want my students to take away is that learning physics isn’t just about understanding the universe and the forces that drive it,” Moffett said. “Rather, the purpose behind my course and many other STEM courses is to teach students how to think—how to take a few concepts and see how they are interconnected within a much larger system.”

Innovative Teaching and Mentorship

Lt. Col. James Bowers, the deputy department head and assistant professor of physics, has seen firsthand Moffett’s impact on cadets.

“Maj. Moffett brings an energy and spirit that is captivating. That gravitas inspires cadets inside and outside the classroom to achieve more,” Bowers said. “Between stories of pulling alerts, coaching cadets through course material, or just being a sounding board, I have witnessed Kaz making a unique difference.”

Beyond the classroom, Moffett’s influence extends into mentorship and leadership development. As the team officer representative for the cadet swim and dive team, he has fostered strong relationships with cadets, a testament to his commitment to their growth.

“I was floored at his recent promotion ceremony when so many cadet swim and dive team members showed up to celebrate him,” Bowers said. “You don’t get that kind of presence by just doing your J-O-B. You get that from pouring your all into everything.”

In addition to his role as an instructor, Moffett actively mentors cadets who are considering careers in nuclear engineering, missile operations, or other technical fields. He regularly meets with students to provide guidance on career paths, postgraduate education, and leadership within the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. His ability to connect with cadets on both a personal and professional level has made him a sought-after advisor among students navigating the complexities of military service and technical expertise.

Moffett’s technical expertise has led to major contributions to the department, extending into curriculum enhancements and experiential learning opportunities. He has played a key role in strengthening the Nuclear Weapons and Strategy Minor, coordinating field trips, and integrating with mission elements to provide cadets with a broader understanding of the nuclear enterprise.

Maj. Kaz “Dexter” Moffett, U.S. Air Force Academy Physics instructor, poses for a photo in his classroom at the Academy, Colo., Feb. 12, 2025. A 2014 Academy graduate, Moffett’s journey into physics and nuclear engineering wasn’t always clear. He recalls being uncertain about his academic major until a pivotal lecture in Physics 215 ignited his passion for physics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

“I encourage my students to explore all forms of knowledge and find ways to apply that to their passions in life,” he said. “I know a lot of my students will not go on to be missileers or nuclear engineers, but even exposure to the missions I have served in will undoubtedly prove useful at some point in their careers.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders

As an instructor, mentor, and leader, Moffett embodies the Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character and quality. Bowers summed it up best:

“Maj. Moffett is a Character of Character. His life—from military child to cadet to operations—has shaped his demeanor and delivery to motivate and inspire while setting the example in thought and deed of effective leadership.”

For Moffett, the ultimate reward is seeing cadets grow and support each other.

“The most rewarding experience is when I see cadets helping each other and replicating the lessons I have taught them,” Moffett said. “Seeing them ‘carry the torch forward’ gives me hope for the next generation of Airmen and Guardians that they will eventually lead.”

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are at the forefront of innovation as they solve real-world problems at the Laser and Optics Research Center. If successful, their research projects could transform current Department of Defense quantum computing methods and nuclear forensics methodologies.

Cadets 3rd Class Delaney Finley and Annabelle Towles’ research uses specific laser frequencies to cool and trap silicon atoms. Their project may allow them to assemble a smaller and more powerful quantum computer.

“A quantum computer is orders of magnitude faster than a supercomputer,” said Finley, a physics and applied mathematics major. “Machine learning would be much faster and the artificial intelligence system is more sophisticated within a quantum computer. Faster and smarter AI means we can solve bigger problems.”

Cadets pioneer quantum computing and xenon detection technologies

Cadets have worked with faculty in the LORC since its founding as one of the Academy’s three original cadet research centers in 1996. Cadet and faculty researchers conduct experiments in atomic physics, atmospheric optics, high-power lasers, nonlinear optics, optical communications and quantum optics. Professor Randall Knize has been the center’s director since the beginning.

“The Laser and Optics Research Center supports research for 15 cadets and six to eight faculty members a year,” said Professor Randall Knize, center director. “The Laser and Optics Research Center advances fundamental research and develops national security practical applications.”

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class August Antaki works on his Department of Physics and Meteorology team’s project to slow and capture xenon atoms for nuclear forensics in the U.S. Air Force Academy Laser and Optics Research Center, Jan. 22, 2025. Cadets apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems that involve atomic physics, laser systems, optical sensors and photonic technologies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

The detection of xenon for nuclear forensics

Cadets work on major projects such as atomic and nuclear physics, diode-pumped alkali lasers and the detection of xenon for nuclear forensics. Cadet 2nd Class August Antaki, a physics and astronautics major, works on a capstone research team to slow and capture xenon atoms. Xenon is a noble gas and a nuclear fission reaction byproduct. Detecting its radioactive isotopes is essential for identifying and analyzing nuclear events. Their research focuses on developing advanced laser-based techniques to detect xenon with high precision and efficiency.

“The bulk of our capstone research is the application of what we’ve learned in the classroom to real-life problems,” Antaki said. “We work through issues that come up in the lab that we don’t see in our courses. We rely on our problem-solving skills to figure out why something isn’t working the way it should.”

The physics capstone research project teams will present their findings to their classmates and to the Colorado Springs scientific community later this semester. Their work enhances understanding of atomic and nuclear physics and contributes to national security by advancing nuclear forensics methodologies.

See photos of the Laser and Optics Research Laboratory.

