June 21, 2023

Brig. Gen. Marks takes command of Cadet Wing

Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks accepts command from Brig. Gen. Paul Moga as U.S. Air Force Academy commandant of cadets in a ceremony at Stillman Field June 21, 2023. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As he assumed command of the Cadet Wing, Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks described returning to the U.S. Air Force Academy as “an indescribable honor, deeply personal and uniquely familiar.” Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark presided over the ceremony at Stillman Field where Marks became the Academy’s 31st commandant when he took...

Continue Reading Brig. Gen. Marks takes command of Cadet Wing

June 13, 2023

The breakdown: Class of 2023 stats

The most diverse class in U.S. Air Force Academy history, the Class of 2023, graduates June 1, 2023 at Falcon Stadium. Cadets wearing a silver sash are commissioned into the U.S. Space Force and those wearing a gold sash are commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - More than 900 Air Force and Space Force cadets graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in a ceremony at Falcon Stadium June 1. In all, 806 Class of 2023 cadets were...

Continue Reading The breakdown: Class of 2023 stats

June 8, 2023

Class of 2023 graduate ready to define his path in “family business”

Second Lt. Alfred K. Flowers III receives the oath of office from his grandfather, retired Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers, and his father, Brig. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers Jr. ,at his commissioning ceremony May 31, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Alfred K. Flowers III’s, who goes by Kendell, most prized graduation gift was a small, rectangular piece of wood resembling what might rest on any officer’s desk. He was gifted the name plate from his father, Brig. Gen. Alfred...

Continue Reading Class of 2023 graduate ready to define his path in “family business”

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...

Continue Reading Recent grad looks forward to role in hypersonic research

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...

Continue Reading Cadet candidates celebrate Academy Prep School graduation

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) By 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...

Continue Reading Scholars unite for war, the Holocaust, human rights discussion

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...

Continue Reading Cadet team conducts robotics research

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...

Continue Reading Disaster relief training acts as leadership lab

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...

Continue Reading Air Force Academy honors Spirit 03 aircrew legacy

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...

Continue Reading Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion