October 28, 2020

A clear barrier to COVID-19: Academy installs Plexiglass shields across campus

All photos by Josh Armstrong Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 28, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Plexiglass barriers have been installed in classrooms across the Air Force Academy to help shield cadets and faculty from the coronavirus. In all, 800 Plexiglass shields have been mounted in classrooms and common areas across the campus since July. “The dean of the faculty and the Academy at-large bought a significant amount of materiel to make sure Fairchild Hall was safe for cadets and faculty,” said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Milligan, the dean of faculty’s senior enlisted manager. "The health and safety of...

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October 27, 2020

New position helps Academy prepare for all things space

By Ashley D. Murphy, Strategic Communications As the U.S. Air Force Academy establishes itself as the premier commissioning source to the U.S. Space Force (USSF), they have created a position to motivate, inform, influence, inspire, and assess cadets into the newest branch of the U.S armed forces. Colonel Jeffrey Greenwood, Air Force Academy Space Force Liaison, explains his role is to focus on all things “space” and to help stand up a new Space Force detachment at the Academy. “Space encompasses more than just a couple departments,” he said. “Integrating space across all mission elements and all offices is critical...

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October 23, 2020

Academy to host 12th Annual SoTL Forum

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, photo by Sarah Goldblum, Oct. 23, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy will host its 12th Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Forum virtually, Oct. 27 and 29. SoTL uses a systematic research approach to understanding teaching and learning to improve student’s academic outcomes. For example, instructors might examine the impact of adding technology to the classroom or the implementation of team-based learning. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Jeff Karpicke, a renowned cognitive psychologist from Purdue University who has researched learning and memory in laboratory settings. Results from his lab illustrate the...

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October 21, 2020

‘A team effort’: Academy’s History Office takes home top awards

Story by Ray Bowden, photo by Trevor Cokley, Oct. 21, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy’s History Office earned two high-level awards earlier this month: the Excellence in History Program Award and the Air Force Heritage Award. The Excellence in History Program Award recognizes the best history programs in the Air Force, and the Air Force Heritage Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments by Air Force History and Museums Program personnel. “Receiving these awards was truly a team effort,” said Dr. Charles Dusch, the school’s command historian and director. “Every member of our history office, our museums specialist,...

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October 16, 2020

Flying team builds character through dynamic competition

by Ashley D. Murphy, Strategic Communications The Air Force Academy Precision Flying Team exists to create officers and pilots of character through flying training and competition at the national level. This highly select team of 28 cadets competes in multiple National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competitions throughout the year, flying either a T-51 or T-41 aircraft. This dynamic training and competition helps prepare them for the rigors of active-duty military aviation. “The USAFA Precision Flying Team is a unique program that allows cadets who make the team to train and fly in a way that prepares them extremely well for...

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October 14, 2020

Academy firefighters respond to Wild Horse fire at Fort Carson

Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 14, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Firefighters at the Air Force Academy were among several agencies to respond to a wildfire burning on Fort Carson that blackened hundreds of acres, Oct. 13. The Wild Horse Fire still burned Tuesday near Highway 115 south of Fort Carson's Gate 6, but no structures or personnel were in danger, according to a Fort Carson News release. Six firefighters assigned to the Academy’s 10th Civil Engineering Squadron responded to Fort Carson on Sunday to work with other agencies to keep the fire from crossing Highway 115, and provided...

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October 13, 2020

Academy creates more operations-focused opportunities

by Ashley D. Murphy, Strategic Communications The U.S. Air Force Academy has created a new position to help further develop cadets into future rated Air Force officers through purposeful and intentional exposure to aviation and Airmanship. The term “rated” refers to an aeronautical Air Force Specialty Code with job duties which entail piloting an aircraft or the operation of aircraft systems and sensors. The Academy’s Operations Career Field Manager responsibilities include scheduling, advising and advocating for cadets and cadet involvement in Airmanship programs while working hand-in-hand with the Cadet Wing and all Academy mission elements to implement a four-year Airmanship...

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October 5, 2020

Cadets in STEM Spotlight: C1C Kat Kowar

Cadet First Class Katarina Kowar chose to attend the U. S. Air Force Academy for it's unparalleled undergraduate programs. A biology major from Woody Creek, Colorado, she has taken full advantage of the opportunities the United States Air Force Academy has to offer. Aside from regular cadet activities, Cadet Kowar has been involved with two STEM research projects and is a member of the United States Air Force Academy's Precision Flying Team. Cadet Kowar joined the biology lab as a sophomore, where she gained the foundational scientific reasoning and laboratory skills that would support her journey in upper level biology...

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October 2, 2020

Academy unveils 20th superintendent’s portrait

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, photo by Joshua Armstrong, Oct. 2, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria (left), and Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, reveal Silveria’s portrait in Arnold Hall, Oct. 1. Silveria was the Academy superintendent from August 2017-September 2020 and retires from his 35-year career in the Air Force later this year. Portraits of all the school’s superintendents are displayed in Arnold Hall.

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September 29, 2020

Academy, local colleges combine to create academic ‘superpower’

Story by Ray Bowden, graphic by Tech. Sgt. Ben Stratton U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets and college students in Colorado Springs say their academic partnership pays off by solving problems for the community. The Air Force Academy, Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College and University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, are members of “The Quad” – The Quad Innovation Partnership – students and faculty from each school who tackle issues for Colorado Springs. "One special quality the Quad offers cadets is that it helps them become adept at building partnerships within their civic communities," said Col. Chris McClernon, the Academy's associate...

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