September 20, 2021

Academy expands capabilities, capacity with multi-domain lab

Lieutenant Gen. Richard Clark, Superintendent of the Air Force Academy, tries out a flight simulator installed in the school's new multi-domain laboratory, Sept. 17, 2021.  Story by Ray Bowden, photos by Dean Miller U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy’s top military and strategic studies expert said the school’s new multi-domain laboratory would give cadets a clear and accurate view of battle operations, Sept. 17. Housed in Fairchild Hall, the $9.5 million lab opened for business to cadets and faculty with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by staff, faculty and school industry partners that day. The lab contains two...

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September 17, 2021

Academy names learning center after ’64 grad, astronaut

Retired Col. Frederick Gregory, astronaut, pilot and 1964 graduate of the Air Force Academy, applauds during a ceremony naming the school's consolidated education and training facility "Gregory Hall" in his honor, Sept. 16, 2021. Seated onstage are Lt. Gen. Richard Clark (left), the Academy's superintendent, and Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, the school's dean. (U.S. Air Force Academy photo/Trevor/Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A research hub for Air Force Academy cadets was named after Air Force pilot and astronaut Frederick Gregory, Sept. 16. Formerly the consolidated education and training facility,...

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September 16, 2021

Eye care for 10th Medical Group patients expands with a ‘smile’

Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs Service members and cadets at the Air Force Academy may be eligible to receive a new eye procedure designed to improve their sight. The small incisional lenticular extraction, or SMILE, procedure is less invasive than LASIK, a common laser eye surgery, according to Lt. Col. Marcus Neuffer, the Academy’s chief surgeon assigned to the 10th Medical Group. “The LASIK procedure makes a flap which acts like a Band-Aid,” he said. “But the issue with the flap is that people worry about it getting wrinkled. SMILE is...

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September 15, 2021

Top authors promote creative thinking at Academy, Homeland Defense Institute symposium

Story by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn, photos by Josh Armstrong Two New York Time’s best-selling authors shared their creative view on solving problems with Academy cadets and staff during the Breaking America symposium, Sept. 10. The Homeland Defense Institute, created by the Academy and North American Aerospace Defense Command-Northern Command to study potential future domestic threats across Canada and the U.S., sponsored the event. Fiction authors August Cole and Peter Singer’s presentation focused on what they called “fictional intelligence” also known as “useful fiction.” “It’s not futurism, design or speculative fiction,” said Singer. “[Useful fiction] is a deliberate blend of...

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September 9, 2021

Academy co-hosts discussion to combat sex assault, harassment

Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, delivers opening remarks during the virtual National Discussion on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment with America’s Colleges, Universities and Service Academies, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 7, 2021. The multi-day, collaborative event enabled more than 200 senior leaders from the Department of Defense and civilian academic institutions to develop partnerships and to share evidence-based best practices to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment at colleges, universities and service academies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn, U.S. Air Force Academy Public...

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September 8, 2021

Return to Jacks: New commandant strives to instill warfighter mentality among cadets

By Jeff Holmquist, Association of Graduates By the end of his run through the assault course, Brig. Gen. Paul Moga ’95 is dripping in sweat, caked in mud and smiling from ear to ear. As a basic cadet in 1991, Moga successfully navigated the various physical and mental challenges in Jacks Valley, but he never thought he’d be back here — 30 years later and serving as commandant of cadets at his alma mater. In the early days of his new role, Moga was asked if he would like to relive some of his basic cadet glory days. He admits...

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September 8, 2021

The notorious ‘Johnny Bravo’: Great leadership starts at the Academy

by Ashley D. Murphy, Strategic Communications “Embrace this. You are going to second guess yourself being here, not think you are good enough, and wonder if you’ll make it to graduation. Trust me – an incredible journey is in front of you.” Brig Gen Michael “Johnny Bravo” Drowley is a war hero, pilot, weapons school expert, and ’96 graduate of the Academy … but his leadership style, charismatic personality, and sense of humility are what he’s best known for. And, he says he owes it all to his time at the Academy. “USAFA gave me far more than I can put...

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September 7, 2021

The Big Idea: Institute for Future Conflict prepares cadets for evolving fight

By Jeff Holmquist, Association of Graduates One of the Academy’s newest initiatives all started with Dr. Paul Kaminski’s “Big Idea.” In 2016, Kaminski ’64 — a stealth technology pioneer — authored a white paper and approached Academy leadership with a challenging question: How do we better prepare cadets for warfare of the future? Over the course of multiple conversations, brainstorming sessions, and presentations, the Institute for Future Conflict (IFC) was born. Thanks to the ongoing financial support of donors, the institute was officially established on Nov. 8, 2019. Then, in March of 2021, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradford Shwedo ’87 was...

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August 31, 2021

ROKAF Air Chief gains insight into the Academy’s mission

Cadet 1st Class Andrew LaGassa briefs Republic of Korea Air Force Gen. Inho Park, ROKAF Chief of Staff, during a tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Astronautics Laboratory, Aug. 27, 2021. Park toured the Multi-Domain and Aeronautics laboratories and met with South Korean international students during his visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – -- Republic of Korea Air Force Gen. Inho Park, ROKAF Chief of Staff, visited the Academy and Korean cadets here, Aug. 27. Park toured the...

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August 12, 2021

Academy celebrates Acceptance Day, convocation for class of ’25

C1C Benjamin Miller, Demons Echo Flight commander, leads a group of fourth class cadets to cite the honor oath during the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Acceptance Day ceremony at Stillman Parade Field, Aug. 6. Acceptance Day marks the end of basic cadet training for freshmen cadets who also receive their fourth-class shoulder boards to signify their acceptance into the cadet wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Armstrong) U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Scores of freshmen cadets were welcomed into the class of ’25 during the school’s annual Acceptance Day event, August 6....

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