June 22, 2018

USAFA grad, Russian cosmonaut talk International Space Station mission at press conference

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Texas -- U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and NASA astronaut Col. Nick Hague, discusses his upcoming trip to the International Space Station during a news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, June 18, 2018. Hague and Alexey Ovchinin, Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut, will journey to the ISS on Oct. 11, 2018, aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann) Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann, Air Forces Cyber Public Affairs, June 22, 2018 JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Texas (AFNS) -- Surrounded by media representatives and...

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June 21, 2018

USAFA senior NCO slated for OTS after 19 years of enlisted service

Photo and story Ray Bowden/June 21, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- So you’re an Airman who wants a radical life change? Try following Senior Master Sgt. William Rudd’s lead because it rarely gets more radical than this. He’s slated to attend officer training school later this year at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, after 19 years of enlisted service. He’ll be 38 when he gets there. “As I grew older, I realized becoming an officer would provide me a greater opportunity to lead Airmen,” Rudd said. “I didn’t want to look back and regret that I never tried.” Rudd...

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June 19, 2018

Operation Air Force: Cadets visit Royal AF Lakenheath, England

By Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs/June 19, 2018 ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- U.S. Air Force Academy cadets were given a glimpse into the inner workings of the 48th Fighter Wing during a two-week summer program at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 5. The program “Operation Air Force,” embeds aspiring military leaders into the current operations of a military installation. The experience shows them just how important each aspect of an organization is to the mission of the base. During the visit, six cadets were educated on the mission of the 48th Fighter Wing...

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June 14, 2018

‘A great stepping stone’: 16 Airmen graduate CCAF

(U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans) Story by Laurie Wilson, June 14, 2018 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo -- Sixteen Airmen received their Community College of the Air Force degrees and professional certificates June 13 the Air Force Academy. Thirteen earned their associates in five career areas and three earned professional manager certificates. "The CCAF was the instrumental piece to me being able to become an officer," said commencement speaker 2nd Lt. Tyler Gulleton at the graduation ceremony. "I want to remove any possible perception that the CCAF is just a box to check on the way to making master sergeant," he said. "It's...

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June 11, 2018

USAFA Prep School gets new commander June 8

Col. Timothy Thurston, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, speaks June 8, 2018, during the Prep School change-of-command ceremony. Thurston takes over command from Col. Jaqueline Breeden.  (Photo by Darcie Ibidapo) Story by Ray Bowden/June 11, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy Preparatory school has a new commander: Col. Timothy Thurston. He’s a 1995 Academy graduate and master navigator with more than 2,500 hours of flight time. During the change-of-command ceremony June 8 at Black Field on the Prep School campus, Thurston said he’ll concentrate on honor and the Air Force core values: integrity...

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May 24, 2018

Secretary of Defense Mattis tells USAFA’s Class of ‘18 to safeguard the Air Force’s legacy

Newly-commissioned second lieutenants celebrate as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Falcon Stadium at the culmination of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2018 graduation ceremony, May 23, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris DeWitt) Story by Ray Bowden, May 23, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Secretary of Defense James Mattis told nearly 1,000 graduating cadets to take charge of the Air Force during the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2018 graduation ceremony, May 23. “The warrior ethos and the fierce character that you now inherit as your own character will now have to stand between us...

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May 22, 2018

The breakdown: The stats on USAFA’s Class of 2018

(U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan) By Ray Bowden/May 22, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- (Editor's note: This report is based on the latest Class of 2018 statistics compiled May 21.) Here’s the breakdown for the Class of 2018 graduating from the Air Force Academy May 23. - 1,498 were offered appointments to the Academy - 1,206 men and women were inducted into the Academy, including 14 international cadets - There were 942 men (78.1 percent) and 264 women (21.9 percent) in the class - There were 323 (26.8 percent) minorities - There were 585 (48.5 percent) cadets who...

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May 21, 2018

8 things to know about USAFA’s Class of ’18 graduation

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  -- Base gates open at 6 a.m. -- Gates to the stadium open at 7 a.m. -- A government-issued ID card such as a drivers’ license is required to access the base and Falcon Stadium. -- Food must be carried in a clear one-gallon plastic bag. Refreshments will be available from vendors at the stadium. -- Drinks or liquid are not allowed except in clear, sealed water bottles. -- Sunscreen is restricted to one 6-ounce non-aerosol container for each person. -- Cameras are allowed. All camera equipment may...

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May 17, 2018

206 cadet candidates graduate USAFA Prep School

(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Holden Faul) By Ray Bowden / May 17, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Families, friends and faculty celebrated the graduation of 206 Air Force Academy Prep School cadet candidates May 17. “It’s our highest graduation rate in 15 years,” said Prep School commander Col. Jaqueline Breeden during the graduation ceremony in Arnold Hall. Two-hundred-thirty-seven cadet candidates were admitted into the Prep School. Of the graduates, 195 received appointments to the Academy and are scheduled to report for Basic Cadet Training in June. The other graduates will pursue other educational paths. Successful completion of...

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May 16, 2018

Update: Thunderbirds release practice, performance schedule

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team is scheduled to conclude the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2018 graduation ceremony with a 30-minute performance above Falcon Stadium, May 23. The performance is expected to begin between 12:30-1 p.m., after the hat toss. The Thunderbirds will arrive in Colorado Springs May 21 and fly over the Academy around 10 a.m. for a site survey. The team will practice their full performance over the Academy’s Falcon Stadium from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 22. As mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, roads under the show...

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