May 5, 2017

From ‘dorm to swarm’: Academy cadets compete in UAS competition

By Ray Bowden/May 5, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Academy took second place to the Naval Academy at the DARPA-sponsored unmanned aerial systems Swarm Competition, April 23-25 at Camp Roberts, California. Cadets and midshipmen from the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Military Academy, and the Naval Academy, battled each other using 20 fixed-wing and 20 quad-rotor small unmanned aerial vehicles to protect a target or “flag” on the ground during two 30-minute battles. “Air Force was ahead until the final few minutes but was barely edged-out by Navy,” said Del Christman, an assistant computer science...

Continue Reading From ‘dorm to swarm’: Academy cadets compete in UAS competition

May 3, 2017

Trump presents CINC Trophy to USAFA

Staff Sgt. Jannelle McRae, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 02, 2017 The U.S. Air Force Academy football team received the Commander in Chief’s Trophy from President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House May 2, 2017. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual service academies’ football triangular series between the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. The three-sided, 170 pound, two-and-a-half-feet tall trophy was first awarded by President Richard Nixon in 1972. The Air Force Falcons claimed the award for a record-setting 20th time, following...

Continue Reading Trump presents CINC Trophy to USAFA

May 2, 2017

Cadets showcase FalconSAT program at end-of-semester review

Ray Bowden/May 2, 2017 Cadets gave an end-of-semester review on the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Satellite Program to faculty and the school’s space-community partners April 28. The FalconSAT program is the Academy’s small-satellite engineering program. Cadets design, built, test and operate satellites, guided by faculty and technical-staff as part of a year-long senior capstone design experience. The program is administered by the Academy’s Space Systems Research Center under the direction of the Astronautics Department. Col. Martin France, head of the Academy’s Astronautics Department, said the review served several purposes. “The cadets get the opportunity to hone their briefing skills in...

Continue Reading Cadets showcase FalconSAT program at end-of-semester review

May 2, 2017

USAFA Endowment: Academy Senior Jeremy Jacobellis to study at Oxford with Holaday Scholarship

Cadet 1st Class Jeremy Jacobellis will pursue two years of graduate studies at Exeter College at Oxford University in Oxford, England, as the recipient of the 2017 Holaday Scholarship. Bart Holaday ‘65, a Rhodes Scholar graduate of Exeter College, created the scholarship with his late wife, Lynn, to provide a deserving Academy cadet with the same educational opportunity he benefited from as a young man. Jacobellis is completing a double major at the U.S. Air Force Academy in foreign area studies (Africa) with a focus on political science and humanities. After he graduates in May, Jacobellis will move to Oxford...

Continue Reading USAFA Endowment: Academy Senior Jeremy Jacobellis to study at Oxford with Holaday Scholarship

April 27, 2017

USAFA superintendent to retire later in year

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/April 27, 2017 The Air Force announced April 27 that the superintendent of the Air Force Academy will retire from military service later this year. Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, a 1981 graduate of the Academy, is the first woman to lead the Academy. She's also a Rhodes scholar and command pilot with more than 3,600 hours in various aircraft. Among her Air Force assignments, she was an aide to two presidents at the White House, and, at the Pentagon, the Air Force’s Director of Public Affairs and later Deputy Director for Information and Cyberspace Policy...

Continue Reading USAFA superintendent to retire later in year

April 27, 2017

Wings of Blue defeats Black Knights

Michelle Eberheart/April 27, 2017 The Air Force Academy Wings of Blue defeated the West Point Black Knights during the fourth annual Inter Service Academy Meet April 14-16 at the Military Academy, New York. Wings of Blue parachutists won two of the three categories, the six-way speed formation and four-way competition, while Black Knights’ Tristan Tarpey came in first for sport accuracy competition. Academy’s Chandley Beachy came in second for the accuracy competition followed by Black Knight’s Drew Cochran. “It’s always good to win any competition, especially against the Army,” said Andrew Honigbaum, Wings of Blue coach. “Most important part of...

Continue Reading Wings of Blue defeats Black Knights

April 25, 2017

Ethical conversations: CCLD hosts war workshop

By Julie Imada/April 25, 2017 Modern warfare experts met with about 40 cadets April 24 at the U.S. Air Force Academy to talk about ethics in war. Retired Gen. C. Robert Kehler, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command, was one of four keynote speakers. He said ethics, technology and morality deserve significant consideration during war. "These are the most critical issues of war and peace we have to address," he said. “Addressing them in a forum to include our newest leaders and more experienced leaders really helps us with an exchange of ideas.” The Academy Ethics, Technology and War Workshop...

Continue Reading Ethical conversations: CCLD hosts war workshop

April 24, 2017

Astronautics Department to retire ‘workhorse’ satellite

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/April 24, 2017 The Astronautics Department here is scheduled to transfer control of its longest-running satellite to amateur radio operators. FalconSAT-3, built by cadets and faculty at the Astronautics Department, launched into space in March 2007 atop an Atlas V rocket for a one-year scientific mission. “FalconSAT-3 has an amazing history,” said Maj. Anna Gunn-Golkin, astronautics instructor. “It’s been an Air Force science and training workhorse for 10 years. FalconSAT-3’s science mission continued well past its design lifetime and, since it's still flying high after its primary mission was completed, the Air Force Academy has...

Continue Reading Astronautics Department to retire ‘workhorse’ satellite

April 24, 2017

Space pioneers visit Prep School cadet candidates April 18

  Ray Bowden/April 24, 2017 Astronauts Susan Helms and Gary Payton gave Prep School students here a look into space April 18. Viewing the Earth from space is “humbling,” they said during their hour-long chat with cadet-candidates at the Community Center Theater. “I was surprised to see the Earth was white and blue, not green and blue like in the movies,” said Helms, a retired lieutenant general. “It’s absolutely stunning.” Payton, a retired colonel, said movies and photos of the Earth from space will never do the sight justice. “The Earth is gorgeous, a deep dark blue,” he said. From...

Continue Reading Space pioneers visit Prep School cadet candidates April 18

April 20, 2017

Former USAFA exchange student ‘flies over’ Academy

  By U.S. Air Force Public Affairs/April 20, 2017 Just after 11:30 a.m. April 19, French air force Maj. Nicolas Lieumont was flying with his Patrouille France team above Colorado Springs and about to enter the Air Force Academy airspace. The former Academy exchange student said he can’t help but feel nostalgia upon seeing the familiar scenery of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and the Academy again. “We are here to (celebrate) this brotherhood between our countries,” Lieumont said. “We don’t fight together because we are told to do so or because we receive orders. We fight together because...

Continue Reading Former USAFA exchange student ‘flies over’ Academy