June 12, 2019

Academy cadet pushes past comfort zone with beauty pageant, PEER mentoring program

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Savannah Menken (right) and her mother, Lisa Menken, a technical sergeant in the Air National Guard. (Courtesy photo) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, May 12, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Savannah Menken isn’t afraid to test the limits of her comfort zone. Whether it’s applying to the Air Force Academy or entering a beauty pageant on a whim, Menken believes life is meant for adventure. “I had never done anything like a pageant before, never walked on a stage,” she said. “I couldn’t even walk in heels a month before the pageant, but my mother...

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June 12, 2019

CBD products off limits on federal installations

By Story by Jennifer Spradlin, June 12, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  CBD is turning up everywhere: Is it okay for service members and federal employees to use? The Cannabidiol industry has grown rapidly in recent years – popping up everywhere from gas stations to local drugstores. A derivative of the cannabis sativa L. plant, commonly known as marijuana, CBD is turning up in a variety of everyday products from coffee to lotion. CBD is non-psychotropic and does not produce a high; however, it has been linked to other medical benefits by industry leaders. These claims range from pain...

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June 10, 2019

Feature story: 10th ABW commander to leave Academy for Pentagon staff position

Col. Shawn Campbell. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden, June 10, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Colonel Shawn Campbell’s tenure as commander of the 10th Air Base Wing is almost up, but you wouldn’t know it unless you took a look at the bare walls in his office, a tell-tale sign he’s moving out. He’s still deeply involved in leading the wing and working to provide what he calls a “smooth transition” for his replacement, Col. Brian Hartless, who takes command of the wing June 17. Campbell is known for his appreciation of literature, military...

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June 10, 2019

Former mission support group commander closes out career at alma mater

(Photo by Trevor Cokely) By Jennifer Spradlin, June 10, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy’s former mission support group commander gets to end his military career where it started: at the Academy. With the successful completion of his command of the 10th MSG, Col. David Kincaid begins what he calls his “sunset tour” -- a move to the headquarters’ information office until he retires early next year. Of his time as commander, Kincaid said, “It was really neat to [see] how the wheels turn to make the Academy operate and how we prep that battlespace...

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June 3, 2019

Academy’s Summer programs to increase airfield activity

Staff report, June 3, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.  – The Air Force Academy’s summer flying training operations run June 4-August 2. Flying operations, which take place all year but increase during summer, are part of the Academy’s Airmanship programs, which include soaring, powered flight and parachute operations. Summer flying hours are Monday-Friday,7 a.m.-Sunset. There may be an additional occasional Saturday flying training day. Airmanship programs expose cadets to the fundamentals of flying and provide leadership and character development opportunities. More than 1,000 cadets participate in the Airmanship programs during the Summer months. This program supports the development of cadets as future...

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June 3, 2019

Academy’s new commandant of cadets reports for duty

Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria (left), the superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson after she assumes command of the Academy's cadet wing, May 31, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo /Joshua Armstrong) Story by Ray Bowden, June 3, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets at the Air Force Academy have a new boss: Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson. Edmondson reported for duty May 31 to take on her duties as commandant of cadets and for her official assumption of command ceremony, led by Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy superintendent. At the ceremony,...

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May 31, 2019

President Trump says mission of Academy grads is vital to keeping U.S. safe

(U.S. Air Force photo/Darcie Ibidapo) Staff report, May 31, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- President Donald Trump told graduates of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2019 that they have a vital mission: protecting the U.S. The president said this and more during his commencement speech to the class of nearly 1,000 new Air Force officers before handing each graduate their diploma, May 30. “Your country is sending you on a vital mission,” he said at the graduation ceremony in Falcon Stadium. “With your help, nothing will ever, ever, ever stop the United States of America.” The president spoke...

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May 30, 2019

Grad Week Commentary: Athletic director encourages Class of 2019 to look back on an ‘incredible journey’

(U.S. Air Force photo/Darcie Ibidapo) Nathan Pine, U.S. Air Force Academy director of athletics, May 30, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Air Force athletics would like to congratulate the class of 2019 on the impressive accomplishment of graduating from the Academy. This long four-year journey started when you committed to be different, to selflessly serve your country and become part of something bigger than yourselves. As you prepare to join the Long Blue Line, take a few minutes to look back at your incredible journey. From Basic Cadet Training through your commissioning ceremonies, think of how you have...

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May 30, 2019

The breakdown: The stats on the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2019

(U.S. Air Force photo/Darcie Ibidapo) Story by Ray Bowden, May 30, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- (Editor’s note: This report is based on admissions data from Class of 2019.) Here’s the breakdown for the Class of 2019 graduating from the Air Force Academy May 30. -- 1,559 were offered appointments to the Academy. Last year, 1,498 were offered appointments to the Academy. -- 1,242 men and women were inducted into the Academy, including 10 international cadets. Last year, 1,206 men and women were inducted into the Academy, including 14 international cadets. -- 913 men, or 73.5 percent, and...

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May 29, 2019

Grad Week Commentary: Cadets are promise, purpose and passion of 10th Air Base Wing

(U.S. Air Force photo) Commentary by Col. Shawn Campbell, 10th Air Base Wing commander, May 29, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy prides itself on developing leaders of character and we are making good on that promise, purpose and passion. I'm not an Academy graduate, but have thought for many years now, that this is my Academy too. I'm a professional Airman in the profession of arms. Regardless of my commissioning source, and having led officers, enlisted and civilian Airmen as a two-time flight commander, squadron commander, group commander and now wing commander, I think I have the experience,...

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