June 29, 2017

‘Eager to get things started’: Nearly 1,200 report to Basic Cadet Training June 29

By Ray Bowden/June 29, 2017 The first physical steps nearly 1,200 young men and women took toward becoming cadets and, ultimately Air Force officers, occurred June 29 on the curved, tree-lined sidewalk outside Doolittle Hall. In all, 1,198 basic cadets admitted to the Academy were scheduled to arrive to begin Basic Cadet Training, a six-week mental and physical training program here. To become a cadet, they must graduate BCT, a rite of passage for uniformed service members and service academy cadets. By 7 a.m., the line grew into the hundreds. By noon, the last group had been fielded through several...

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June 28, 2017

Academy water is cleared to drink, says report

By Ray Bowden/June 28, 2017 The water at the Air Force Academy is safe to drink, according to the base’s annual Drinking Water Quality Report, released June 22. The Air Force Academy 2017 Drinking Water Quality Report indicates the base’s processes for ensuring its population has access to safe drinking water is sound, said Master Sgt. Keith Sue, the 10th Medical Group’s NCO in-charge of environmental health. “The final outcome of the report is that our water is good,” Sue said. “There is no health risk associated with our drinking water.” The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulates...

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June 26, 2017

Class of ’21 to arrive June 29

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/June 26, 2017 The next class of Academy cadets arrives June 29 to in-process and begin Basic Cadet Training, their initial indoctrination into military service. More than 1,200 members of the Academy’s Class of 2021 will report to the Academy starting at 7 a.m.. Among other activities, they will receive uniforms and haircuts, and be assigned to their training squadrons. At 7:30 a.m. Friday, the trainees will form up on the terrazzo and take the Cadet Oath of Allegiance. Basic cadet training runs starts June 29 and ends Aug. 8 and includes uniform and dorm...

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June 26, 2017

5 years on: Waldo Canyon fire anniversary ignites memories

By Laurie Wilson, June 26, 2017 The Waldo Canyon fire that barreled into Colorado Springs and threatened the U.S. Air Force Academy June 26, 2012, is burned in the memory of anyone who saw, fought or was affected by it. The fire, the result of a perfect storm of extended drought, sweltering heat and extremely high winds, burned 18,000 acres, killed two people, leveled 347 civilian homes, and threatened to destroy Pine Valley housing, including the horse stables and historic Otis House among other structures. Making sure that didn’t happen was the sole intention of Ken Helgerson, 10th Civil Engineer...

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June 23, 2017

Academy rolls out annual Operation Air Force program

By Maureen Welch/July 23, 2017 Scores of cadets are traveling this summer to 61 military bases across the globe as part of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Operation Air Force program. Capt. Christopher Thomas, program scheduler, said the program exposes cadets to different Air Force specialties and how officers and NCOs collaborate. “The program gives cadets a better understanding of the company grade and NCO expectations,” he said. Each trip is scheduled to last two weeks and cadets spend at least 30 hours observing active duty Airmen tackle their responsibilities. Cadet 1st Class Christopher Mahoney said his time at Peterson...

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June 22, 2017

Col. David Kincaid takes over 10th MSG

Col. David Kincaid takes over the 10th Missions Support Group.  By Laurie Wilson, June 22, 2017 The 10th Mission Support Group welcomed new commander, Col. David Kincaid with a change of command ceremony June 22 at the 10th Air Base Wing headquarters building. As commander, Kincaid leads more than 1,900 personnel charged with law enforcement, civil engineering, communications, logistics and other base support functions at the Air Force Academy. He’s directly responsible for a $3.5 billion infrastructure used by more than 14,000 military and civilian personnel. Kincaid, a 1992 Academy graduate, previously served as the school’s director of Strategic Plans,...

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June 22, 2017

10th SFS gets full-time Reserve commander

by Laurie Wilson, June 22, 2017 The new top cop at the U.S. Air Force Academy took command of the 10th Security Forces Squadron June 21. Lt. Col. Marcus Corbett will be the first Reserve officer to command the 10th Security Forces Squadron full-time. He's also the first Reserve officer in Air Force history to command a security forces squadron. He said he looks forward to protecting an installation that hosts hundreds of high-level annual events, including cadet graduation ceremonies, Parent’s Weekend and Falcon football games. “The challenge is conducting these events in an efficient process while protecting the assets...

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June 12, 2017

Cadets perform on America’s Got Talent

Maureen Welch, June 12, 2017 In the Stairwell, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s all-male a cappella singing group, performed on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, June 13. Show producers saw the group’s fall YouTube broadcast and contacted the Academy. Their video was shown to America’s Got Talent producers, who picked their favorites and showcased them to NBC executives,” said Lt. Col. Kris Conde, Air Force entertainment liaison. NBC invited the 16 singers to Los Angeles to perform in front of judge Simon Cowell. “NBC unanimously loved the singing group,” said producer Nigel Caaro. Freshmen cadets formed the group in 2004 to...

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June 8, 2017

Academy grad selected for NASA astronaut training

  412th Test Wing Public Affairs / June 07, 2017 Lt. Col. Raja Chari has been selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. Chari relinquished command of the 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California, June 9, where he oversaw developmental testing of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the past few years. Simultaneously, he served as director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. Chari will leave Edwards with a selection for promotion to colonel. He has flown more than 2,000 hours in the F-36 Lightning II, the F-15 Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting...

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June 8, 2017

An educational milestone: 38 Airmen earn CCAF degrees

Laurie Wilson, June 8, 2017 A score of enlisted Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Academy proved higher education isn’t just for cadets when they received their Community College of the Air Force degrees June 6. In all, 38 Airmen received CCAFs diplomas or professional certificates at the graduation ceremony in Polaris Hall. Twenty-four earned Associates of Applied Science degrees in one of five career areas, and 14 earned professional manager certificates. “It gives me such a sense of accomplishment,” said Senior Airman Kayla-Rae Ross, 10th Medical Support Squadron. “My CCAF degrees are stepping stones to my bachelor’s degree in...

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