March 3, 2025

DAF senior leaders highlight warrior ethos, lethality during NCLS

An audience of cadets, faculty, service members, visiting undergraduate students and community leaders listen to a senior leader panel during the National Character and Leadership Symposium at the Arnold Hall Theater, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 21, 2025. NCLS is the Academy’s annual leadership symposium bringing together distinguished scholars, military leaders, corporate executives, and world-class athletes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech Sgt Zachary Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. military general officers and senior enlisted advisors headlined a senior leader panel during the 32nd annual National Character...

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February 26, 2025

From cadet to missileer to mentor: shaping future leaders

Maj. Kaz “Dexter” Moffett, U.S. Air Force Academy Physics instructor, poses for a photo at the Academy, Colo., Feb. 12, 2025. Moffett, a 2014 Academy graduate, served as a missileer and weapons officer where he gained extensive operational experience with the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system before returning to the Academy as an instructor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Returning to the U.S. Air Force Academy as an instructor in the Department of Physics and Meteorology has been more than just a...

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February 25, 2025

Cadets develop airmindedness in soaring program

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Ruth Anand prepares for her flight in her TG-16A sailplane at Davis Airfield, July 30, 2024. In the Academy’s soaring program, cadets develop critical skills such as communication, leadership, decision-making and situational awareness through hands-on glider experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy Soaring Program introduces cadets to airmanship principles, airmindedness and the fundamentals of flight. Through hands-on glider experience in the TG-16A sailplane, cadets develop critical skills such as communication, leadership,...

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February 25, 2025

Cadets receive base assignments at Class of 2025 100s Night

Cadets 1st Class Sam Akolo, left, Micah Trusty, center, and Michael Lee display their base assignments during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2025. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Class of 2025 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned their base assignments during the 100s Night Dining-in ceremony in Mitchell Hall Feb. 13. The event, held about 100 days before graduation, marks a key milestone for...

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February 24, 2025

Mission-focused: the value of a war-fighting mindset

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr. speaks during the 32nd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Feb. 20, 2025. The theme for NCLS 2025 is Warfighters to Win, which is one of the Academy’s three priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr. emphasized the importance of placing the mission first during the 32nd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium Feb. 20. The theme of this year’s symposium was Warfighters to Win. Cadets...

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February 18, 2025

Prep School women’s basketball team completes perfect season

U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School women’s basketball team cadet candidates gather around coach Ke’Sha Blanton during a time out in a game to discuss an upcoming play during the 2024-25 season. The Huskies had an undefeated 2024-25 season (21-0). (Courtesy photo provided by Ke’Sha Blanton) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School women’s basketball team demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience and teamwork during their undefeated 2024-25 season (21-0). Their accomplishment reflects the Academy and Prep School’s commitment to leverage a variety of experiences such as...

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February 18, 2025

Cadets excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Cadet 1st Class Emily Pavuk displays a T-38 Talon model in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering Laboratory, Jan. 31, 2025. U.S. Air Force Academy science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs provide technical and critical-thinking skills our future warfighters need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets go beyond mastering science, technology, engineering and mathematics — they become leaders in these fields. The Academy’s STEM programs equip cadets with critical-thinking skills, technical expertise and leadership qualities essential for navigating...

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February 11, 2025

Course gives cadets foundation for economics, critical thinking

Cadets in the Introduction to Economics course begin an exercise about production processes at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Feb. 4, 2025. The exercise trains cadets in the efficient allocation of resources and strategic decision-making future military leaders need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The future of air and space power demands leaders who understand the intricate relationship between economics and national security. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Introduction to Economics course prepares cadets for resource allocation challenges in modern warfare. In this core course,...

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February 10, 2025

Laser and optics: cadets solve problems to advance research

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets 3rd Class Delaney Finley, left, and Annabelle Towles adjust a vacuum system that produces and traps a beam of silicon atoms in the U.S. Air Force Academy Laser and Optics Research Center, Jan. 22, 2025. The cadets’ project uses specific laser frequencies to cool and trap silicon atoms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are at the forefront of innovation as they solve real-world problems at the Laser and Optics Research Center. If successful,...

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February 6, 2025

Cadets advance unmanned aircraft systems technology

Cadet 1st Class Junhyung Park tests his capstone team’s counter-unmanned aircraft system in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Jan. 15, 2025. Capstone projects like this demonstrate cadets’ problem-solving skills while they conduct research that supports warfighting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadets in the U.S. Air Force Academy Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research solve complex problems to shape the future of unmanned aerial vehicle technology. They demonstrate their problem-solving skills while conducting meaningful research to support...

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