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Two cadets made their mark on the conservation of Rocky Mountain forests in a Department of Economics and Geosciences sustainability class project. Cadet 1st Class Camryn Miller and Cadet 2nd Class Adam Rouse created a location-based survey instrument to map and help mitigate the spread of dwarf mistletoe at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Dwarf mistletoe is a parasite that targets coniferous trees such as the Douglas fir and ponderosa pine found throughout the 18,500-acre installation. The parasitic plant embeds itself into a tree’s branches and siphons water and nutrients to weaken the tree and stunt its growth. The parasite accelerates ecosystem decline and creates fire hazards. The initiative is aligned with the Academy’s commitment to integrate cutting-edge research with problem-solving in cadet training.

“The value of contributing to environmental sustainability and supporting a healthier forest ecosystem is immense,” said Rouse, a Meteorology major. “As future leaders of character, engaging in projects focused on environmental preservation fosters opportunities for critical thinking, time management and the development of interpersonal skills. This experience allows me and other cadets to collaborate with diverse teams. We address complex challenges such as forest management, fire mitigation and monitoring.”

Mitigation project provides an avenue for reporting infestation

Part of the mitigation project involved developing a preliminary quiz. Users learn how to identify the types of trees the parasitic plant grows on and general dwarf mistletoe information. Once users complete the quiz, they can access the location-based survey in an application. Here, they are prompted for the location of the infected tree, its species identification, an infestation assessment and upload photos.

“The project could eventually mitigate fire dangers on the installation and target other areas of infestation,” Miller, a Geospatial Science major, said. “Tracking and identifying the locations of this invasive species provides in-situation data that can be used to determine whether remote sensing could be employed to locate other infestations. I feel proud to know that this work could contribute to protecting natural resources on base for years to come.”

Cadet 1st Class Camryn Miller and Cadet 2nd Class Adam Rouse pose with Department of Economics and Geosciences Professor Dr. Amélie Davis in the forest on the southern side of the U.S. Air Force Academy Jan. 16, 2025. The cadets created a Geospatial Science plan to map the dwarf mistletoe parasite that infects trees on the installation during Davis’s sustainability course during the 2023-24 academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

USAFA Green members comb the installation for the parasite

This year, Cadet 1st Class Rys Halverson lead USAFA Green club members in implementing cadet Miller and Rouse’s plan. The cadet club fosters a more sustainable environment and inspires green-minded leaders for the future of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Halverson organized two outings where approximately 15 club members systematically combed parts of the installation for the parasite and recorded each instance they encountered using the survey Miller and Rouse developed.

“This experience is a great example of the collaboration between mission elements and different majors. It certainly exemplifies the core value of service before self,” said Department of Economics and Geosciences Assistant Professor Dr. Amélie Davis.

Practicing decision-making, project management and teamwork

The cadets’ dwarf mistletoe mapping presents a real-world application of their critical thinking skills. To end up with a product (here, the location-based survey) that the client (in this instance, the base forester) found useful required critical decision-making, project management and teamwork. It also offers an outlet for cadets to practice geospatial skills in the field, said Capt. Jared Dumale, a Department of Geospatial Science instructor and active-duty intelligence officer.

“Not every cadet is destined to become a geoscientist, but every cadet is expected to be a warfighter,” Dumale said. “While the cadets may not be looking for dwarf mistletoe for the sake of national defense, they are capturing the characteristics of the problem set. The spatial association of these characteristics is part of a larger process that includes the gathering of information and communicating it to a decision-maker or strategic leader. These skills are critical to providing military leadership with a wider scope for their decision calculus.”

Cadet 1st Class Camryn Miller and Cadet 2nd Class Adam Rouse observe dwarf mistletoe in the forest on the southern side of the U.S. Air Force Academy Jan. 16, 2025. The cadets created a plan to map the parasite that infects trees on the installation during a Department of Economics and Geosciences sustainability course during the 2023-24 academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

Where does the dwarf mistletoe management program go from here?

Miller and Rouse plan on serving as weather officers after graduation. Both cadets will take the lessons learned from this project into their Air Force careers. They expect the experience to prove useful for data collection and problem-solving.

“I see a direct connection between this project and my future role as a weather and environmental sciences officer,” Miller said. “Understanding how parasitic species like dwarf mistletoe degrade trees and increase their susceptibility to fires will help me devise strategies to protect and mitigate damage to natural resources. Looking ahead, I would like to see the mapping program expand to include the collection of additional data. This information could enable further analysis to assess the feasibility of using drone imagery to detect dwarf mistletoe.”

See more photos of cadets mapping dwarf mistletoe at the Academy.

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea’s fascination with the Arctic began long before she arrived at the U.S. Air Force Academy in the fall of 2022. Once Shea started her Meteorology core courses, she seized the opportunity to transform her interest in Earth’s northernmost region into a research project focused on using machine learning to forecast sea ice in the Arctic.

The strategic implications of sea ice research

According to the 2020 Department of the Air Force Arctic Strategy, the capability of accurate sea ice predictions in the Arctic could aid in ensuring a stable Arctic. Along with Meteorology faculty, Shea developed a model that applies machine learning to ice forecasting.

“The application of machine learning to sea ice prediction provides an alternative approach to a better understanding of annual sea ice variability,” Shea said. “I believe accomplishing this could reshape how machine learning is perceived and applied in the meteorology community.”

Machine learning is a computational subfield of artificial intelligence that enables a computer to learn to perform tasks by analyzing a large dataset without being explicitly programmed.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Nathaniel George points U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea’s attention to data in the machine-learning models in her sea ice forecasting research in the Meteorology Laboratory Nov. 12, 2024. Shea Meteorology faculty developed a machine-learning model that could aid in accurate ice forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

Collaboration with department leadership

In September 2023, Shea wanted a research project that would allow her to develop her skills in machine learning through Python, a general-purpose programming language. After discussing her ideas with department leadership, Shea suggested the sea ice forecasting project to the Physics and Meteorology Department Head, Col. Rose Tseng. Tseng also inspired Shea to dive deeper into the region’s strategic significance.

