Alumni News • United States Air Force Academy

September 29, 2025

POW Capt. Chuck Jackson laid to rest at Academy Cemetery

Capt. Charles A. "Chuck" Jackson's U.S. Air Force Academy graduation photo, Class of 1969. Jackson was laid to rest at the Academy cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 19, 2025. The date honored Jackson’s life and service and coincided with National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Photo courtesy of Marty Jackson) By Tech. Sgt. Sahara Fales U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Capt. Charles A. “Chuck” Jackson was laid to rest at the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 19, 2025. The date honored Jackson’s life and service and coincided with National...

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Chuck Jackson's U.S. Air Force Academy graduation photo. (Courtesy photo)

July 10, 2025

Cadet selected as Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar

Cadet 1st Class Mark Tang is the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 27th Truman Scholar. Tang plans to pursue a graduate degree in international security. U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Mark Tang, Class of 2026, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The senior was named among 54 scholars selected from 743 applicants nominated by 288 colleges, universities and military service academies. The foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or...

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December 11, 2023

Academy Cadet selected for post-graduate Marshall Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Owen Graham was selected for a Marshall Scholarship, a fully-funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadet 1st Class Owen Graham has just been selected as the Academy’s 24th Marshall Scholar, earning a fully-funded, two-year postgraduate education in the United Kingdom. Graham will graduate in May with a degree in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics and will commission as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Air Force. Following graduation, Graham hopes to attend the University of Cambridge...

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November 14, 2023

Academy cadet selected for postgraduate Rhodes Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre was selected for a Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre, Class of 2024, was selected for a highly competitive Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program enabling young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, according to the program’s website....

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Rhodes Scholar Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre

November 13, 2023

Academy grad making his name with Space Delta 9

U.S. Space Force Capt. Dillon Duarte, a U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2016 graduate, is now chief of the Space Delta 9 Commander’s Action Group at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- A year before then-Cadet 2nd Class Dillon Duarte graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2016, he learned his eyesight made his dream of flying impossible. But the path to a new passion began with inspiration from a Geospatial Science satellite imagery course during his junior...

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August 21, 2023

‘First Falcons’ continue connection with current cadets

Retired Lt. Col. Curtis Cook, a U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959 graduate, talks to Class of 2027 cadets on the Challenge Bridge at Doolittle Hall Aug. 1, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Each year, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s first graduates meet the newest class of cadets at the Challenge Bridge. The Academy’s “First Falcons,” as retired Col. Max Miller and retired Lt. Col. Don Brooks call themselves and their classmates, funded the bridge at Doolittle Hall on the Heritage Trail...

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August 16, 2023

Squadron 19 returns to the ‘Starship’

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Squadron 19, now Starship 19, members show the new squadron flag after the re-designation ceremony at Polaris Hall Aug. 12, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Squadron 19 returned to the “Starship” in a re-designation ceremony at Polaris Hall Aug. 12. For the second time in the squadron’s 63-year history, alumni and members call their squadron Starship 19. Before the 1975-76 Academy school year, squadron leaders obtained written permission from “Star Trek” creator Gene...

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June 22, 2023

Cadet team removes assault, harassment reporting barriers

Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, signs the Encouraged to Report policy memo April 10, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Victims of sexual assault at the U.S. Air Force Academy lived under the protection provided by the Safe to Report policy for five years. However, witnesses and victims of less severe crimes had no such protection until a group of legal studies cadets created the Encouraged to Report policy as their capstone project. While Safe to Report protects...

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June 8, 2023

Class of 2023 graduate ready to define his path in “family business”

Second Lt. Alfred K. Flowers III receives the oath of office from his grandfather, retired Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers, and his father, Brig. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers Jr. ,at his commissioning ceremony May 31, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Alfred K. Flowers III’s, who goes by Kendell, most prized graduation gift was a small, rectangular piece of wood resembling what might rest on any officer’s desk. He was gifted the name plate from his father, Brig. Gen. Alfred...

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Cadet Flowers receives shoulder boards at a commissioning ceremony.

June 1, 2023

Recent grad looks forward to role in hypersonic research

Second Lt. Nicholas Hawley works on the combustion shock tube, on which he completed much of his experimental hypersonic research. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. Early in 2nd Lt. Nicholas Hawley’s first year as a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, his academic advisor knew he was destined for greatness. What Col. Doug Wickert did not know was the role Hawley would play in the military’s transition to hypersonic aircraft and weapons soon after graduating in June. “There was a clear hint of greatness...

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2nd Lt. Nicholas X. Hawley works on the combustion shock tube, on which he completed much of his experimental research.

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