March 25, 2023

Academy’s Madera Cyber Innovation Center construction in full swing

An artist’s rendering depicts the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Madera Cyber Innovation Center and its architecture. Academy officials collaborated with multiple organizations including the Air Force Academy Foundation to sponsor the $58 million dollar facility, expected to be ready by the 2024 fall semester. The building will allow cadets to stay at the forefront of cyber innovation and problem-solving. (Courtesy photo) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional contractors are underway toward finishing a state-of-the-art construction project that U.S. Air Force Academy officials expect to be ready...

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March 22, 2023

Seniors prepare for joint force experience in spring CULEX

Cadets use flight simulators in the multi-domain lab during the spring culminating exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 18, 2023. The CULEX simulated a joint forces scenario testing teamwork, leadership and agile combat employment skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Senior cadets’ operational thinking and strategic understanding were put to the test this semester with a multi-domain training approach for soon-to-be second lieutenants. The Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) is a test of senior cadets’ ability to practically apply knowledge and skills...

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March 2, 2023

NCLS 2023: Jared Isaacman says leaders must empower their teams

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments and mission commander of Polaris Dawn, addresses cadets during his fireside chat at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 23, 2023. He shares his experience building high performance teams with National Character and Leadership Symposium attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Jared Isaacman, pilot, civilian astronaut and CEO of Shift4 payments, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his U.S. Air Force Academy’s National Character and Leadership Symposium fireside chat.   Isaacman shared why leadership and teamwork secured...

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February 27, 2023

NCLS 2023: A graduate, entrepreneur motivates future female leaders

Jen Griswold, CEO of BossLady Bio, speaks to cadets at the 30th anniversary of the National Character and Leadership Symposium at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 24, 2023. Griswold’s message to cadets is to be their true selves and never stop believing in their abilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco) By Senior Airman Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Jen Griswold shared her experiences as an entrepreneur, author and retired military officer with cadets and faculty Feb. 23-24 during the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Griswold, a...

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February 23, 2023

Service Academy Character Summit debuts at NCLS

Kevin Basik, National Medal of Honor Institute chief of leadership programs, speaks with Medal of Honor recipients U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski, U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Swenson, and U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg at the Service Academy Character Summit at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 22, 2023. The summit aims to find shared values across the service academies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Each year the National Character and Leadership Symposium aims to raise the bar on character...

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February 13, 2023

Cadet earns leadership award, scholarship to attend medical school

Cadet 1st Class Sirri Akaya poses outside Fairchild Hall, Jan. 31, 2022. She recently won the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Military Student Leadership. The U.S. Air Force Academy senior plans to attend medical school next year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo – Cadet 1st Class Sirri Akaya fell in love with biology in high school and has never looked back. She’s scheduled to graduate this June from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in biology and a Health Professionals...

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February 8, 2023

CCLD director says NCLS offers professional development opportunities

Col. Kurt Wendt, director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development, in his office at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 5, 2023. Wendt’s focus is to develop leaders of character at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Senior Airman Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Growing up in small-town Wisconsin, Col. Kurt Wendt was not sure what he wanted to do for a career. He did know, however, he wanted to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy due to the school’s reputation. “Joining the Air...

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February 6, 2023

Wings of Blue supports Polaris Dawn crew

Members of the Polaris Dawn crew including Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, Medical Officer Anna Menon and Mission Commander Jared Isaacman take time to pose for a photo before completing the AM-490 basic freefall parachute training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Jan. 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When it comes to out-of-this-world training, cadets and faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy are leading the way, as members of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew discovered Jan. 27. The four-person crew completed AM-490 basic freefall...

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February 3, 2023

NCLS offers community opportunity to “reimagine leadership; inspire teamwork”

America’s first hearing impaired comedienne” Kathy Buckley speaks to cadets during the 2022 National Character and Leadership Symposium on. Each year, speakers from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds share their perspectives with cadets and visitors. The theme for 2023 is "reimagine leadership; inspire teamwork," and will feature Medal of Honor recipients, CEOs, musicians and more. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) By Melissa Walther U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Registration is now open for the 30th National Character and Leadership Symposium, held Feb. 23-24 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. This year’s...

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February 2, 2023

Disruptive technology debated at Strategy and Warfare Symposium

Cadets participate in the inaugural Strategy and Warfare Center Symposium in Polaris Hall at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Jan. 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo - The inaugural Strategy and Warfare Center Symposium at the U.S. Air Force Academy focused on disruptive technologies in future conflict. Service academy and ROTC cadets participated in high-level discussions on topics such as hypersonics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing during the three-day event. Military and strategic studies professors, panelists and industry experts encouraged attendees to think about the integrated...

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