The Department of Physics and Meteorology Superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Nathaniel George explained that the faculty’s primary role was to provide mentorship, resources, and guidance to support Shea throughout her research journey.

“From the beginning, Cadet Shea displayed a natural curiosity and excitement to explore the Arctic and forecasting challenges in the critically important region,” George said. “Seeing her take on such a challenging task, especially after completing just her first year at the Academy, is truly inspiring. Her curiosity and passion for learning show that she is ready to gain skills that will better prepare her for her Air Force officer career and help contribute to solving real-world problems.”

Shea hopes her dual majors in Meteorology and Applied Mathematics will help her graduate school application. She aims to continue her education in atmospheric electricity and enter the U.S. Air Force Weather and Environmental Science Officer career field after she graduates in 2026.

A data-driven approach: evaluating projections against reality

Shea conducted statistical analysis to identify the factors influencing sea ice concentration in the Arctic. She used various parameters such as 2-meter temperature, sea surface temperature, and pressure to train a deep learning model that determines sea ice extent forecasts. Her model determined sea ice for TIME using a sea ice data set from 2001-2016. Shea used 15 years of model data to train her deep learning models to generate a forecast, which she then compared with actual sea ice data.

During the fall semester of 2023, Shea developed a feed-forward neural network model. The following semester, she dove into convolutional neural network models, results of which she then compared to the feed-forward neural network model predictions. In January, she presented a poster on her research at the 104th-annual American Meteorological Society Student Conference in Baltimore MD.

Cadet Summer Research Program opportunities

Apart from her sea ice prediction project, Shea worked with Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories on simultaneous lightning observation with geospatial orbit and ground-based sensors as part of her participation in the Cadet Summer Research Program. This coming summer, Shea will spend three weeks studying artificial intelligence and machine learning at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Beatrice Shea works on machine-learning models in her sea ice forecasting research in the Meteorology Laboratory Nov. 12, 2024. Shea and the Department of Physics and Meteorology developed a machine-learning model that could aid in accurate sea ice forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

Shea hopes to return to the research during her last year as a cadet in the 2025-26 academic year to further improve her model. Her goal is to expand the research scope to the entire Arctic region.

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – From 11,000 feet, the two Wings of Blue all-female competitive skydiving teams enjoy a breathtaking view of the U.S. Air Force Academy below them. While three of the six team members are aspiring pilots, each parachuting cadet will be able to rely on the skills they have developed as skydivers in their future careers as officers. They know the importance of always preparing before any mission and planning as a team.

“We plan every part of the skydive first on the ground,” said Cadet 1st Class Allison Henderson, a Geospatial Science major. She is a member of the four-way formation team named Air Force Halo alongside Cadets 1st Class Julia Ahrendt, Abby Halasi-Kun and Riley McGarry. “The more we plan our jumps on the ground, the more prepared we are in the sky.”

For the first time, the Academy has two all-female skydiving teams in its highly successful competitive skydiving program. Cadets 1st Class Kate Cardinal and Katy Felix formed the two-way mixed formation team Air Force K2.

Continuing the program’s winning legacy

The Wings of Blue has a long history of success having competed in local, national and international competitions since 1962. Team members won 29 gold medals at the USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships in 2023.

The Wings of Blue is the winningest collegiate parachute team in history and both Halo and K2 contributed to this legacy when they won bronze medals in their competitions at the United States Parachute Association at Skydive Chicago in September. K2 also qualified in the speed competition for the world championships next summer.

Air Force Halo skydiving team members Cadets 1st Class Abby Halasi-Kun and Allison Henderson pack parachutes together after training at Davis Airfield Sept. 28, 2024. Halo is one of two all-female skydiving teams in the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachuting program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

Developing essential qualities for future officers

Parachuting team members develop confidence, leadership and mental toughness as they master skydiving. Cadets learn fundamental freefall skills during the Airmanship 490 basic parachuting course. They complete ground training and five freefall jumps from UV-18B Twin Otter aircraft. Each August, interested rising third-class cadets are invited to try out for Wings of Blue and complete their control freefall parachuting, formation flying and canopy control training. As members of Wings of Blue, they go on to complete hundreds of jumps a year. They later serve as AM-490 instructors and mentors for younger cadets who are learning to skydive.

Air Force K2 skydiving team members Cadets 1st Class Kate Cardinal and Katy Felix jump from a UV-18B Twin Otter during the U.S. Parachuting Association National Championships at Skydive Chicago in September. The two-way mixed formation team is one of two all-female squads in the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachuting program. (Courtesy photo provided by Cadet 1st Class Kate Cardinal)

The establishment of the first all-female skydiving teams

The 98th Flying Training Squadron did not deliberately set out to create the Academy’s first all-female skydiving teams. Commander Lt. Col. Jonathan Vaage said both teams formed because of the team members’ skillsets and interests in working together in the two- and four-person formations. In the summer of 2022, the two K2 team members expressed interest in competing in a mixed formation together. In November 2023, McGarry, a Biology major, joined the already-formed Air Force Halo team after the fourth member left the team.

“The importance of having all-female competitive skydiving teams at the Academy is a difficult thing to measure, but it shows that anything is possible in aviation,” Vaage said. “If you pursue your goals and set your mind to them, nothing can hold you back. The wonderful thing about skydiving as a sport is there is no intrinsic advantage to being male or female.”

