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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November 20, 2017

U.S. Air Force Academy Band To Perform Holly & Ivy Concerts In December

Interview by Marsha Barancik, Nov. 20, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Next month’s 63rd annual Holly & Ivy concert series recasts traditional holiday favorites in separate shows across Colorado. Lt Col Daniel Price, Commander and Conductor of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, shares how the power of music reinforces the Air Force’s mission. MB: What is unique about this year’s Holly & Ivy concerts? Price: This year we’re tracing the history of the celebration of the holidays in popular culture — including a Broadway adaption of Charles Dickens’ 1843 “A Christmas Carol” and selections from the “Nutcracker...

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November 17, 2017

USAFA ‘belongs to enlisted Airmen too,’ says command chief

By Laurie Wilson, Nov. 17, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The top NCO at the Air Force Academy said he’s on a mission today to promote the skills of enlisted Airmen. To that end, Chief Master Sgt. Rob Boyer, Academy command chief, said he’s discussed the importance of the school’s enlisted Airmen with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright, and command chiefs at the service’s major commands. “It’s important the Air Force’s enlisted Airmen know what kind of officers and leaders Academy NCOs develop here every day,” he said. “I’ve taken it as a personal mission...

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November 16, 2017

Air Force Academy cadets continue to support Colorado Springs

By Maureen Welch, Nov. 16, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets from the Air Force Academy will be out in full force Nov. 17-19 supporting several community service projects across the Front Range. This school year, cadets have volunteered more than 13,000 hours to more than 70 community service organizations in the Colorado Springs area. “In the month of October, the Cadet Wing completed 46 different volunteer events with 30 local partner organizations,” said Cadet 1st Class Hannah Rogers. This weekend, the cadets will lend their efforts to Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Fort Carson’s Warrior Transition Battalion and...

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November 15, 2017

Cadets work to improve ‘Warthog’ technology

By Ray Bowden, Nov. 15, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY -- Want to increase aircraft capabilities and blow more things up? If you’re an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, you might just be in luck today. Cadets 1st Class Jon Clegg and John Potthoff, aided by Dr. Thomas Yechout, their aeronautics professor, said they developed a tag-team attitude while working together to research decreasing maintenance requirements and increase munitions capability for the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. Nicknamed the “Warthog,” the Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft flown by the U.S. military since 1972. “We’re working together to...

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November 14, 2017

Air Force leaders convene at Academy for Corona

  By Ray Bowden, Nov. 14, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Top Air Force officials got a chance to talk policy outside the Pentagon Oct. 30-Nov. 3 at the Air Force Academy. The annual Corona meeting gives service leaders, including the secretary, chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force, the chance to plot the future of the Air Force. The hot topics included the future of aviation, space operations and cyber security. "It's an honor our senior leaders hold this event here each year," said Col. David Harris, the Academy’s vice superintendent. "The strategic conversations...

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