April 20, 2026

Spring Culminating Exercise Tests Cadet Warfighter Skills

Cadets transport a manikin patient after assessing and treating its injuries during the Superintendent’s Challenge as part of the Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 18, 2026. Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the CULEX, a rigorous and realistic military training exercise, to develop into combat-ready, future Air Force and Space Force leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) April 15-18, 2026. The...

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April 9, 2026

Cadet Military Education Training streamlines four-class development

Cadet 2nd Class Sophie Kent, left, mentors Cadet 3rd Class Charles Arquette in the Multi-Domain Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 14, 2026. The Cadet Military Education Training Plan requires cadets to mentor underclassmen as part of their leadership development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Harry Lundy U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets progress through a structured four-class system throughout their 47-month journey. This development is supported by updated training under the Cadet Military Education and Training Plan. Permanent party and...

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April 9, 2026

Colonel Tellez to Succeed Brigadier General Marks as Commandant, Reinforcing Warfighter Focus at the Academy

Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, left, and Col. Brandon J. Tellez, right. Tellez has been assigned as the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 32nd commandant of cadets, succeeding Marks. (U.S. Air Force photos). U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - In preparation for a change of command ceremony next month, Col. Brandon J. Tellez, Class of ’01, has been assigned as the Academy’s 32nd Commandant of Cadets, succeeding Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, who will retire this summer after a distinguished Air Force career. Col. Tellez is currently serving as Senior Executive Officer to the Air...

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April 1, 2026

Historic ceremony marks 306th FTG realignment to USAFA

Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Vaage, 98th Flying Training Squadron commander, swaps an Air Education and Training Command patch for a U.S. Air Force Academy one during a ceremony on Davis Airfield here April 1, 2026. The patching ceremony marked the historic realignment of the 306th Flying Training Squadron, of which the 98th FTS is a part, from AETC to the Academy headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Suni) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A patching ceremony was held April 1 at Davis Airfield here to commemorate the historic realignment of the 306th...

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March 30, 2026

Cadets focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Cadet 1st Class Lauren Mirande, left, and Cadet 2nd Class Abigail Anderson, right, learn about volcanic rock types in the Geospatial Science Laboratory, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 19, 2026. Mirande and Anderson are learning to interpret and analyze data for future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Harry Lundy U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The U.S. Air Force Academy is a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics institution, frequently ranked among the nation’s top STEM programs. Cadets develop analytical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills to operate...

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March 30, 2026

From enlisted service to commission: a cadet’s path to leadership

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield poses for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in this 2018 image. Canfield, now a Cadet 1st Class, earned her appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development (LEAD) program. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Canfield) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - For Cadet 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield, the path to becoming an Air Force officer did not begin with a lifelong plan to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. Instead, it began with a television show, a close friend and a willingness to step into...

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March 24, 2026

Cadets develop critical thinking skills during engineering lab

Cadets view a force vs. displacement graph during a Mechanical Engineering 220 class at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 18, 2026. During the lab, cadets test, graph, and analyze data to determine if a metal alloy is suitable for a specific design application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By TSgt Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy are honing their critical thinking skills in core classes like Mechanical Engineering 220: Fundamentals of Mechanics. Throughout the semester, cadets in the Academy’s...

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March 17, 2026

Brig. Gen. Valpiani Assumes Command as Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty

Chief Master Sgt. Micheal Dederich (left to right), Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Col. Steven C. M. Hasstedt, and Brig. Gen. James M. Valpiani stand at attention during the playing of the The Star-Spangled Banner at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s dean of the faculty change of command, here March 16, 2025. During the ceremony Brig. Gen. Valpiani became the Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty after taking command from Col. Hasstedt. Photo by Trevor Cokely. U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Brig. Gen. James M. Valpiani became the Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty during a ceremony in Fairchild Hall,...

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March 9, 2026

New Squadron Sharpens Cadet Warfighting Skills

Cadet 1st Class Dominic Senft participates in the Fall Validation Exercise (VALEX) at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Oct. 10, 2025. Training events like VALEX develop cadets’ warfighter skills and are part of the hands-on training the 34th Training Support Squadron (TRSS) supports across the Cadet Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A new squadron has been activated at the U.S. Air Force Academy to better prepare cadets for the complexities of modern warfare. The 34th Training Support Squadron (TRSS), activated on Feb. 23, 2026, will strengthen the Academy's officer-development mission...

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March 5, 2026

Silver weekend training builds cadet warfighting skills and leadership

Cadets participate in small-unit tactics scenarios as the Cadet Wing conducts silver weekend Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, Feb. 6, 2026. The training reinforced military fundamentals and cadet-led competencies, including simulated weapons handling, land navigation, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and mission planning. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By SSgt Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Silver weekend training is a multi-day cadet-led, wing-directed military training event that engages thousands of cadets across the Cadet Wing simultaneously. It is designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and...

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