March 20, 2017

Wounded Warrior ‘DT’ returns to the skies, parachutes into new job

By John Van Winkle, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published February 28, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- An Air Force wounded warrior returned to the skies Feb. 18 with his first parachute jump in 11 years. Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr., the Air Force’s only 100-percent-disabled wounded warrior on active duty, added to his list of achievements by taking his 131st parachute jump with cadets and staff at the 98th Flying Training Squadron. Del Toro, widely known as “DT”, took the squadron’s basic and advanced freefall parachuting with Air Force Academy cadets. He’s a...

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March 20, 2017

A ‘Falcon Proud’ family

By Laurie Wilson, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published March 15, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Three Air Force Academy employees say supporting cadets isn’t just their job, it’s their way of life. Carey Bonnin, wife Bonnie Bonnin, and their daughter, Kim Williams, spend their work time supporting the Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character, and their time-off supporting cadets and showing their Falcon pride. U.S. Air Force Academy supporters Bonnie Bonnin (left), her granddaughter Kayla (middle), and daughter Kim Williams, were featured on a 2014 Falcons basketball season billboard on Interstate 25 near...

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March 20, 2017

Breaking Barriers! Air Force’s 70th Birthday: March achievements

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published March 17, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force celebrates its 70th birthday this year and the Air Force Academy has made many contributions to our service’s legacy and history of breaking barriers, and advancing technology and innovation.  Here are some very notable achievements that have occurred in Januaries of the past.  [smartslider3 slider=3] January Achievements Jan. 1, 1975 -- The first Cadet Wing sergeant major, Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Garrett, is succeeded by Chief Master Sgt. Edwin Bell. Jan. 1, 1959 -- Falcon Football caps an undefeated...

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March 20, 2017

NCLS keynote speaker: ‘Good leaders save lives’

By Ray Bowden, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published February 27, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Retired Army Col. Greg Gadson said he’s grateful to be alive. Gadson was the keynote speaker here at the annual National Character and Leadership Symposium, Feb. 23. “Good leaders save lives,” he said from his wheelchair on the Arnold Hall stage. Gadson lost his legs after his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Baghdad in May 2007. He was returning from a memorial service for two soldiers in his brigade. “I remember being ejected,” he said. “I remember rolling...

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March 20, 2017

McDermott Library renovations give cadets’ more study space

By Maureen Welch, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published March 10, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets have more study space now that an eight-month overhaul of McDermott Library is complete. Workers completed the third-floor facelift in February, retooling 40,000 square-feet to give cadets more space. The third floor is designed to encourage collaboration between cadets and can comfortably seat 300. Library renovations included individual study areas and improved Wi-Fi. “It’s a great new environment for study,” said Cadet 2nd Class Molly Phillips. “I think it will encourage cadets to utilize the resources in the...

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March 20, 2017

Falcons collect seven All-America Awards

By Madeline McGuire, Athletic Communications / Published March 13, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Following the 2017 NCAA Rifle Championships, the Air Force Academy rifle team received a combined seven National Rifle Association Collegiate All-Americans and College Rifle Coaches Association All-American selections this month in smallbore and air rifle. Based on their individual averages for the year, sophomore Spencer Cap, was named NRA first-team air rifle. In 2016, Cap earned honorable mention honors. Senior Ryan Jacobs, earned his second NRA second-team honor in air rifle. Sophomore Anna Weilbacher, earned NRA second-team smallbore, and freshman Logan Ogden received...

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March 20, 2017

Major TV network broadcasts cadets’ history class

By John Van Winkle, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published March 14, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets and faculty can be seen round-the-clock on a CSPAN-3 special feature documenting a history class here. The inside look at leadership lessons from the Civil War hit the national airwaves March 4 but can be seen online on demand at www.c-span.org/video/?418778-2/civil-war-fall-1864  and www.c-span.org/podcasts/#lecturesInHistory. It is also scheduled to be shown again on CSPAN-3, 8:40 p.m. (ET) March 12. CSPAN-3 reporters visited a History 339: The Civil War, taught last fall by Dr. Charles Dusch, the Air Force Academy’s...

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March 20, 2017

Spring safety: Be aware of the bears

10th Mission Support Group / Published March 16, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Spring starts March 20 and Black bears living on or near the Air Force Academy are leaving their hibernation and looking for food. If the bears found food in a trash container last year near your home or office, chances are they’ll come back. Access to food and trash makes bears comfortable around people, so close and properly latch the doors on your bear-resistant dumpster or tote-receptacles. Trash containing medicine, chemicals and plastic can kill and injure a bear. By regulation, residents in base...

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March 20, 2017

Class of ‘13 graduate dies in N.M. plane crash

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs / Published March 16, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- An Air Force Academy graduate was one of three special operators killed March 14 when their U-28A aircraft crashed near the Clovis Municipal Airport in Clovis, New Mexico, during a training mission. First Lt. Frederick Dellecker was a combat systems officer and the aircraft’s copilot. He was assigned to Cadet Squadron 13 and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor of science degree. Also killed were pilot Capt. Andrew Becker, and Capt. Kenneth Dalga, a combat systems officer. The three Airmen were assigned...

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March 20, 2017

Academy to accept DSA nominations until April 1

By Cathy Wedo, U.S. Air Force Academy graduate liaison / Published March 16, 2017.   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy will take nominations for this year’s Distinguished Service Award through April 1. The DSA was established in 1999 and is presented annually by the superintendent to a military person, civilian or group, whose contributions distinctly impacted the morale or wellbeing of the Academy. Any individual or group that has contributed significantly and directly to the morale or wellbeing of the Academy through the donation of their time, resources or influence, is eligible. The DSA recognizes...

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