January 17, 2018

USAFA grad earns Airman’s Medal for saving lives of 3 swimmers

By Kristin Stewart, Jan. 16, 2018 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A 20th Space Control Squadron Airman who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2015 was honored with an Airman's Medal for his actions Jan. 10. First Lt. Dominic Vicino distinguished himself by risking his life to save three others March 31 at Miramar Beach, Florida. That day, swimming was prohibited because of dangerous wildlife and life-threatening riptide conditions along the Gulf Coast. Vicino saw two people waving their arms approximately 100-yards offshore. “I realized they were in distress, so I dropped my belongings and bolted for the water...

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January 10, 2018

USAFA grads bring A-10 thunder, lightning during fight against ISIS

By Staff Sgt. Trevor Rhynes, Jan. 10, 2018 INCIRILIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) -- The 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is wrapping up a deployment that saw heavy involvement in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Their efforts focused on Raqqa for approximately three months. During this time, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs participated in an urban close air support role. Pilots focused on protecting friendly forces as they maneuvered in the city between large buildings in which the enemy hid and used as fighting positions. “It was a difficult location to work in and we faced some situations that...

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December 12, 2017

‘All I wanted was to succeed’: USAFA Prep School NCO reflects on career

Master Sgt. Nicholas Roberts, an Academy military trainer, AMT. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ray Bowden) By Ray Bowden, Dec. 12, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- When Master Sgt. Nicholas Roberts tells you “Wherever the Air Force needs me, is where I’ll go,” you get the idea he’s serious. Since enlisting in 2000, he’s bounced around the World like a lottery ball, deploying to Southwest Asia seven times and on contingency operations in other far-flung places. Nick is a military trainer at the Air Force Academy’s Preparatory School but late next year he reports for flight sergeant duty at the 820th...

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December 7, 2017

As Pearl Harbor Survivors Dwindle, Their Stories Remain Timeless

By Katie Lange, Dec. 6, 2017 Defense Media Activity Dec. 7 marks the 76th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a sneak attack by the Japanese in 1941 that took many American lives and thrust the United States into World War II. The “date which will live in infamy” is commemorated yearly across the entire nation, with many survivors and their families making the pilgrimage to Oahu, Hawaii, in remembrance. While the population of military and civilian survivors from that day has dwindled, their stories and bravery have not. Ahead of last year’s massive 75th anniversary commemoration, we interviewed...

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December 5, 2017

Cadet sets sights on China with Schwarzman Scholarship

By Maureen Welch, Dec. 5, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- An Air Force Academy cadet earned an international scholarship to study in China next year. Cadet 1st Class Benjamin Hook will study global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, courtesy of the Schwarzman scholarship. “Having taken two years of Mandarin language study at the Academy, I look forward to experiencing Chinese culture and language firsthand,” he said. Hook received the scholarship Dec. 4, the day he was also selected to attend pilot training after graduating in May. He’s the first cadet to receive the scholarship. “It’s remarkable to meet two...

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December 1, 2017

Atop a Colorado ‘14er’: Cadets save 2, find confidence

By Staff Sgt. Charlie Rivezzo, Dec. 1, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadet mountaineers encountered more than they anticipated Oct. 28 when they found themselves leading two lost hikers down Torreys Peak in near subzero temperatures and white-out conditions. Lt. Col. Robert Marshall, officer-in-charge of the Air Force Academy's Cadet Mountaineering Club, said the two disoriented men were in a "bad way." "They were woefully unprepared for the conditions," he said. "They had lost the trail and weren't sure how to get down the mountain. They had no flashlight, map, GPS rescue beacon or shelter." The mislaid hikers’...

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December 1, 2017

Face to Face: Facilitating the conversation with the hearing impaired

By Capt. Natasha Trozzolo, 10th Medical Group Audiologist, and Lt. Col. L. William Uhl, 10th Air Base Wing Inspections director, November 27, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- If you’re familiar with the popular “Charlie Brown” TV specials, you know the sound the Peanuts characters’ teacher, Ms. Othmar, makes whenever she speaks: “Wah, wah, wah-wah-wah.” Even with the help of hearing aids, people sometimes sound like Ms. Othmar to the hearing impaired. People with hearing loss often have a hard time hearing consonants and other speech sounds transmitted at high frequencies. This is typical in the Air Force, where...

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November 22, 2017

USAFA supt: ‘We have much to be thankful for’

By Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, Nov. 22, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Thanksgiving is a holiday that allows us to reflect on the positive developments of the past year and share our gratitude with those we care about. Here at USAFA, we have much to be thankful for. Together we can all take pride in the many accomplishments of our cadets and graduates, but remember that they are made possible by the everyday dedication of our diversely talented team and supportive community. The results of this collective hard work are telling. From the announcement of Rhodes Scholars to record...

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November 21, 2017

Give Thanks Spotlight: Military Families

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Nov. 21, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Note: This week we are giving thanks to military families by highlighting permanent party, cadets and family members whose families have served in the U.S. military for more than three generations. C3C Brad Ellis Great-Grandfather: Military service for the Ellis family dates back to World War I, when C3C Ellis' great-grandfather, Clarence Ellis, enlisted in the Army.  His great-grandfather finished the war fighting with the famous "Lost Brigade" and remained in France until March 1919. Grandfather: Ralph Ellis went to England as a civilian early in...

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November 20, 2017

Senior cadet selected as Academy’s 39th Rhodes scholar

By Ray Bowden and Staff Sgt. Charlie Rivezzo, Nov. 20, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A mechanical engineering major at the Air Force Academy was named an American Rhodes scholar Nov. 18 by the Rhodes Trust. Cadet 1st Class Jaspreet Singh, of Tennessee, is the Academy’s 39th cadet to receive the prominent scholarship, according to Helen Meisenhelder, director of the Academy’s Graduate Studies Program. Singh said he was “dumbstruck” when he learned he’d received the prestigious scholarship. “All the candidates were gathered in a conference room and then they called us all together and announced the winners to everybody,”...

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