Air Force Halo skydiving team members Cadets 1st Class Abby Halasi-Kun and Allison Henderson during training at Davis Airfield Sept. 28, 2024. Halo is one of two all-female skydiving teams in the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachuting program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

An opportunity to develop and hone leadership skills

Wings of Blue’s primary mission is to operate Airmanship 490, the Academy’s Basic Freefall Parachuting Course. Cadets who excel serve the program as jumpmasters and instructors, developing leaders of character through a unique training experience.

“I have learned and developed so much as a leader,” said Halasi-Kun, a Physics major. “We get cadets who are just like we were — very scared to make that first jump. I always tell them it’s normal if they are afraid right now. I love getting to see them land after the first jump, watching them grow in their confidence and realizing they can do things when they’re scared. Seeing the impact I can have in a leadership role and giving someone a once-in-a-lifetime experience is one of the coolest experiences I have had at the Academy.”

Air Force Halo skydiving team member Cadet 1st Class Riley McGarry is pictured with her parachute after completing a jump at Davis Airfield Sept. 28, 2024. Halo is one of two all-female skydiving teams in the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachuting program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Skydiving ambassadors for the next generation

The team members also interact with prospective cadets and young girls during their appearances at competitions worldwide. During the national competition in Chicago, as the team walked into the arena with their parachutes, a father ran up to them with his young daughter. He told the team she wants to be a skydiver when she grows up and thanked them for, not only inspiring her but being positive role models.

“I think we forget sometimes what an amazing, rare opportunity we have,” McGarry said. “There aren’t a ton of women in skydiving. It is awesome to see women performing on a national level and to see all our hard work starting to pay off.”

See more photos of the all-female skydiving teams at Flickr.

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets can pursue their passions through numerous clubs representing multiple interests. One example of club life at the Academy is the Physics and Astronomy Club. Throughout the year, the club’s 60-plus members can participate in events, such as star gazing, experiments and field trips.

Recently, almost 20 club cadets traveled to Hamilton, Texas, and McLeansboro, Illinois, to view the April 8 total solar eclipse. The two cadet groups were among 40 teams supporting NASA’s research that studied the sun’s corona to learn about the outer layers only visible during a total eclipse. They conducted research to support NASA’s Citizen Continental America Telescopic Eclipse next-generation equipment and the Eclipse Mega Movie Project.

Physics and Astronomy Club cadets in charge, Cadet 2nd Class Ty Stromberg and Cadet 3rd Class Ryan Kovacs, said their team collected data using digital, event-based and polarization cameras, along with solar telescopes with special filters. Their research will help study solar activity and the impact it has on technology, including satellites and GPS communications.

Cadet 1st Class Brandon Lindner’s time-lapse photography captures the phases of the total solar eclipse in Texas April 8, 2024. U.S. Air Force Academy Physics and Astronomy Club members traveled to Hamilton, Texas, and McLeansboro, Illinois, to view the eclipse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cadet 1st Class Brandon Lindner)

Cadet clubs offer an opportunity to pursue passions outside the classroom

The Physics and Astronomy Club allows cadets to pursue additional learning of both subjects while they pursue their majors. Kovacs and Stromberg are Physics majors who joined the club because they say they “love looking at the nighttime sky.” Club membership has jumped 200 percent from the first couple of years after the COVID-19 pandemic when it dropped to below 20 members, Stromberg said.

Lt Col David Meier gave a seminar on his pilot and physics career at an evening with Society of Physics students. (Courtesy photo)

Like many clubs at the Academy, the Physics and Astronomy Club offers opportunities to pursue interests that cadets are passionate about, Kovacs said. They can expand on what they learn in the classroom and put it into action.

“First of all, it’s a great way to lead,” Kovacs said. “This is my first leadership position, and I learned a lot of skills that I am going to apply when I become an officer. What’s great about it is I’m doing it with physics and science, which is what I love. It helps build the motivation, passion and drive to succeed in and outside the classroom.”

Additionally, club members with grade point averages of 3.4 and higher can be inducted into the National Society of Physics Students.

C3C Skylar Henry demonstrates principles of angular momentum during a Physics is Phun event. (Courtesy photo)

“Physics is Phun” focuses on education efforts for the public and young students

“Physics is Phun” is the club’s outreach and education effort for the public and younger students. Cadets visit elementary schools and teach children the concepts of electricity, magnetism and momentum through interactive demonstrations. They also reinforce physics, astronomy and safety concepts, such as not looking directly into the sun, particularly during a total solar eclipse.

C3C Julie Simms and C3C Skylar Henry demonstrates principles of electricity during a Physics is Phun event. (Courtesy photo)

“We will set up several demonstrations to give the students new experiences that they will find interesting,” Stromberg said. “As we go along with the demonstrations, we explain everything that happens. Then the kids get to try it themselves. We try to get them to jump-start their interest in physics.”

Pictured is the full total solar eclipse in Texas April 8, 2024. U.S. Air Force Academy Physics and Astronomy Club members traveled to Hamilton, Texas, and McLeansboro, Illinois, to view the eclipse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cadet 1st Class Brandon Lindner)

Through their work with the U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium, club members lead weekend public shows, movie nights for other clubs and other events.

“Most of us are involved with the club because we love looking at the night sky,” Stromberg said. “With our star parties, we provide telescopes and invite people to come look at the stars.”

