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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May 24, 2023

Cadet candidates celebrate Academy Prep School graduation

Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, gives cadet candidates their last motivational words before Prep School graduation. (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.- Two cadet candidates were thinking of more than their impending Academy careers while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduation ceremony May 22, 2023. They were also thinking of doing justice to their fathers’ Academy legacies. Appointee Paige Diehl’s father, Maj. David Diehl, a quarterback for the Academy football team who became a C-17 Globemaster...

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May 18, 2023

Scholars unite for war, the Holocaust, human rights discussion

Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy and University of Texas at Dallas are collaborating on the inaugural War, the Holocaust, and Human Rights Conference, at which speakers will discuss lessons learned from the atrocities of World War II, such as those that took place at the former Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, Oświęcim, Poland, pictured here. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLO.- While differing viewpoints often drive people further apart, members of the U.S. Air Force Academy hope a partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas will unite...

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May 15, 2023

Cadet team conducts robotics research

Cadets and faculty gather in Fairchild Hall to catch a glimpse of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Ghost Robotics Vision 60 robot on campus, Feb. 8, 2023. Cadets, in collaboration with professors from the Academy’s Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, are gathering data, employing model-based systems engineering concepts and developing solutions to determine the practicality of integrating robots into base defense missions. (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. – A team of professors and cadets with the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Warfighter Effectiveness Research...

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May 8, 2023

Disaster relief training acts as leadership lab

Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy listen to Team Rubicon instructors during chainsaw training in Larkspur, Colo. in March 2023. The training is part of an effort by cadets to develop a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief club at the Academy. (courtesy photo: Team Rubicon)    By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.-  Cadet 3rd Class Kevin Duong said he just felt like he wasn’t doing enough. Now he spends his free time organizing cadets, creating partnerships and learning new skills in hopes of establishing a new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief...

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May 8, 2023

Air Force Academy honors Spirit 03 aircrew legacy

(from left-to-right) Randy Helms, Colorado Springs City Council president and U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1979 graduate; Lt. Col. Colin LaFavor, 16th Special Operations Squadron commander; Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent; Michael Van Hoomissen, Academy Class of 1979 president; Karen Roberts, Maj. Paul Weaver’s sister; Jennifer Lavery, Weaver’s sister; and Mark Hille, Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates president, dedicate an AC-130H Spectre gunship sculpture during a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to memorialize the aircrew of Spirit 03, May 5, 2023. Maj. Paul Weaver, Spirit 03 aircraft commander and...

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April 26, 2023

Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion

Cadet 1st Class Catherine Manning moderates a discussion with Gen. James Hecker and retired Gen. Tod Wolters during the Eaker Lecture at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 19, 2023. Retired Generals Philip Breedlove and Jeffrey Harrigian participated remotely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)   By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -  Present and former U.S. Air Forces Europe commanders shared insights into the year-old Russia-Ukraine war with cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy Wednesday during the Ira C. Eaker Distinguished Lecture.  Current USAFE commander Gen. James Hecker, Academy class of...

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April 17, 2023

Cadets create Academy “green tour”

Cadets first class Ardent Almazan, Emily Lukowski and Maddie Williams (left to right) admire the sustainability features in Polaris Hall, a LEED Gold-certified building, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 4, 2023. The cadets developed a green tour of the Academy for their Geospatial capstone. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Justin Pacheco)  By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - You can now take a “green tour” of the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to three senior cadets’ geospatial sciences capstone project.  Cadets first class Emily Lukowski, Maddie Williams and Ardent Almazan spent this semester...

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April 13, 2023

Junior cadet selected as Academy’s 24th Truman Scholar

Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, recipient of the Truman Scholarship U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Isobel Dernlan, Class of 2024, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The junior was named among 62 Truman Scholars selected from 705 applicants nominated by 275 colleges, universities and military service academies. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, as well as academic excellence. Each...

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April 3, 2023

Cadet Chapel reaches restoration milestone

Contractors lower the final panel of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel during a ceremony, March 30, 2023. The ceremony signified the transition from the demolition phase and site preparation to the reconstruction phase of the chapel restoration. Academy officials expect contractors to complete the work by 2027. (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. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project reached a landmark milestone when contractors removed the final aluminum panel March 30. The event marked the 1,008th...

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