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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September 25, 2019

AF Academy mourns loss of faculty member Elaine Tendetnik

(U.S. Air Force Academy photo) U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- On Sept. 9, 2019, thousands were shocked to hear that Madame Elaine Tendetnik suddenly passed away. Originally from Dearborn, Michigan, Tendetnik was an instructor of French, the pioneer of the Academy Faculty Senate, a trained French chef, a sommelier, a wife, a mother and so much more. Her husband, Maj. Pavel Tendetnik, her three children, Jessica, Alexander, and Catherine, colleagues from the Academy, friends and the thousands of cadets to whom she was a second mom remember her as a beacon of hope and love. Teaching French at the...

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September 24, 2019

Academy hosts Pathways to Prevention Summit, promotes healthy relationships

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Sept. 24, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Recent studies show an increase in loneliness and isolation in Americans, which can be linked to interpersonal and self-directed violence. The Air Force Academy, recognizing these issues are playing out in military and civilian communities across the country, hosted the Pathways to Prevention Summit, Sept. 23-24. “Our focus for the summit is not just on reaction and response [to violence], but prevention through an emphasis on developing strong protective behaviors,” said Dr. Ken Robinson, Academy violence prevention integrator and summit organizer. Robinson, a former Air Force chaplain,...

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September 11, 2019

AF Academy to host retirement ceremony for Dean of Faculty Armacost, Sept. 13

The U.S. Air Force Academy will host an official retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost (seen here), dean of the faculty, Sept. 16, 2019. Armacost will retire from the Air Force after 30 years of military service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) Staff reports, Sept. 11, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy will celebrate Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost's tenure as  dean of the faculty and his 30-year active duty career with an official retirement ceremony, Sept. 13 in Arnold Hall. Armacost, the Academy’s 10th dean, was nominated to that position in May 2013 by President...

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September 11, 2019

Academy cadet shares 9/11 story

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Sept. 11, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Eighteen years ago, in the midst of the 9/11 attacks, terrorists slammed a hijacked Boeing 757 into the Pentagon. Hanna Born, now a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and her infant sister Heather, were in daycare when the plane tore through the west side of the building. Hanna was 3 years old. Service members from inside the Pentagon rushed to the daycare and evacuated the children. Born described how they carried cribs with multiple infants for half-a-mile and guarded the children until military police officers could...

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September 10, 2019

AF Academy cadets compete for 1st time in reserve officers’ competition in Estonia

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Ethan Haley prepares his sling during the rifle marksmanship portion of the international military competition. United States service members participated in the 2019 Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Military Competition Commission in Tallinn, Estonia, Aug 4-10, 2019. (Staff Sgt. Nina Ramon )  205th Press Camp Headquarters By Ray Bowden, Sept. 10, 2019 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. -- Two cadets and an officer at the Air Force Academy helped Team USA win several medals at a military challenge in Estonia last month. Cadets Ethan Haley and Thomas Walker, and Lt. Col. Rob Marshall, competed in...

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September 9, 2019

‘Some gave all, all gave some’: AF Academy pays tribute to ‘Spooky’ crew members

(U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Janine Dreger, Sept. 9, 2019 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. -- A monument engraved with the names of 86 Airmen who died in the Vietnam War was unveiled at the Air Force Academy, Sept. 6. All were AC-47 Spooky crew members killed in action. “It’s kind of tough to read those names,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Dale White, a former AC-47 crew member, at the unveiling ceremony. Along with the names of the Airmen killed in action, “Some gave all, all gave some” is inscribed on the memorial. “Many of our members either...

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