The full total solar eclipse is shown in Texas April 8, 2024. U.S. Air Force Academy Physics and Astronomy Club members traveled to Hamilton, Texas, and McLeansboro, Illinois, to view the eclipse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cadet 1st Class Brandon Lindner)

Physics and astronomy careers in the Air Force and Space Force

Physics majors prepare themselves for a variety of possible careers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, Stromberg said. The club gives an outlet outside the classroom to facilitate more activities and learning in preparation for their job after graduation.

“A Physics major prepares you for pretty much every job in the Air Force or Space Force,” Stromberg said. “You can’t limit yourself with what you learn in physics… With physics you learn the foundations of practically everything you’re interested in. An education in physics can set you up for doing just about any job after you leave the Academy.”

U.S. Air Force Academy Physics and Astronomy Club members prepare to view the total solar eclipse in Texas April 8, 2024. Club members traveled to Hamilton, Texas, and McLeansboro, Illinois, to view the eclipse. (Courtesy photo provided by Lt. Col. Benjamin Roth)

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Miss America returned to her alma mater, the U.S. Air Force Academy, with 27 fellow state delegates Feb. 23.

2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, Class of 2023, became the first active-duty U.S. Air Force officer to win the Miss America Pageant a month earlier. She credits the Academy with her success in the competition and preparing her for her Air Force career.

“Not only did the Academy prepare me for success in all avenues of life, but it gave me friends who turned into family,” Marsh said. “I would not have accomplished anything without the support structure that I found at the Academy.”

The tour began with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark’s mission briefing. Clark explained his priorities of developing leaders of character, preparing for future conflict and dignity and respect for all. He also stressed that the Academy is the institution for the nation’s best and brightest students to challenge themselves.

Miss Delaware Emily Beale checks out the TG-16A Glider during the Miss America Delegation’s tour of Davis Airfield Feb. 23, 2024. Beale joined Miss America 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh for a tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Adalyn Greene)

Tour highlights

Delegates flew flight simulators in the Multi-Domain Laboratory, packed parachutes and sat in gliders during a tour of the 306th Flying Training Group at Davis Airfield and visited athletic facilities. Tour highlights also included stops in departments that were formative in Marsh’s cadet education. One early stop was the McDermott Library’s Academic Success Center. Dr. Daniel Johnson’s public speaking laboratory staff was pivotal in helping Marsh improve her public speaking skills. Marsh, a Physics major, and the delegates also visited the Department of Physics and Meteorology. She credits her academic advisor Monte Anderson for helping to keep her in school during a time when she battled homesickness. They also worked together on Marsh’s capstone physics research in pancreatic cancer detection research with machine learning through Harvard Medical School.

“The Academic Success Center and public speaking lab poured into my success in the classroom but also prepared me for my success outside the Academy,” Marsh said. “With my scholarship interviews, I spent plenty of time at the lab running through every tough question that could be thrown my way. They truly went above and beyond to help prepare me.”

Tour conclusion

The tour concluded with Clark and wife Amy’s reception at The Carlton House, a historic Spanish Colonial Revival in the Pine Valley housing area. Delegates interacted with The Bird, the Academy’s costumed mascot, as well as cadet falconers with their birds.

2024 Miss Colorado Sarah Swift tests virtual-reality goggles in the Multi-Domain Laboratory during the Miss America Delegation’s tour of Davis Airfield Feb. 23, 2024. Delegates from the Miss America Organization enjoyed an immersive visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy (U.S. Air Force Photo by Dylan Smith)

The tour was part of Miss America 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh homecoming visit. Marsh, Class of 2023, became the first active-duty U.S. Air Force officer to win the Miss America Pageant. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Dylan Smith)

Taking their Academy experience back home

The Miss America Organization visit gave the delegates a complete day of exposure to the Academy, said Mike Peterson, Strategic Communications outreach division director. The tour enables the delegates to promote the Academy throughout their home states, Peterson said. “We’re hoping that one of the things that the delegates will talk about is how they participated in Miss America’s homecoming at the  U.S. Air Force Academy,” Peterson said. “They are going to represent their states for the rest of their lives. We hope they will continue to spread the word about the Academy and their positive experience here.”

Marsh said the delegates enjoyed the tour tremendously and was happy to share the opportunity with them.

“My Miss America class was floored by the entire experience,” Marsh said. “They truly got the whole cadet experience; dorm tours, flight simulators, hopping in planes, eating with cadets and more. I really couldn’t have thought of a better day to show them my home.”

A 306th Flying Training Group officer explains parachute packing procedures to Miss America state delegates during their tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy Feb. 23, 2024. The tour was part of Miss America 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh’s homecoming visit. Marsh, Class of 2023, became the first active-duty U.S. Air Force officer to win the Miss America Pageant. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Dylan Smith)

For more photos of the Miss America delegation’s visit, see Flickr.

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – In the Department of Physics and Meteorology cadets keep watch over space through the 1-meter telescope in the U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory control room.

Through the 1-meter telescope, cadets track hazardous near-Earth asteroids and other space objects, view supernovas, study exoplanets and conduct valuable research.

“It’s hard to visualize the concepts when it’s just a bunch of words and equations, but when you’re actually looking at the stars, you’re understanding what it means for something to be this bright,” Firooz said. “You’re seeing that visually, rather than just working out conceptual problems.”

Supernova tracking

Recently, Physics and Meteorology cadets and faculty have been tracking the decade’s brightest supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy. A supernova occurs when a giant red star collapses. The Pinwheel Galaxy is a spiral-shaped galaxy about 21 million light-years from Earth, according to NASA.

