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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March 6, 2020

The Weekly Lead: A focus on DoD’s banned substances; coronavirus update & more

The Weekly Lead  Senior Capstone focuses on Banned Substances Cadets at the Air Force Academy designed their senior capstone project to educate cadets and Airmen on the Defense Department’s banned substances list, which changes regularly. The project promoted awareness of over-the-counter products containing hemp material and Cannabinol – “CBD – two of many substances you can’t use if you wear a U.S. military uniform. Read about their project here: https://www.usafa.edu/news/af-academy-senior-capstone-increases-awareness-of-banned-substances/     Coronavirus Update The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has accessed the risk of the Novel Coronavirus to the...

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March 5, 2020

AF Academy senior capstone increases awareness of banned substances

News feature: 'Read the Ingredients' Cadet 1st Class Melissa Brunkal speaks to a class of law students at the Air Force Academy, Feb. 25. She and Cadets 1st Class Alex Hankhouse, Hailee Macias and Isaac Turner presented their capstone project concerning Defense Department and Air Force drug policies and familiarizing cadets and Airmen with the DoD banned substances list.  Story by Ray Bowden,  photos by Trang Le, Feb. 5, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Four law students hope their senior capstone project helps cadets at the Air Force Academy make smart decisions about products containing ingredients and substances banned...

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March 4, 2020

Senior NCO beats odds, fulfills dream of teaching

Master Sgt. Gloria Kuzmicki is a Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership instructor at the Air Force Academy's Dean of Faculty. She teaches approximately 300 freshman, sophomore and junior cadets.  Story and photos by Master Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes, March 4, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - “Educate,” “Motivate” and “Inspire” -- three words Master Sgt. Gloria Kuzmicki said she’s tried to live by during her near two-decade Air Force career. It seems fitting, then, that she’s an enlisted academic instructor at the Air Force Academy. “I didn’t think that teaching in the academic classroom was something I would...

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