May 30, 2017

Oldest living USAFA grad checks-off bucket list with Thunderbirds flight

Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes/May 30, 2017 The oldest-living Air Force Academy graduate checked-off his No. 1 bucket-list wish May 22: to fly with the Air Force Thunderbirds. Retired Maj. Paul Lasen, 83, is a 1959 Academy graduate and career pilot who still flies today. By all accounts, he felt right at home in the backseat of a Thunderbird's F-16D Fighting Falcon aircraft when the team took-off over Colorado Springs to prepare for their May 24 graduation day performance over Falcon Stadium. “It’s an honor and privilege I never thought would be coming my way,” Lasen said. “I just hope...

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May 26, 2017

Academy teams-up with NASCAR for summer internship

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 26, 2017 Two engineering majors at the Air Force Academy will get in high gear this summer with NASCAR. Cadets 2nd Class Alexander Hill and Karl Sapper are scheduled to join Richard Petty Motorsports in Mooresville, North Carolina, for a six-week summer internship and use their talents to improve the company’s race-car performance Sapper said he’ll apply modeling and software used on Air Force aircraft to improve the structural design of the car. He’ll research braking capabilities and analyzing critical dampening which measures spring and shock changes. “I'm most excited to have the chance...

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May 26, 2017

Dozens of Class of ’17 grads bound for grad school

Maureen Welch/May 27, 2017 Dozens of U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2017 graduates are slated to return to the classroom now that they've graduated. Ninety-three graduates are scheduled for grad school after receiving bachelor degrees and commissions as second lieutenants at the May 24 graduation ceremony in Falcon Stadium. Dr. Helen Meisenhelder, director of graduate studies at the Academy, said grads bound for grad school attend the Air Force Institute of Technology, or civilian universities to include MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Georgetown and Harvard. Twenty-seven Class of 2017 grads received full-scholarships and eight grads received partially funded scholarships to...

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May 26, 2017

Welcome to the Long Blue Line, Class of ’17

By William "T" Thompson, President and CEO, U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates / May 26, 2017 On behalf of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, I extend my wholehearted congratulations to the Academy's Class of 2017 and welcome you as the newest members of the Long Blue Line. The achievement of assuming your place in that Long Blue Line should not be taken lightly. You have invested four demanding years of your life to reach this milestone, and now you are well prepared to serve your country with great distinction. Your classmates, and the Academy graduates...

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May 25, 2017

Gen. Dunford to Class of ‘17 grads: ‘It’s time to lead’

By Ray Bowden/May 24, 2017 The U.S. military’s senior officer welcomed nearly 1,000 new second lieutenants into the officer corps May 24 during the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2017 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford encouraged the new officers to be flexible, team-oriented leaders who embody courage, honor, commitment, loyalty and selflessness. “These are the intangible characteristics of leadership,” he said. Dunford looked directly at the 979 graduates seated nearby and said they will be judged as officers by their organization’s success. “You are at a critical inflection point...

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May 23, 2017

979 cadets to graduate May 24

  U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 23, 2017 Nearly 1,000 cadets will receive bachelor degrees and commissions as second lieutenants May 24. In all, 979 cadets are slated to graduate with the Class of 2017. All service academy graduates entering active duty incur a five-year service commitment and an additional concurrent service commitment, depending on the type of training or scholarships they’ll receive, according to U.S. Code. For example, graduating cadets slated to attend pilot training incur an active duty service commitment of 10 years after earning their pilot wings. After completing their training, combat system navigators and remotely...

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May 22, 2017

28th commandant of cadets assumes command of Cadet Wing

  Maureen Welch/May 22, 2017 Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin took charge of the Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 15 when Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson handed her the CW’s guidon during an assumption of command ceremony. As commandant, Goodwin now commands a 4,000-member cadet wing, as well as a staff of more than 200 Airmen and civilians who manage cadet character and leadership development, military training, logistics and facilities and daily activities. Goodwin, a 1993 Academy graduate, spoke to the Cadet Wing, senior leaders, Academy faculty and staff, visiting dignitaries and graduates, about the lessons she’s...

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May 22, 2017

Graduation Week Update: Air Force Thunderbirds schedule practice, performance

        U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 22, 2017 The Air Force's air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, are scheduled to perform May 24 at the end of the graduation ceremony for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2017. The Thunderbirds will practice their full performance 11 a.m.-noon, May 23, over Falcon Stadium, weather allowing. The team's graduation day performance start-time depends on the timing with the end-of-ceremony hat toss, but is expected to take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. The performance will last approximately 30 minutes. Some roads at the Academy will be closed for safety during...

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May 19, 2017

New commandant of cadets reports for duty: Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin says leadership development, innovation will be her focus

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 19, 2017 When you chat with Brigadier General Kristin Goodwin, you get a sense that something exciting is about to happen. She leans forward in her chair with a smile in her eyes when she talks about the things that excite her … like the Air Force Academy, Airmen, and the Air Force. And this Airman is passionate about continuing the Academy’s quest for innovation and developing forward-thinking leaders as the Commandant of Cadets. “I’m excited, humbled, and honored to be back at my alma mater, an alma mater I love and am very...

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May 19, 2017

Academy to host graduation parade May 23

  U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 19, 2017 The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2017 Graduation Parade is May 23 at Stillman Parade Field. Parade events begin at 7:25 a.m. when Wings of Blue are scheduled to jump into Stillman Field. Then the full Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, from Washington D.C., will showcase a complete drill performance. Cadet aerial capabilities demonstration, along with Cadet Falconry Team and the Saber Drill Team, are scheduled to perform. This will be the last parade for the Class of 2017 as they turn over command of the Cadet Wing to...

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