“We also have some exciting things going on right now in the space situational awareness realm,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Roth, director of astronomical research and the observatory. “We have quite a bit of historical data, and we are looking at geostationary satellites, the spectral and polarization data and fingerprinting those satellites. As far as we know, we are the only institution doing this.”

State of the art research telescopes

The cadets work on 1-meter and half-meter telescopes in the Academy Observatory. The state-of-the-art 1-meter telescope was installed in 2019 and replaced a telescope built five years before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969. It is the largest academic research telescope in Colorado.

Cadets direct the telescopes in the control room, using an astronomical camera that is attached to the telescopes, said Roth. A charge-coupled device collects the photons and converts them into electrons to create the signal that the cadets record.

The department has three space-related research centers: the Center for Space Situational Awareness Research, also called CSSAR, the Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center or SPARC, and the Astronomical Research Group and Observatory or ARGO. ARGO houses both telescopes at the Academy Observatory in collaboration with the worldwide Falcon Telescope Network.

Cadets can begin work in the observatory as early as their freshman year though they usually begin independent research as sophomores. Physics majors typically work on independent research as juniors or in the fall of their senior year.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory, pictured here Jan. 19, 2024, is the hub for the Falcon Telescope Network, a worldwide network of 50-cm Ritchey-Chrétien reflectors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Physics and space opportunities

The space observation mission, along with other opportunities the major offers, helped cadets like Firooz select the Academy for their collegiate education.

“This opportunity was part of the reason I chose to come here,” Firooz said. “I was very interested in physics in high school, but I didn’t really know how to get ahead on that. I knew about research and making discoveries of something that I was interested in. So I wanted to pick a school that had a lot of undergrad research opportunities and resources to put toward that. The Academy gave me that opportunity.”

Firooz will spend part of her summer at the Maui Space Force Station, formerly known as the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing site, conducting research under the guidance of the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron.

Cadet 3rd Class Bethany Firooz, left, and Cadet 2nd Class Brianna McVay control Department of Physics and Meteorology telescopes in the U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory Jan. 19, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

The post Cadets survey stars in nighttime sky appeared first on United States Air Force Academy.

by Nicole Cox, USAFA Graduate Liaison

Cadet Zachary Eyler, Class of 2021, and his research advisor Dr. Matthew McHarg are working on a photometer, a device that measures the amount of incoming light, designed to take measurements of the Aurora. The goal of the project is to learn more about the mechanisms responsible for high frequency flickering in the Aurora’s intensity. Cadet Eyler’s efforts to program the photometer have led to an ability to get real-time read outs of auroral conditions. His program quickly analyzes the incoming data, writes it to a file and sends instruction back to the photometer. The readouts from this photometer provide direct input into the NASA sounding rocket program. With the right conditions detected through Cadet Eyler’s stellar programming, NASA teams are able to send up sounding rockets to study the aurora.

Cadet Eyler and Dr. McHarg plan to publish their work on the photometer to share their goals with the rest of the scientific community. This fall they will run additional tests to include a photometric calibration on stars with the help of the United States Air Force Academy Observatory. They hope to be back in Alaska during Winter Break to take more measurements.

Dr. McHarg is the director of the Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC), part of the Department of Physics. The SPARC provides cadets the chance to work on real space science projects ranging from ground-based observations to space-based projects. The center works with cadets to build science payloads which are flown on different DoD and NASA satellites; however, these projects can take years

To learn more about research at your Air Force Academy, contact the Research Office at DFRO_Office_of_Research@usafa.edu. You can also visit the Research Office webpage.

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Cadet Research Spotlight: The New and Improved Digital Holography Demonstration System

The Digital Holography Demonstration (DHD) project began in 2019 as a partnership between Air Force Research Labs (AFRL), the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the United States Air Force Academy Physics Department to build, test and improve a hands-on demonstration tool intended to show basic-to-advanced principals in optics, lasers, atmospheric physics and signal processing. The tool is designed to convey these complex topics in an interactive manner for both STEM outreach and for discussing these technologies with high-level leadership.  AFRL funded the project to help encourage more participation in STEM and optics and laser career fields. Over the last few years, the number of physics majors studying optics and lasers has been low. Fortunately, the USAFA Physics Department has recognized the importance of this field and plans to require all physics majors to take a lasers & optics course in the future.

Last year, 2Lt Connor Vikupitz (’20) and C1C Ryan Schneider (’21) helped build and test the original DHD system as part of a 499 independent research course. Lt Vikupitz demonstrated the system at the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (CSURF) 2019 and presented their results at the Education and Training in Optics & Photonics (ETOP) conference in 2019. C1C Schneider was set to present the updated project at CSURF 2020 this spring; however, the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. At CSURF 2020, the team hoped to demonstrate the new dynamic turbulence system prototype they developed to simulate real-world dynamic turbulence within the DHD. C1C Schneider is currently serving as a summer intern at Lockheed Martin where he is applying the ideas he learned in his USAFA DHD research.

Lt Vikupitz is currently on casual status at Nellis Air Force Base awaiting pilot training. Lt Vikupitz and C1C Schneider were supported by Maj Casey Pellizzari, a 62E Electrical Engineer with a background in Electro Optics.

To learn more about research at your Air Force Academy, contact the Research Office at DFRO_Office_of_Research@usafa.edu. You can also visit the  Research Office webpage: click here.

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(Courtesy photo/Devin Della-Rose)

By Janine Dreger, Oct. 16, 2019

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Scientists at the Air Force Academy said a $1.25 million project to install a telescope in the school’s observatory should be complete by springtime.

Contractors from the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron, and technicians from the Austrian telescope manufacturer completed the first stage of the project this month when they installed the housing for the 5,000-pound Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope.

