May 2, 2019

From the sky to the classroom: Air Force Academy launches virtual tour

Public Affairs staff report, May 2, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- So you want to visit the Academy but don’t feel like leaving home? All you need is the internet, thanks to an interactive, 360-degree virtual tour the school launched May 1. “Every potential cadet, family member, community member and general supporter gets an authentic, behind-the-scenes view of what the Academy is like,” said Mike Peterson, the Academy’s chief of outreach. The tour can be taken with smartphones, computers, or via head-mounted display across the Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Airfield and through the remotely piloted aircraft center, the...

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April 29, 2019

Accreditation process begins at Air Force Academy

(U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden, April 29, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A team from the Higher Learning Commission is at the Air Force Academy to determine if the school meets the standards to reaffirm its accredited status. The HLC's visit, April 29-30, will allow the Academy to showcase how it meets standards set by peer institutions of higher learning and complies with federal law to graduate officers with a Bachelor of Science degree. “We’ve been preparing for the HLC visit for more than a year, but to my mind, we’ve been preparing every day...

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April 29, 2019

Cadet Chapel to remain open through September

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / April 29, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Cadet Chapel will remain open through Sept. 1, 2019 as the Academy continues to work toward a funding solution for sorely needed repairs. The chapel was originally scheduled to close for renovations Jan. 1. The planning team will reevaluate as needed in order to keep the chapel open to the public as long as possible and until more definitive project funding guidance becomes available.

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April 26, 2019

Academy announces finalist for next dean of faculty

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / April 26, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Academy announced April 26 that Col. Linell Letendre is the remaining finalist in the selection process for the Academy's 11th Dean of the Faculty. The announcement follows an exhaustive panel process, in coordination with Air Force senior leaders, in which more than 40 applicants were vetted and evaluated for the position. "This is wonderful news for our cadets, our faculty, and our Academy," said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria. "Linell's leadership and commitment to world-class education and leader development will be invaluable to the USAFA team. She has...

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April 25, 2019

Academy supports Denim Day, international movement against sexual assault

U.S. Air Force photo/Darcie L. Ibidapo) Story by Ray Bowden, April 25, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets and Airmen at the Air Force Academy opted to wear denim April 24 to show solidarity for victims of sexual assault. They participated in Denim Day, an international effort to raise awareness and promote respect. Cadets Kiana Brantley, Abe Rice, and Jess Tobias were among the scores of cadets wearing denim and sporting black "Stand Up USAFA" T-shirts. “Denim Day came about because cadets wanted it to be here,” Cadet 1st Class Tobias said. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria allowed the...

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April 23, 2019

Academy cadets take 1st place at NSA-sponsored cyber competition

From left: Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy; Capt. Justin Raynor, a computer science instructor at the Academy; Cadet 1st Class James Lynch; and Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Cyber Command commander, director of National Security Agency, and chief of the Central Security Service, at the Academy, April 17, 2019. Lynch was on the team of Academy cadets who took first place at the NSA's annual Cyber Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Ray Bowden, April 23, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets at the Air Force Academy grabbed the top slot...

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April 22, 2019

Cultural Immersion Program trips make ‘the world a bit smaller’

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Brianna Murray (middle left) sits with Ugandans during a Cultural Information Program trip to East Africa during spring break, 2019. (Courtesy photo) By Jennifer Spradlin U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet 1st Class Brianna Murray came to the Air Force Academy looking for a chance to be part of something bigger than herself, and recently realized part of that goal with a Cultural Immersion Program trip to East Africa. Murray and three other cadets joined Dr. John Riley, an associate professor in political science, on a 10-day trip during spring break to Rwanda...

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April 19, 2019

Cadet Xander gets Truman scholarship through Air Force Academy’s grad studies program

Cadet 2nd Class Karlee Xander reacts after just being told by Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, the U.S. Air Force Academy's dean of faculty, that's she's the school's latest recipient of the Truman scholarship, April 11, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Ray Bowden U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- An English major at the Air Force Academy just earned a high-level national scholarship for public service. “I cannot even describe the immense joy I felt,” said Cadet 2nd Class Karlee Xander after Academy Dean Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost told her she’d received the Truman scholarship, April 11. “It took...

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April 15, 2019

Liver transplant recipient is latest Air Force Academy Cadet for a Day

(U.S. Air Force photo/Darci Ibidapo) By Jennifer Spradlin, April 15 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Clyde Hoffman loves planes. The Colorado Springs sixth grader researches planes, aircraft safety, and airports in his free time, and flies model planes with his dad on the weekends. Thanks to a partnership between the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Air Force Academy, he was the newest Cadet for a Day at the Air Force Academy, April 12. “It’s been a blast to host Clyde and his family,” said Cadet 2nd Class James Barney. “Before we became cadets, the community gave back to us, and now that...

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April 12, 2019

Academy supt shares successes, challenges at annual ‘State of the Academy’ brief

(U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden, April 12, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy’s top officer hosted his State of the U.S. Air Force Academy briefing in Polaris Hall, April 12. Lieutenant Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy's superintendent, said the annual briefings are among the many ways the Academy communicates with its community and encouraged the audience and those viewing the event online to stay in touch. “It’s certainly a pleasure for me to talk about my alma mater,” he said. Among other topics, Silveria announced the Air Force had postponed repairs...

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