September 21, 2024

Statement from U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind

We are aware of recent concerns about U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. Today, we want to assure our loyal fans and followers that we are actively engaged in evaluating all opportunities with implications for USAFA, and that any decisions on the future will be guided by the following three priority considerations: #1 – The best interests of our USAFA intercollegiate athletes and the core mission of our Academy. USAFA is home to 30 men's and women's teams, each of them exemplifying our mission. #2 - The best interests of USAFA’s hard-earned reputation and brand, and the recruiting exposure garnered through...

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September 19, 2024

Avionics NCO trades stripes for cadet education

Cadet 4th Class Caden Soper, pictured Sept. 12, 2024, received a U.S. Air Force Academy appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Program. Soper was named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 while serving as an enlisted F-15 Eagle avionics system journeyman at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Ward) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A checklist that then-Senior Airman Caden Soper wrote during his first U.S. Air Force assignment outlined the steps necessary to accomplish his long-term goal —...

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September 12, 2024

Academy instructor shapes tomorrow’s military leaders through strategic education

Bruce Beyerly, U.S. Air Force Academy Military and Strategic Studies Department instructor, poses for a photo at the Academy, Colo., Sept. 5, 2024. Beyerly brings a breadth of knowledge and expertise to his role in shaping the next generation of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the heart of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s mission to develop future strategists stands Bruce Beyerly, an instructor in the Military & Strategic...

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September 11, 2024

Academy hive has cadets looking out for them

Cadet 1st Class Sophia Leonard smiles as she examines bees from the U.S. Air Force Academy Beekeeping Club hive Aug. 28, 2024. Through the club’s interactive learning experiences, about 60 members gain and share a deep understanding of bee behavior, hive dynamics and responsible beekeeping practices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Each season offers a new priority for the U.S. Air Force Academy Beekeeping Club in their care of a hive of 60,000 Italian honeybees in the natural resources office by Falcon Stadium....

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September 5, 2024

Institute for Future Conflict: transforming cadets into tomorrow’s warfighters

A cadet monitors activity during Firstie Flag in the Multi-Domain Laboratory Feb. 10, 2024. Firstie Flag is the U.S. Air Force Academy’s culminating exercise, designed to prepare Firstie cadets for how their future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force specialty codes will factor into future conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - In early July, the Institute for Future Conflict director introduced the Class of 2028 to the current international political environment during their Basic Cadet Training. “President Xi Jinping wants the People’s...

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September 3, 2024

Critical thinking laboratory

Martinson Honors Program Director Dr. Diana Polley and Cadet 1st Class Elliott Kmetz listen to scholar conversation in the Reflecting on Wicked Problems capstone course Aug. 27, 2024. All scholar-cadets must take the course during their final year at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Martinson Honors Program cadets seek answers to difficult problems through reasoning, reflection, research, engaged communication and problem-solving. Director Dr. Diana Polley calls it a warrior-scholar’s critical thinking laboratory. “In terms of critical thinking, we...

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August 26, 2024

Red Tails: Squadron 20 name change honors heritage

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Julian Jackson, one of the driving forces behind Cadet Squadron 20’s redesignation to “Red Tails,” stands in front of memorabilia in the recently redesigned Ready Room Aug. 23, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The red tails on Allied aircraft in European skies during World War II symbolized Tuskegee Airmen crews’ commitment to overcoming all obstacles to accomplish their mission. More than 80 years later, a cadet squadron became the first at the U.S. Air Force...

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August 26, 2024

Historian reflects on Academy’s 70-year heritage

Dr. Brian Laslie stands in front of the F-4 Phantom static aircraft display on the Terrazzo. Laslie has been the U.S. Air Force Academy’s command historian since 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When Dr. Brian Laslie walks around the U.S. Air Force Academy, he admires the historic aircraft and memorials to U.S. Air Force heroes. His personal favorites are the F-4 Phantom on the Terrazzo and the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots statue on the Honor Court. Each attraction helps tell the story...

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August 22, 2024

Examining the works of C.S. Lewis: critical thinking and ethics

Cadet 2nd Class Grace Dailey displays a copy of C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man” Aug. 20, 2024. The book is one of many Dr. Adam Pelser uses to teach his “C.S. Lewis and Philosophy” course at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Twentieth-century author C.S. Lewis’s books dominate the top shelf in Dr. Adam Pelser’s office. Pelser, who was recently recognized as an Inaugural Fellow of the Inklings Project, has used Lewis’ work to teach critical thinking skills...

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August 13, 2024

Medical minor ensures cadets remain prepared for grad school

Cadet 1st Class Kayla Kirkbride conducts research in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Biology Aug. 5, 2024. In addition to her Biology major, she is also pursuing a minor in the newly available Pre-Health Professions. The minor makes cadets more competitive when pursuing a graduate program in the medical, dental, nursing, physician assistant and physical therapy tracks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Pre-Health Professions minor makes cadets more competitive for medical or dental graduate programs. The U.S. Air Force Academy...

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