October 18, 2019

Academy hails new dean with assumption of command ceremony

(U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 18, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy heralded in its new dean in an official assumption of command ceremony, Oct. 17. Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, previously a permanent professor and head of the school’s law department, replaces Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, who stepped down in September to retire. “As I’ve reviewed her career, you will notice a recurring theme: dedication to the mission, successful execution and excellence,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy’s superintendent, during the afternoon ceremony. Letendre now leads the Dean of the...

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October 16, 2019

New telescope at Academy to be largest available for public viewing in Colorado

(Courtesy photo/Devin Della-Rose) By Janine Dreger, Oct. 16, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Scientists at the Air Force Academy said a $1.25 million project to install a telescope in the school’s observatory should be complete by springtime. Contractors from the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron, and technicians from the Austrian telescope manufacturer completed the first stage of the project this month when they installed the housing for the 5,000-pound Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope. Associate physics professor and Observatory Director Devin Della-Rose said when complete, the telescope system will support cadet and faculty research projects and connect to the Falcon Telescope Network...

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October 15, 2019

5 research projects AF Academy cadets are working on today

By Janine Dreger, Oct. 15, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Ever wonder what cadet researchers are doing these days at the Air Force Academy? Here’s five projects we think are very interesting. Falcon Satellite Program All systems are “go” for FalconSat-6, a 400-pound satellite designed and built by cadets. It’s been in orbit for 10-months, receiving and transmitting information allowing cadets to track the progress of several space-technology projects. New Dimensions Cadets are developing technology to give pilots mission information during their “debriefs” in three dimensions. If cadets have their way, our pilots will eventually wear 3-D glasses to...

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October 9, 2019

Air Force Academy hosts annual “Audience with an Astronaut”

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 9, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Duane G. “Digger” Carey, a former NASA astronaut who piloted the STS-109 Columbia mission in March 2002, spoke to more than 300 fifth and sixth graders from schools across the Front Range at the Air Force Academy, Oct. 9. The annual “Audience with an Astronaut” event is held in partnership with the Space Foundation and highlights science, technology, engineering and math education as well as the role of the space industry. Carey shared his journey from childhood poverty in Minnesota to a...

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October 8, 2019

Academy cadet remains resilient despite MS diagnosis

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 8, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Garrett Tuin was playing ping-pong with friends last year when he realized he couldn’t see the ball. He was home from the Air Force Academy on winter break, and his symptoms continued to worsen. Tuin was concerned, but his initial thought was that he scratched his eye while snowmobiling the day before or had pink eye. “I made an appointment with my ophthalmologist, who ran some tests, and she basically came back and said there was something going on with my optic nerve and while she didn’t...

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October 7, 2019

Air Force Academy launches new Airmanship Next program

Photo and story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 7, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy recently redesigned its Airmanship program to give cadets more opportunities to experience the Air Force’s flying mission and produce the best pool of rated candidates. Launched at the start of the fall semester, Airmanship Next augments live-flight at the airfield with virtual reality training to reach cadets who may have been excluded in the past by scheduling conflicts and infuses more aviation training into the four-year cadet developmental model. “The reality is that less than half of the cadets from a typical...

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October 4, 2019

Update: Cadets say Adventure Based Learning program is a success

  By (U.S. Air Force Academy photo/Jennifer Spradlin) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 4, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The preliminary results are in on Adventure Based Learning, and it’s scoring high marks from cadets and Academy leadership. The Center for Character Leadership and Development launched the hands-on challenge this summer for cadets entering their sophomore year to experiment with leadership and decision making skills in a dynamic, outdoor environment. Of the 1,105 students who went through ABL, only three cadets were medically disqualified and unable to complete the course. Top performing teams hiked more than 50 miles...

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October 3, 2019

An End of Era: Beloved Academy falcon mascot dies at age 23

(U.S. Air Force Academy photo) Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 3, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Aurora, a White Phase Gyrfalcon and the Academy’s official mascot, died midday Oct. 2. She lived to be 23, roughly twice the age of falcons in the wild. “Our hearts go out to our master-and cadet-falconers, who lovingly cared for and trained Aurora for more than two decades,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, Academy superintendent. “Emblematic of the beauty and majesty of our Falcons, Aurora will be greatly missed by generations of cadets, graduates, faculty members and so many others.” Aurora was...

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September 27, 2019

Academy officer to be promoted to brigadier general

(U.S. Air Force Academy photo) Staff report, Sept. 27, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination for Col. Linell Letendre, head of the law department at the Air Force Academy, for promotion to brigadier general. The confirmation was announced Sept. 26. Letendre has also been selected to be the Academy’s dean, a position she will officially assume Oct. 17. "I am both awed and excited about the opportunity to lead our amazing faculty and staff as the 11th dean of the faculty,” Letendre said. “As Academy educators, we remain committed to graduating officers with...

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September 25, 2019

Roadwork update: Academy Drive to stay closed between Interior and Cadet Drives through Oct 9

Staff report,  Oct. 7, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Academy Drive between Cadet Drive and Interior Drive is scheduled to remain closed through Oct. 9 for repairs. Detour signs are posted at the intersections of Interior and Academy drives, and Cadet and Academy drives. Visitors to the Academy may access the Visitor Center traveling on Academy Drive through Oct. 9. The roadwork work was originally slated to be complete by Sept. 20 but more repairs were needed. Drivers using Academy Drive to get to Harmon Hall are asked to follow the detour signs. Other Roadwork One lane of...

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