September 30, 2025

Recurring seminar elevates cadet leadership and organizational results

Cadet 1st Class Robert (Jake) Miller, commander, Cadet Wing and Maj. Tara Holmes, cadet development chief for the Center for Character and Leadership Development, facilitate a discussion about lessons learned during the Cadet Leadership Enrichment Seminar at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Sept. 24, 2025. This recurring seminar equips cadet commanders with the tools to build and motivate effective teams while serving in their leadership roles at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Sonie Rathbun U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadet wing, group, and squadron commanders, along with leaders...

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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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September 24, 2025

U.S. Air Force Academy Ranked Among Nation’s Best

U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized #USAFA as one of the nation’s top undergraduate institutions. U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy continues its ascent as a premier undergraduate institution, achieving significant gains in the latest U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings, released online today. Key Highlights #2 Top Public School: Holding steady as one of the nation's leading public institutions. #5 National Liberal Arts College: A remarkable jump from #8 last year, #18 in 2022, and #39 in 2020, showcasing significant progress and commitment...

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September 8, 2025

Former U.S. Air Force Academy Dean of Faculty Passes Away

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ervin J. Rokke, a distinguished alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1962 and former Dean of the Faculty at the Academy. U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ervin J. Rokke, a distinguished alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1962 and former Dean of the Faculty at the Academy, died Sept. 5, 2025. Lt. Gen. Rokke’s wife, Pam, was with him at the time. “Lt. Gen. Rokke’s legacy is one of dedication to service, commitment to academic excellence, and contributions to developing leaders of character and quality. His influence...

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August 20, 2025

A comprehensive approach to developing a cyber mindset

Cadet 2nd Class Caitlyn Budd and Cadet 1st Class Jaden Liu look at a control panel in the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo, Aug. 7, 2025. The panel is part of the Cross-domain Command and Control Lab where cadets develop a cyber mindset by learning how a user interface acts as a bridge to control a network's functionality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Sonie Rathbun U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy integrates cyber concepts into its curriculum to ensure every cadet develops...

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August 18, 2025

U.S. Air Force Academy adapts to civilian workforce reduction, maintains academic excellence

On the first day of class for the academic year, cadets walk across the Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Aug. 7, 2025. Amid a Department of Defense-wide civilian workforce reduction, the Academy remains dedicated to its core mission of forging the next generation of Air Force and Space Force leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications A new academic year is underway at the U.S. Air Force Academy, with cadets attending classes, competing in athletics, participating in physical training, and advancing their military skills. Amid a Department of Defense-wide civilian...

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August 14, 2025

The Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course enhances basic warfighting skills

U.S. Air Force Academy upper-class cadets conduct a map reconnaissance of a potential ambush site during the Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., July 31, 2025. This course gives cadet instructors the skills and confidence to train underclassmen cadets in basic warfighting to improve the quality of military training at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Sonie Rathbun U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy recently concluded its inaugural Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course (CWIC), an 11-day program held from July 22...

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July 30, 2025

CSRP 2025: taking research beyond the classroom

Cadet 2nd Class Michael Fays poses for a picture with fellow Cadet Summer Research Program participants at NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany, June 12, 2025. As part of the Cadet Summer Research Program, Fays completed both the NATO Instructor Course and the NATO Strategic Operations Planning Course. (Courtesy photo provided by Michael Fays) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - More than 300 cadets participated in the Cadet Summer Research Program (CSRP), taking their research beyond the classroom and into real-world application. The Academy maintains more than 260 national and international...

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July 22, 2025

Basic soaring program introduces cadets to airmanship

Cadet 2nd Class Katherine Daley is prepared for takeoff in a TG-16 glider at Davis Airfield, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., July 8, 2025. Daley went through the basic soaring program before her sophomore year. Now, as a soaring instructor, she is responsible for exposing cadets to military aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Harry Lundy U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets are exposed to aviation, learn the fundamentals of flight and develop airmindedness. Through the world’s largest glider operation, with more than 15,000...

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July 16, 2025

The breakdown: Class of 2029 in-processing stats

Appointees wait to board the bus that will take them to the footprints area, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., June 25, 2025. The Class of 2029 in-processing stats show cadets were admitted from every state, as well as the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Harry Lundy U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Class of 2029 appointees arrived for in-processing, followed by six weeks of Basic Cadet Training, on June 25, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. Basic cadets are in their first phase...

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