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...

Continue Reading Academy rolls out annual Operation Air Force program

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,...

Continue Reading Col. David Kincaid takes over 10th MSG

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...

Continue Reading 10th SFS gets full-time Reserve commander

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...

Continue Reading Cadets perform on America’s Got Talent

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...

Continue Reading Academy grad selected for NASA astronaut training

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...

Continue Reading An educational milestone: 38 Airmen earn CCAF degrees

June 2, 2017

Prep School graduates 194 cadet-candidates

Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes/June 2, 2017 One-hundred-ninety-four cadet-candidates graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School during a ceremony May 18. Of those graduates, 186 received appointments to the Academy. The cadet-candidates completed the school’s 10-month curriculum, designed to prepare them to succeed and lead at the Air Force Academy. As part of the curriculum, the prep school emphasized learning in academics, military training, athletics and character development. “I am so very proud of you,” said Col. Jacqueline Breeden, Preparatory School commander, as she addressed the graduates. “Congratulations. Safe travels on your journey and aim high.” The colonel...

Continue Reading Prep School graduates 194 cadet-candidates

May 31, 2017

Congrats, Class of ’17!

By Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, Dean of the Faculty In June 2012, 1,190 young men and women took the first steps of the journey to join the Long Blue Line. May 24 marked a pivot point in their journey as the Air Force proudly accepted 979 new second lieutenants into its ranks. To all the families, friends and mentors of our graduates, thank you! Your support and encouragement throughout the last four years has played a significant role in their success. We appreciate all you have done, and will continue to do, to contribute to their success as they go...

Continue Reading Congrats, Class of ’17!

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...

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

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...

Continue Reading Academy teams-up with NASCAR for summer internship