Associate physics professor and Observatory Director Devin Della-Rose said when complete, the telescope system will support cadet and faculty research projects and connect to the Falcon Telescope Network across the world.

“We’ll use the telescope to study man-made, Earth-orbiting objects and deep-space natural phenomena such as planets orbiting other stars,” he said.

The telescope should be fully functional by springtime and the images it captures can be shared with the general public at the Academy’s Planetarium.

“Featuring a 1-meter primary mirror, the telescope is the largest in Colorado that will be available to the public,” Della-Rose said.

Before then, a camera with a 111-million pixel rate will be installed in the telescope. Each image it captures will contain almost a quarter-of-a-gigabyte of data and be stored on Cloud services. The Academy also plans to buy a high-resolution spectrograph by 2021.

“The last phase [of the installation] will be the automation of the Observatory’s dome,” Della- Rose said. “It needs to be adjusted to move with the new telescope.”

The telescope will be the 12th in the Falcon Telescope Network, which has telescopes installed across the states and in several countries.

“We can remotely operate these telescopes in real time from anywhere,” said Academy Physics Professor Francis Chun. “We try to automate the systems so that the telescopes collect data and download the information to a central server so cadets can pull the data.”

[Editor’s note: The project was funded by several organizations including the Academy Endowment, the school’s Research Office, the Academy’s Gift Funds office, and the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron.] 

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(U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

Story by Ray Bowden, March 21, 2019

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — General Norman Schwarzkopf once said, “The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”

Cadets at the Air Force Academy took the former Gulf War leader at his word when they helped the Air Force and one of the Academy’s research partners, a public firm specializing in biology and applied physics, test a prototype of a human-behavior sensor designed to check their perspiration, March 12.

The sensors, designed by GE Global Research, one of many Defense Department research partners, were attached to the cadets’ backs on a belt above their waist.

“That part of the back is one of the sweatiest areas. It’s like a pool back there,” said” Lt. Col. Chad Tossell, director of the Academy’s warfighting effectiveness research center in the school’s behavioral sciences department. Tossell watched the eight cadets sweep through the Military Operations-Urban Training village in Jacks Valley while carrying 45-pound backpacks and training rifles.

The day-long testing activities also took the cadets, all members of the Academy’s combat shooting team, through a series of warm-up exercises, two 1.5 mile ruck marches, and various briefings.

“These sensors are designed to passively and noninvasively assess properties and function of human sweat in real-time,” Dr. Adam Strang, director of the signature tracking for optimized nutrition and training laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. “We use this information to index the physiological process, such as hydration and stress levels, known to critically impact human performance.”

The data from the test will develop what Strang calls personalized augmentation strategies, “such as a sports drink with an electrolyte and sugar composition, designed specifically for ‘you’ to maintain, optimize and enhance Airman performance in training and mission settings.”

“This is about cadets and capability,” he said.

When cadets perspire, the sensor records potassium and sodium levels in their perspiration and sends the data to a cellphone app or computer, said Cadet 1st Class Dave Culver, one of four systems engineering students who organized the logistics for the day’s activities.

“Each cadet testing a sensor today has the app with them,” he said.

Tossell said the Academy is known across the DoD and in the research and development realm as an optimal setting site to try-out burgeoning technology.

“It’s attractive because we have a controlled environment and we’re doing real-world testing,” he said. “The tests are sponsored by the AFRL at Wright-Patterson.”

Cadet 3rd Class Isaac Perkins participated in the March 12 test.

“Testing new technology is an excellent opportunity for cadets to get involved and exposed to real technologies the Air Force is using,” he said. “If there’s one way to get cadets excited, it’s giving them exposure to the special operations community.”

The sensor patch’s first generation was lab-tested with simulated sweat by GE Global Research. Additional physiological performance testing occurred at the signature tracking for optimized nutrition and training laboratory under Strang, according to a 2018 news report from Wright Patterson.

“These tests allow me to develop and validate next-generation sensor technology with a representative population — cadets training to enter special operations career fields,” Strang said.

Strang said the Academy is a boon to the AFRL and the DoD due to its opportune testing environment.

“I can evaluate the state of these sensors, identify tech gaps and decide how the AFRL needs to meet those gaps, either through internal research and development or funding commercial performers to reach our goal: a robust set of sensors to assess performance states,” he said.

Perkins appreciates the influence research at the Academy has for the DoD on a global scale.

“It was super encouraging to see the amount of research and focus that’s going into human performance technology here,” he said. “It would be great to know that our participation contributed to technology my teammates and I may have to use one day.”

Due to weather conditions March 14, testing of a similar product designed by Northwestern University researchers was cancelled.

“It has been rescheduled for Tech Warrior at the AFRL,” Tossell said. “We’ll bring in next year’s capstone cadets.”

Tech Warrior is an annual AFRL exercise taking place in the fall. The event is designed to provide scientists and engineers the opportunity to participate in an intense battlefield immersion training exercise with Airmen they create new technologies for.

Two cadets wear a prototype of a human-behavior sensor designed to check their perspiration, March 12, 2019 in Jacks Valley. The device is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the signature tracking for optimized nutrition and training laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and GE Global Research. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

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By Mark Kuykendall / Oct. 12, 2017

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLO – The United States Air Force Academy is developing leaders who will operate at the cutting edge of warfare technology, and who are prepared for a modern battlefield where space is a critical warfighting domain. Here are five numbers that show how the Academy is leading the way in space, and into an increasingly complex future of innovation and discovery:

2: Number of Academy cadets named Rhodes Scholars after completing the FalconSAT senior capstone engineering program. “The FalconSAT experience is invaluable to the development of future Air Force leaders,” said Col Martin France, professor and head of the Department of Astronautics. “USAFA is the only undergrad institution in the world where students help design, build, test, launch, and operate uniquely designed small satellites.” At increasingly complex levels since the early 1980s, FalconSAT has given hundreds of cadets hands-on space experience, operating real satellites accomplishing real DoD missions.

