September 3, 2024

Critical thinking laboratory

Martinson Honors Program Director Dr. Diana Polley and Cadet 1st Class Elliott Kmetz listen to scholar conversation in the Reflecting on Wicked Problems capstone course Aug. 27, 2024. All scholar-cadets must take the course during their final year at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Martinson Honors Program cadets seek answers to difficult problems through reasoning, reflection, research, engaged communication and problem-solving. Director Dr. Diana Polley calls it a warrior-scholar’s critical thinking laboratory. “In terms of critical thinking, we...

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August 26, 2024

Red Tails: Squadron 20 name change honors heritage

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Julian Jackson, one of the driving forces behind Cadet Squadron 20’s redesignation to “Red Tails,” stands in front of memorabilia in the recently redesigned Ready Room Aug. 23, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The red tails on Allied aircraft in European skies during World War II symbolized Tuskegee Airmen crews’ commitment to overcoming all obstacles to accomplish their mission. More than 80 years later, a cadet squadron became the first at the U.S. Air Force...

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August 26, 2024

Historian reflects on Academy’s 70-year heritage

Dr. Brian Laslie stands in front of the F-4 Phantom static aircraft display on the Terrazzo. Laslie has been the U.S. Air Force Academy’s command historian since 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When Dr. Brian Laslie walks around the U.S. Air Force Academy, he admires the historic aircraft and memorials to U.S. Air Force heroes. His personal favorites are the F-4 Phantom on the Terrazzo and the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots statue on the Honor Court. Each attraction helps tell the story...

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August 22, 2024

Examining the works of C.S. Lewis: critical thinking and ethics

Cadet 2nd Class Grace Dailey displays a copy of C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man” Aug. 20, 2024. The book is one of many Dr. Adam Pelser uses to teach his “C.S. Lewis and Philosophy” course at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Twentieth-century author C.S. Lewis’s books dominate the top shelf in Dr. Adam Pelser’s office. Pelser, who was recently recognized as an Inaugural Fellow of the Inklings Project, has used Lewis’ work to teach critical thinking skills...

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August 13, 2024

Medical minor ensures cadets remain prepared for grad school

Cadet 1st Class Kayla Kirkbride conducts research in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Biology Aug. 5, 2024. In addition to her Biology major, she is also pursuing a minor in the newly available Pre-Health Professions. The minor makes cadets more competitive when pursuing a graduate program in the medical, dental, nursing, physician assistant and physical therapy tracks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Pre-Health Professions minor makes cadets more competitive for medical or dental graduate programs. The U.S. Air Force Academy...

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August 8, 2024

Engineering cadets gain experience as they build homes for needy

Cadets received hands-on experience driving skid steers during the Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory at Jacks Valley June 3, 2024. Each summer, rising two-degrees practice their engineering skills in the three-week academic course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Almost 100 cadets majoring in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering deploy to a training site each summer. During the three-week Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory or FERL at Jacks Valley, rising two-degrees construct shelters, survey land, build roads, purify water, and operate heavy equipment simulating...

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August 7, 2024

Academy celebrates Acceptance Day 2024

Members of the Class of 2028 salute during the Acceptance Day 2024 ceremony Aug. 7, marking the end of Basic Cadet Training. Each cadet is expected to live up to the letter and spirit of the code. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – About 1,100 Class of 2028 cadets received their fourth-class shoulder boards, signifying their acceptance into the Cadet Wing in a ceremony at Stillman Field Aug. 7. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Acceptance Day ceremony marks the end of Basic Cadet Training...

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August 6, 2024

Through six decades, Wakin blazed trails at Academy

Retired Brig. Gen. Malham M. Wakin’s teaching career at the U.S. Air Force Academy spanned 57 years, beginning in 1959. The former Department of Philosophy head died July 30, 2024, at 93. (U.S. Air Force photo) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Colleagues and former cadets remember retired Brig. Gen. Malham M. Wakin as the service academy’s educational trailblazer. Long honored as an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, he taught philosophy and ethics, served as Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, Chairman of the Humanities Division, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean,...

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August 5, 2024

Bauernfeind assumes role as 22nd Academy superintendent

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s newest Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind salute one another following the ceremonial passing of the unit flag during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Academy, Colo., Aug. 2, 2024. Bauernfeind became the 22nd Academy superintendent following the retirement of Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark June 1, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, faculty and staff welcomed their 22nd superintendent, Lt. Gen....

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August 1, 2024

Class of ’18 grad returns to Academy as aeronautics instructor

Capt. Anna Mason, U.S. Air Force Academy aeronautics instructor, poses for a photo July 24, 2024 at Fairchild Hall, the Academy, Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Capt. Anna Mason, an aeronautical engineer and aeronautics instructor, sits in an office on the top floor of Fairchild Hall, deep in a maze of conference rooms and faculty offices. As with many engineers, she likes to have something to do with her hands – she is spinning a propeller blade with increasing speed as she...

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