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Academy News Quick news from around the Academy

May 4, 2026

Academy Research Showcase highlights innovation

Attendees sit and observe presentations during the Academy Research Showcase at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 28, 2026. The event brought together military, industry and academic partners to engage with cadet research and explore solutions to real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt. Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy hosted the first Academy Research Showcase at the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, bringing together military, industry and academic partners to engage with the Academy’s undergraduate research enterprise. Connecting research to real-world missions...

Continue Reading Academy Research Showcase highlights innovation

Attendees sit and observe presentations during the Academy Research Showcase at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 28, 2026. The event brought together military, industry and academic partners to engage with cadet research and explore solutions to real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
April 29, 2026

Forging Warrior-Leaders: SECAF Underscores USAFA’s Vital Role in National Defense

Col. James Gresham, a U.S. Air Force Academy department head, left, discusses a research project with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink at the Aeronautics Laboratory, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 13, 2026. The tour highlighted how the Academy’s cutting-edge undergraduate research contributes to the Department of the Air Force’s modernization priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt Colin Hollowell U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visited the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 13-14, to observe firsthand how the institution is developing...

Continue Reading Forging Warrior-Leaders: SECAF Underscores USAFA’s Vital Role in National Defense

Col. James Gresham, a U.S. Air Force Academy department head, left, discusses a research project with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink at the Aeronautics Laboratory, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 13, 2026. The tour highlighted how the Academy’s cutting-edge undergraduate research contributes to the Department of the Air Force’s modernization priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
April 23, 2026

Academy repositions statues to strengthen cadet heritage and public access

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) statue is now located in the Air Garden on the Terrazzo. The Academy is relocating statues and memorials to increase visibility for the cadets and for the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy is relocating select statues and memorials from the Honor Court outside Harmon Hall to new locations across the installation ahead of the opening of the Hosmer Visitor Center in May. The repositioning places several memorials in the Air Garden on the Terrazzo,...

Continue Reading Academy repositions statues to strengthen cadet heritage and public access

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) statue is now located in the Air Garden on the Terrazzo. The Academy is relocating statues and memorials to increase visibility for the cadets and for the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)
April 20, 2026

Spring Culminating Exercise Tests Cadet Warfighter Skills

Cadets transport a manikin patient after assessing and treating its injuries during the Superintendent’s Challenge as part of the Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 18, 2026. Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the CULEX, a rigorous and realistic military training exercise, to develop into combat-ready, future Air Force and Space Force leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) April 15-18, 2026. The...

Continue Reading Spring Culminating Exercise Tests Cadet Warfighter Skills

Cadets transport a manikin patient after assessing and treating its injuries during the Superintendent’s Challenge as part of the Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 18, 2026. Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the CULEX, a rigorous and realistic military training exercise, to develop into combat-ready, future Air Force and Space Force leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
April 9, 2026

Cadet Military Education Training streamlines four-class development

Cadet 2nd Class Sophie Kent, left, mentors Cadet 3rd Class Charles Arquette in the Multi-Domain Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 14, 2026. The Cadet Military Education Training Plan requires cadets to mentor underclassmen as part of their leadership development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Harry Lundy U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets progress through a structured four-class system throughout their 47-month journey. This development is supported by updated training under the Cadet Military Education and Training Plan. Permanent party and...

Continue Reading Cadet Military Education Training streamlines four-class development

Cadet 2nd Class Sophie Kent, left, mentors Cadet 3rd Class Charles Arquette in the Multi-Domain Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 14, 2026. The Cadet Military Education Training Plan requires cadets to mentor underclassmen as part of their leadership development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)
April 9, 2026

Colonel Tellez to Succeed Brigadier General Marks as Commandant, Reinforcing Warfighter Focus at the Academy

Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, left, and Col. Brandon J. Tellez, right. Tellez has been assigned as the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 32nd commandant of cadets, succeeding Marks. (U.S. Air Force photos). U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - In preparation for a change of command ceremony next month, Col. Brandon J. Tellez, Class of ’01, has been assigned as the Academy’s 32nd Commandant of Cadets, succeeding Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, who will retire this summer after a distinguished Air Force career. Col. Tellez is currently serving as Senior Executive Officer to the Air...

Continue Reading Colonel Tellez to Succeed Brigadier General Marks as Commandant, Reinforcing Warfighter Focus at the Academy

Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, left, and Col. Brandon J. Tellez, right. Tellez has been assigned as the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 32nd commandant of cadets, succeeding Marks. (U.S. Air Force photos).
April 1, 2026

Historic ceremony marks 306th FTG realignment to USAFA

Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Vaage, 98th Flying Training Squadron commander, swaps an Air Education and Training Command patch for a U.S. Air Force Academy one during a ceremony on Davis Airfield here April 1, 2026. The patching ceremony marked the historic realignment of the 306th Flying Training Squadron, of which the 98th FTS is a part, from AETC to the Academy headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Suni) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A patching ceremony was held April 1 at Davis Airfield here to commemorate the historic realignment of the 306th...

Continue Reading Historic ceremony marks 306th FTG realignment to USAFA

Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Vaage, 98th Flying Training Squadron commander, swaps an Air Education and Training Command patch for a U.S. Air Force Academy one during a ceremony on Davis Airfield here April 1, 2026. The patching ceremony marked the historic realignment of the 306th Flying Training Squadron, of which the 98th FTS is a part, from AETC to the Academy headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Suni)
March 30, 2026

Cadets focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Cadet 1st Class Lauren Mirande, left, and Cadet 2nd Class Abigail Anderson, right, learn about volcanic rock types in the Geospatial Science Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 19, 2026. Mirande and Anderson are learning to interpret and analyze data for future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) 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...

Continue Reading Cadets focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Cadet 1st Class Lauren Mirande, left, and Cadet 2nd Class Abigail Anderson, right, learn about volcanic rock types in the Geospatial Science Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 19, 2026. Mirande and Anderson are learning to interpret and analyze data for future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
March 30, 2026

From enlisted service to commission: a cadet’s path to leadership

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield poses for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in this 2018 image. Canfield, now a Cadet 1st Class, earned her appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development (LEAD) program. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Canfield) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - For Cadet 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield, the path to becoming an Air Force officer did not begin with a lifelong plan to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. Instead, it began with a television show, a close friend and a willingness to step into...

Continue Reading From enlisted service to commission: a cadet’s path to leadership

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield poses for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in this 2018 image. Canfield, now a Cadet 1st Class, earned her appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development (LEAD) program. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Canfield)
March 24, 2026

Cadets develop critical thinking skills during engineering lab

Cadets view a force vs. displacement graph during a Mechanical Engineering 220 class at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 18, 2026. During the lab, cadets test, graph, and analyze data to determine if a metal alloy is suitable for a specific design application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By TSgt Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy are honing their critical thinking skills in core classes like Mechanical Engineering 220: Fundamentals of Mechanics. Throughout the semester, cadets in the Academy’s...

Continue Reading Cadets develop critical thinking skills during engineering lab

Cadets view a force vs. displacement graph during a Mechanical Engineering 220 class at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 18, 2026. During the lab, cadets test, graph, and analyze data to determine if a metal alloy is suitable for a specific design application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn)
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