8 hours and 56 minutes: Length of the world record spacewalk by Lt Gen (retired) Susan Helms, class of 1980. On the first of her five space flights, a 1993 mission on the space shuttle Endeavour, Helms became the first military woman to launch into space, and would log 211 days in space over the course of a 12-year NASA career. “I was surprised to see the Earth was white and blue, not green and blue like in the movies. It’s absolutely stunning,” said Helms in a visit with United States Air Force Academy Prep School students earlier this year.

40: Total number of Academy graduates who have traveled in space. The first Academy graduate to travel in space was Col (retired) Karol Bobko, class of 1959, who logged 386 hours in space over the course of three missions. On his third and final mission, Bobko became the first astronaut to fly on three different shuttle orbiters, and the only astronaut to fly on the maiden voyages of two different orbiters. Lt Col Raja Chari, class of 1999, has been selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class, and is the most recent Academy graduate selected. “I grew up with the mentality that education is a gift, not to be taken for granted,” said Chari, who got the call that he’d achieved his dream while briefing a flight test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where he commanded the 461st Flight Test Squadron.

Meet our astronauts.

135: Days that Col Jack Fischer, class of 1996, spent in orbit aboard the International Space Station. He returned to Earth on September 3, 2017, after completing a mission that included two spacewalks totaling 6 hours and 54 minutes. Fischer said his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut led him to the Academy. “It started with a trip to see my grandpa at Johnson Space Center when I was six, but it has been cultivated by years of tireless family support, mentorship and friends who helped me along the way,” he said. “I’ve done my best along the way to always take advantage of the opportunities I was given, to put the team first, and to do my absolute best at whatever my job was — whether digging a ditch, or flying an F-22.”

231: Number of summer research opportunities participated in by cadets in 2017 as part of the Cadet Summer Research Program. Each summer cadets from a wide variety of majors participate in space-related internships, including work at SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Northrop-Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, MIT, Air Force Research Labs, and various operational Air Force Space Command organizations.

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National Institute of Aerospace officials invited cadets to compete in the next round of the RASC-AL Space Habitat Competition’s in March.

If the team makes it through the next cut, they’ll compete in the competition’s final round, May 31-June 2 in Florida.

The cadets are designing a space habitat module to use in low-Earth orbit after the International Space Station is no longer available.

To complete in round 1, cadet researchers submitted the required 5-page abstract and two-minute video.

Teams making it through the first round submit a mid-project review in March containing more design details and development analysis.

Further thinning of the field will occur at the forum in Florida, when the teams turn in a 15-page technical report and give a presentation.

Eleven cadets led by Cadet 2nd Class Jacob Lutz embarked on this extreme makeover after a lesson left Lutz wanting to do more with space.

“I was working on a rocketry project and I wanted to find a project that would expand my horizons,” he said. “Doing the model rocketry was fun, but we were basically repeating experiments that were done since the 1950s’. I wanted to find a competition that I could do something new and inventive.”

Lutz’s search turned up a collegiate competition run by the National Institute of Aerospace in conjunction with NASA, seeking innovative designs for systems and subsystems to support NASA’s goal of extending humanity’s reach into space.

The Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage has several projects for graduate and undergraduate teams to tackle. Among these is the need for a habitat module that must be usable on Mars.

Lutz began the project by gathering a few fellow cadets majoring in the hard sciences. As different skill sets were needed, the team expanded its recruiting and grew to 11 in size: Cadets 2nd Class Connor Reilly, Daniel Arndt,  Colin Zavislak, Rachel Golding and Lutz; Cadets 3rd Class Alex Danchi, Jeremy Schwartz, Wesley Jackson, Christopher Clark, and Phyleoh Castaneda; and Cadet 4th Class Eric Hembling.

Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy submitted their research Jan. 24 for the Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage — or RASC-AL — a National Institute of Aerospace competition supporting NASA’s goal of expanding humanity’s reach into space

Lutz’s team started work late last fall, and continued their work over the holiday break. The project also ate into weekends and after-class this semester.

Among the talent brought in was Cadet 4th Class Eric Hembling of Cadet Squadron 26. He and Lutz had talked about their passion for the aerospace industry, which led to his eventual involvement in the RASC-AL project.

“I was invited to a meeting, stayed around and worked my way into a role on to the project,” Hembling said. The freshman, now a double major in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics, researched the commercial applications potential and constructed a business model supported by these activities.

The faculty mentor for this project is professor Gary Payton of the Department of Astronautics, the Bernard Schriever Chair for Astronautics, who was named last week as one of the Academy’s Distinguished Graduates, and the only sitting faculty member to earn that distinction in the 21st Century.

“I am really impressed with the enthusiasm of the cadets,” he said. “They are delving into an agency they know very little about – NASA – and they’re delving into things we don’t cover in their normal astro-curriculum, such as micro gravity habitats and they have to learn about deep space radiation environment. They also have to learn about the effects of long term micro gravity on humans, and that’s stuff we don’t cover in the normal academic curriculum,” Payton said.

Payton is a former astronaut who has logged more than 73 hours in space.

“So, it’s additive to what they teach, and it’s also fun to watch them be so energized, all 11 of them,” he said.

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