July 11, 2017

10th SFS Defenders deescalate situation downrange

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs A lot of people have seen the exciting world of combat arms training or the cute, but capable, military working dogs, but most are not familiar with the rough—and sometimes intense—duties of Air Force defenders in Afghanistan. These Airmen stand watch for more than 12 hours per day, in 115-degree heat, ensuring unauthorized individuals do not gain access to the installation and cause harm to personnel and assets. The decisions security forces Airmen make could potentially have huge ramifications, both internally and internationally. Airmen 1st Class Drew and Giovanni, who...

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July 6, 2017

USAFA cadets train for future at 386 AEW

By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / July 05, 2017 This year, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted approximately twenty cadets as part of the Air Force Academy’s Operation Air Force program. While the majority of cadets are visiting various state-side installations, a small number of cadets had the opportunity to deploy throughout Southwest Asia for their summer program. “The main purpose of this experience is for the cadets to see what it is like to deploy,” said Capt. Alex Hollenbeck, an Air Force Academy instructor. “It gives them a jumpstart, knowing what people have...

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July 5, 2017

2004 grad makes 2018 Thunderbirds list

  U.S. Thunderbirds Public Affairs, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada/July 3, 2017 A 2004 Air Force Academy graduate has been selected to join the Thunderbirds next year. Maj. Eric Gorney, a 2004 Academy graduate, is assigned to the 613th Air Operations Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He’s slated to fly as Thunderbird No. 7, the team’s operations officer. His duties with the Air Force aerial demonstration team will include airspace coordination, ground communication with the pilots in the air and safety observation. Gorney will replace Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, a 2002 Academy graduate. The other officers selected are...

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June 30, 2017

Former enlisted Airman takes command of 10th Air Base Wing

By Laurie Wilson/June 30, 2017 Col. Shawn Campbell took command of the 10th Air Base Wing, the support wing for the Air Force Academy, June 20. As commander, he’s responsible for the installation’s support services, including security, civil engineering, communications, logistics, finance, contracting, chaplaincy, lodging, medical, military and civilian personnel and force support programs, for more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel plus the school’s 4,000 cadets. He’s the caretaker of the Academy’s $3.5 billion infrastructure. Campbell arrived at the Academy with his wife Beth, daughter Taylor, 18, and son Carter, 15. “To command in such a unique situation is...

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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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