November 12, 2024

Astronautics instructor empowers future officers through experience, mentorship

Lt. Col. Heather Greatting-Dufaud, U.S. Air Force Academy Astronautical Engineering instructor, poses for a photo at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Oct. 31, 2024. Her experience with satellite systems development has made her one of the leading experts in the Department of Astronautics, which has led to a major overhaul of the Satellite Communications course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the U.S. Air Force Academy, Lt. Col. Heather Greatting-Dufaud combines her operational experience with a deep commitment to mentorship, striving to...

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November 6, 2024

Cadets tackle German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge events

Cadet 1st Class Leo Sterns Rentas, right, observes an Air National Guard Airman accomplish nuclear, biological and chemical training at the U.S. Air Force Academy Oct. 25, 2024. Cadets joined Air National Guard Airmen and U.S. Soldiers from Fort Carson, Colorado, in the German Armed Forces Proficiency Program events Oct. 25 and 28-29. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadets assisted Air National Guard Airmen and U.S. Army Soldiers during German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge events held at the U.S. Air Force Academy and...

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November 5, 2024

Drum and Bugle Corps hone leadership skills

The Drum and Bugle Corps, also known as the “Flight of Sound,” represents the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing musically. Members showcase the Academy through military drills and music while honing their leadership skills. (Courtesy photo provided by Cadet 1st Class Connor Brezenski) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Drum and Bugle Corps earns its reputation as the “Flight of Sound” and the musical face of the Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy. For three of the band’s cadet leaders, the Corps also represents a formative leadership...

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October 29, 2024

Cadet research tackles aircraft battle damage

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets 1st Class David Ke and Ashlynn Sweet work on their four-person autonomous identification and localization of aircraft battle damage research project in the Center for Aircraft Life Extension Aug. 26, 2024. The cadets located the airplane parts crucial to their research in the CAStLE and Department of Mechanical Engineering labs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A four-cadet team approaches the conclusion of their research project at the U.S. Air Force Academy. They have been using quad-rotor drones to...

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October 28, 2024

2024 Outstanding Airmen of the Year visit the Academy

Cadet 2nd Class Will Beaman and members of the 2024 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (OAY) cohort explore the cadet area during the 2024 OAY immersion at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Oct. 25, 2024. The visit provided cadets an invaluable opportunity to engage with the Air Force’s top performing enlisted members ahead of the 2025 National Character and Leadership Symposium (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith). By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy recently welcomed the 2024 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (OAY) for...

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October 22, 2024

Cadets put leadership, warfighter skills to the test

Class of 2027 cadets check their map during the land navigation event in the Fall Culminating Exercise at Jacks Valley Oct. 17, 2024. The 15-hour exercise tested more than 4,000 cadets on critical thinking, leadership and warfighter skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadets from all 40 squadrons tested their critical thinking, leadership and warfighter skills during the U.S. Air Force Academy’s two-day 2024 Fall Culminating Exercise Oct. 17-18. The CULEX replaced the Commandant’s Challenge and Commandant Training Day and directly supports one...

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October 15, 2024

All-female skydiving teams excel in competition, leadership

Air Force Halo skydiving team member Cadet 1st Class Abby Halasi-Kun lands at Davis Airfield during training Sept. 28, 2024. Halo is one of two all-female skydiving teams in the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachuting program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – From 11,000 feet, the two Wings of Blue all-female competitive skydiving teams enjoy a breathtaking view of the U.S. Air Force Academy below them. While three of the six team members are aspiring pilots, each parachuting cadet will be...

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October 15, 2024

F-22 pilot attributes success to cadet airmanship program

U.S. Air Force Maj. Samuel “RaZZ” Larson flies his F-22 Raptor over the Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy Aug. 14, 2024. Larson, Class of 2015, is commander of the F-22 Demonstration Team with the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Maj. Samuel “RaZZ” Larson set his sights on a career as a pilot when he visited air shows as a youngster in Iowa. His experience as a jumpmaster in the U.S....

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October 7, 2024

Cadets provide motorist assistance; display leadership skills

Cadets 1st Class Tobias Temple, left, and Nicole Hedges and Cadet 2nd Class Wyatt Bell stand in front of Polaris Hall at the U.S. Air Force Academy Oct. 4, 2024. The cadets provided motorist assistance to a driver trapped inside her overturned vehicle on I-25 North in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Ward) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – One early September night in Colorado Springs, a motorist flipped her car off the busy interstate, leaving her trapped inside. While cars continued to...

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October 7, 2024

Cadets and war stories: studying war’s human impact

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Cassidy Rosa takes notes on one of the books studied in the Department of English and Fine Arts’ War Literature and Film course Sept. 26, 2024. The course’s critical thinking component allows cadets to study warfare’s full spectrum. Future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers learn to become effective, empathetic and thoughtful leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadets explore the human side of conflict beyond the battlefield through the lenses of multiple mediums...

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