April 24, 2025

Ceremony honors 16th Schulte Award recipient

Cadet 1st Class Kylie Swartz received the 16th annual 1st Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte Cadet Award and Recognition Ceremony during a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 23, 2025. Since 2010, the Center for Character and Leadership Development present the annual award in memory of Schulte, Class of 2006. Also pictured (from left to right) are U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind; Schulte’s mother, Susie Schulte; her father, Bob; and Col. Matthew Horner, Center for Character and Leadership Development permanent professor. In 2009, Schulte became the first female Academy graduate killed in action during the...

Continue Reading Ceremony honors 16th Schulte Award recipient

April 24, 2025

Engineering the future: Professor bridges innovation, leadership in the classroom

Dr. Brian Johns, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Mechanical Engineering assistant professor, is helping shape the next generation of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force leaders by combining technical rigor with mentorship and mission relevance. From building virtual-reality surgical simulators to developing artificial intelligence-driven tools for engineering design, Johns has always worked at the forefront of innovation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – From building virtual-reality surgical simulators to developing artificial intelligence-driven tools for engineering design, Dr. Brian Johns has always worked...

Continue Reading Engineering the future: Professor bridges innovation, leadership in the classroom

April 23, 2025

Day one ready: cadets hone their basic combat skills

A first-degree cadet fires an M-18 pistol at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance firing range, Feb. 28, 2025. Small arms marksmanship is one of the basic combat and warfighting skills cadets routinely train on at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy produces officers prepared to win decisively, intelligently and relentlessly. Rigorous and iterative warfighter training starts with basic combat skills. Cadets must progress in their foundational learning while at the Academy, and this...

Continue Reading Day one ready: cadets hone their basic combat skills

April 15, 2025

Leading with strategy: Shaping cadets for the complexities of tomorrow

Lt. Col. Emily Bulger, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Management assistant professor, blends real-world leadership with research-backed teaching practices to prepare the next generation of officers. A 2005 Academy graduate, Bulger considers her return to the Academy as a professor a natural continuation of her journey in leadership and service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Whether commanding a finance squadron or leading cadets through business simulations, Lt. Col. Emily Bulger brings strategic depth and operational competency to everything she does. As an...

Continue Reading Leading with strategy: Shaping cadets for the complexities of tomorrow

April 8, 2025

Cadet Wing commander promotes warrior ethos

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing Commander Cadet 1st Class Joseph Tschetter takes command of the Cadet Wing on the Terrazzo, Jan. 3, 2025. As the Academy’s highest-ranking cadet, Tschetter is instrumental in cadet development as warrior leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As Cadet Wing commander, Cadet 1st Class Joseph Tschetter connects cadets with U.S. Air Force Academy command staff to foster military excellence and warrior ethos. Additionally, the Academy’s highest-ranking cadet supports the Cadet Wing’s development into warfighters prepared to tackle...

Continue Reading Cadet Wing commander promotes warrior ethos

April 7, 2025

Arctic research examines impact on operational readiness

Cadets 2nd Class Anna Bardorf, Emma Bingen and Jordan Martinez stand with Cadets 1st Class Billie Botes, Colby Deleeuw and Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson on the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Anchorage, Nov. 28, 2024. The U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership’s Yukon Field School trip taught the cadets to identify potential challenges for future warrior leaders assigned to the region. (Courtesy photo provided by Capt. Samantha Van Cleave) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As global interest in the Arctic escalates, the...

Continue Reading Arctic research examines impact on operational readiness

April 4, 2025

Academy recognizes military spouse for heroic life-saving actions

Mrs. Alicia Shamblin, a registered nurse and military spouse, embraces Cadet 3rd Class Boaz Abramoff during an award ceremony at Polaris Hall, March 31, 2025. Shamblin was recognized for her swift response and medical expertise that saved Abramoff’s life following a parachuting accident on July 31, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy recognized Mrs. Alicia Shamblin for her extraordinary actions that saved the life of a cadet during an award ceremony, March 31. Shamblin, a registered nurse and...

Continue Reading Academy recognizes military spouse for heroic life-saving actions

April 2, 2025

CATM renovations enhance training efficiency, safety

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s 10th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) facility recently underwent extensive renovations, significantly improving operational efficiency, training capacity, and safety. These upgrades, completed ahead of schedule, have transformed how CATM conducts weapons training, supporting Academy personnel and regional military and law enforcement agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s 10th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) facility recently underwent extensive renovations, significantly improving operational efficiency, training capacity, and...

Continue Reading CATM renovations enhance training efficiency, safety

March 14, 2025

New self-help store serves cadets

Cadet 4th Class Eden Hewes, U-Fix-It store customer, drives a screw into her wardrobe to repair a latch, at Vandenberg Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 14, 2025. U-Fix-It is a new self-help store at Sijan Hall and is open to all cadets and Academy personnel to support minor maintenance and repair issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Academy’s 10th Civil Engineer Squadron recently opened a self-help store in Sijan Hall. Dubbed “U-Fix-It,” Academy leadership intends for...

Continue Reading New self-help store serves cadets

March 11, 2025

Cadets test warfighter readiness in spring CULEX

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets conduct the 2025 Spring Culminating Exercise opening ceremony at the Academy, Colo., March 5, 2025. This exercise marks a significant shift from previous iterations, serving as a test of concept for future training exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) 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,...

Continue Reading Cadets test warfighter readiness in spring CULEX