April 18, 2020

The power of a good teacher: Cadet asks influential teacher to commission him into U.S. Space Force

C1C Kishan Patel is commissioned in a virtual ceremony by Lt. Col. Karin McWhorter, his former high school teacher, and a member of the Academy's faculty. (Courtesy Photo) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, April 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Kishan Patel is set to commission into the U.S. Space Force as a cyber officer. Six years ago, he knew nothing about the military. It was his high school math teacher who opened his eyes. Lt. Col. Karin McWhorter taught at the Mississippi School for Math and Science while her husband was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base. McWhorter...

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April 15, 2020

Grad Week Feature: Senior fencer finds home on Academy fencing team

  Editors Note: This feature was written earlier this year. NCAA and international fencing competitions were put on hold to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Story by Jennifer Spradlin, April 15, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Sabre fencing is the fastest combat sport in the world. Sabre is offense-driven. A typical scoring pass unfolds in a matter of seconds. Attacks are allowed above the waist, including the head, and it’s common for sabre fencers to use aggressive screams to intimidate their opponents. It’s fair to say sabre fencing is not for the faint of heart....

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April 14, 2020

Grad Week Feature: Two Minnesota natives create Academy’s first women’s hockey team

Editors Note: This article was written earlier this year. Club athletics at the Academy are currently on hiatus due to COVID-19. Story and photos by Jennifer Spradlin, April 14, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Sarah Warner and Katelyn Miller grew up on skates. The two Academy seniors played hockey almost as soon as they could walk on makeshift ice rinks in their backyards and neighborhood ponds. “I developed [such a] love of the game. It’s almost like eating -- an essential part of the day. Your body is telling you to get to the rink,” Warner said. Women’s...

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April 7, 2020

Combating COVID-19: Academy tailors make masks for cadets

Dinia Clemons of the cadet tailor shop at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Story by Ray Bowden, photo by Trevor Cokely, April 7, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- If all goes as planned, senior cadets who stayed at the Air Force Academy to complete their bachelor’s degree during the COVID-19 outbreak will get face masks before the weekend. “Our goal is to distribute these masks to every cadet by close-of-business, Friday,” said Steven Norman, flight chief for cadet logistics. Tailors are making the 10-inch by 6-inch cotton masks at the cadet tailor shop in Sijan Hall. Norman said the...

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April 3, 2020

‘We’ve got this’: Cadet Wing commander thanks parents, grads

Cadet 1st Class Haeley Deeney (right), Air Force Academy Cadet Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, the school's commandant of cadets. Commentary by Cadet 1st Class Haeley Deeney, Air Force Academy Cadet Wing commander, April 3, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Having dealt with myriad uncertainties over the past two weeks, I asked Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the superintendent of the Air Force Academy, if I could draft a letter to both parents and grads to let them know the cadet mindset and truth of our current situation. We are immensely grateful for your love and support over the past...

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April 1, 2020

AF Academy Class of 2020 graduation date moves up

Staff reports, April 1, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Class of 2020 is pleased to announce their graduation event on April 18, culminating four years at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The class is planning an event six weeks ahead of schedule, allowing them to celebrate together while ensuring their health and safety by adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense guidelines. Family, friends, and the public will be able to live stream the entirety of the event, although they will not be able to attend in person due to health and safety concerns....

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March 25, 2020

Cadets continue their education online during COVID-19 outbreak

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Edward Lopez. Story by  Ray Bowden, March 25, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo -- Online distance learning for nearly 3,000 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets sent home to their friends and families will start March 25. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria released all but the senior cadets and a few underclassmen-and-women from the Academy to increase the seniors’ chance of graduating on time and to promote the health of the base population. “Ultimately, the deciding factor was recommendations from our public health officials and the inability to execute social distancing for over...

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March 24, 2020

AF Academy declares public health emergency

Staff report, March 24, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Academy installation commander declared a public health emergency for the base March 23 due to the evolving threat of COVID-19. Additionally, base officials elevated the Academy's health protection condition to HPCON-Charlie to further safeguard service members, community and the national defense missions supported here. We will continue to put updated information on our Academy social media outlets and at https://www.usafa.af.mil/Coronavirus/ and https://www.usafa.edu/Coronavirus. The declaration of a public health emergency allows the base commander to take certain protective measures, such as restricting base movement and limiting services. The emergency order is in...

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March 13, 2020

Air Force Academy to begin early release of cadets

Staff report, March 13, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, and with multiple members of our base populace being monitored, we have made the conservative decision to begin an orderly dismissal of a large segment of our Cadet population. The goal of this action is to maximize the chances of graduating our senior class on time for our Air and Space Forces while ensuring the best possible care for the entire base populace.  We did not make this decision lightly; we consulted with our medical professionals, sister service academies and local civic leaders,...

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March 12, 2020

Air Force Academy to temporarily close to visitors starting March 13

Staff report, March 12, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As a precautionary measure, and in response to the world and nationwide spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Air Force Academy will temporarily close to visitors as of Friday, March 13, 2020 at 5 p.m. While we understand this action will be disappointing to some, your health and safety as well as that of our military, civilian personnel, family members and base community is our top priority. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 on the Academy; however, Academy leadership will continue to evaluate the situation and take risk-based measures...

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