December 23, 2019

U.S. Space Force becomes a reality

President Donald Trump signs S.1790, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 as senior leaders look on, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 At Joint Base Andrews. The act authorizes a budget that supports the U.S. armed forces and postures the Air Force to meet the requirements of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Slocum) By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs , Dec. 23, 2019   President Trump signed into law Dec. 20 the sprawling, $738 billion defense bill, making history by creating the Space Force as a stand-alone, sixth branch...

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December 23, 2019

DoD opens Space Force: AF Academy supt says cadets will continue to contribute to space mission, research

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets clean the components of the FalconSAT-6 satellite they and their instructors built at the Academy at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in November. The satellite successfully launched into space Dec. 3, 2018 from Vandenberg. (Courtesy photo) By Ray Bowden, Dec. 23, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Air Force Academy cadets are known for making advances with their research and scientific discoveries but today, the effect they’ll have in space just got a lot bigger, with the Defense Department unveiling its new U.S. Space Force. “Today marks a historic day for our nation and our...

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December 20, 2019

The Weekly Lead: Scholarship winners, a big cyber win & more

The  Weekly Lead 1.  Scholarship Round Up (Graphic by Tech. Sgt. Ben Stratton) Five cadets  at the Air Force Academy are getting ready to study abroad next year, courtesy of Marshall and Scharzman scholarships. It’s not just every cadet who earns these prestigious opportunities. Read about it here: https://www.usafa.edu/news/cadet-scholars-to-study-in-u-k-china-next-year 2.  Healthy Options The Academy’s commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle means cadets have more dining options next year. https://www.usafa.edu/news/academy-to-launch-dining-card-system-expand-options-for-cadets 3.  Another Big Cyber Win U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Sears Schulz (middle) took first place in the President’s Cup, a Department of Homeland Security cyber competition Dec. 12,...

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December 18, 2019

Academy to launch dining card system, expand options for cadets

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Dec. 18, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force Academy will roll out a pilot program expanding cadet dining options early next year. The Cadet Select campus dining card program will adopt best practices from other leading universities while giving cadets access to healthy dining options outside Mitchell Hall. “We listened to cadet feedback and responded to their call for greater flexibility and more dining options – especially for those cadets who have not yet earned driving privileges,” said Beth Claude, 10th Force Support Squadron innovation and integration director. Each month funds from...

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December 17, 2019

AF Academy cadet wins big at cyber competition

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Sears Schulz (middle) took first place in the President's Cup, a Department of Homeland Security cyber competition Dec. 12, 2019.  (Photo / Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) By Ray Bowden, Dec. 17, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- When the dust settled at a Department of Homeland Security cyber competition Dec. 12, a senior cadet at the Air Force Academy took first place in the event’s individual challenge. Cadet 1st Class Sears Schulz fought fake global hackers targeting several federal departments to beat out second place. He said he was “surprised” to take the...

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December 13, 2019

Cadet Chapel renovations alter Christmas service schedule

The Cadet Chapel peeks through the fog on a cold November day at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (Photo /Tech. Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton) Public Affairs staff report, Dec. 13, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Services will not be held at the Cadet Chapel on Christmas Eve this year. The chapel is undergoing major structural work and is predicted to be closed for four years. We know holiday services at the Cadet Chapel can be an important tradition for many and appreciate the patience of our guests as the vital restoration and repairs on this historical building continue....

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December 13, 2019

Academy NCO gets ready for officer training school

(U.S. Air Force photos/Trang Le) By Ray Bowden, Dec. 13, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A curriculum developer at the Air Force Academy is one of a few enlisted Airmen this year to be selected to attend officer training school. “I told myself not to ‘ugly cry,’” said Tech. Sgt. Samantha Van Cleave about her emotional state when Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, the Academy’s commandant, told her of her selection in November in front of her coworkers. “I did work very hard for this, but I’m incredibly honored.” Van Cleave is from Mansfied, Arkansas. She lists education as a...

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December 12, 2019

Academy cadets help send international cadet home for holidays

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Dec. 12, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The distance between Colorado and Cambodia is more than 8,000 miles – a lot farther than the average college student travels to get home for winter break. When Cadet 4th Class Chanyuthea Nou earned a spot in the international cadet program at the Air Force Academy, he understood the exorbitant airfare likely meant he would be away from his family for four straight years. “I had a passion to pursue – becoming a successful aeronautical engineer and an officer of good character,” he said. Nou arrived at...

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December 10, 2019

Prep School Spotlight: LEAD Airmen share their stories

  Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Dec. 10, 2019 Admission to Air Force Academy is highly competitive and each year more qualified candidates apply than are spots available. Of those who are not accepted, candidates with the most potential are offered positions at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School – including prior enlisted Airmen who are admitted through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development Program. Each LEAD Airmen takes a different path to the Air Force Academy; however, all quickly find out the next ten months at the prep school will be unlike anything they have done in the Air Force thus...

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December 6, 2019

Academy UAS Center prepares cadets for future fight

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Dec. 6, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force Academy brought a cutting-edge, multi-drone light show to its campus last month to celebrate its storied rivalry with West Point. As hundreds of drones moved in synchronization to delight the audience with messages like ‘Beat Army,’ the six-minute display showed how far unmanned aerial systems have come since Civil War-era balloons and what's still possible. “We are really in the Wright Brothers era of unmanned aerial systems,” said Col. Eduardo Defendini, director of the Air Force Academy UAS Center. “New and exciting aircraft shapes,...

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