United States Air Force Academy

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Air Force Academy in winter
U.S. Air Force Academy – (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Trevor Cokley)
Around the Terrazzo: Winter Highlights From the Academy

As the United States Air Force Academy forges full-speed ahead into the spring semester, cadets, faculty, military leaders, corporate executives, and guests convened for the National Character and Leadership Symposium, the institution’s flagship event for character and leadership. This year’s theme was Ethics and Respect for Human Dignity which focused on helping leaders of character comprehend moral knowledge and ethical alternatives, respect the dignity of all persons they encounter, and use ethical judgment in decision making.

On December 7, the Superintendent and research department celebrated new laboratory upgrades. The upgrades are part of a larger 2022 initiative to prepare cadets for future conflict. The engineering flight simulators replicate sorties of a variety of aircraft and will help cadets develop the skillsets to design and create the next-generation aviation platforms. The Academy’s flying programs made Airways Magazine’s “Top 10 Colleges with Aviation Programs” report this year.

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NCLS... THAT’S A WRAP!

Speakers at this year’s National Character and Leadership Symposium shared their experiences with overcoming bias and promoting inclusivity as well as the character and leadership implications of making ethical decisions. Among the distinguished group of guest speakers were General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Dr. Ben Carson, Simon Sinek, and George Takei.

NCLS VIDEOS

LAB UPGRADES

The Superintendent and cadets celebrated the installment of cutting-edge flight simulators and a combustion shock tube, propelling the advancement of hands-on research. The $2.2 million simulators will be critical to aircraft design and testing for both introductory and capstone courses, while the $1 million shock tube will further engine design innovations.

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SPACE DEVELOPMENTS

The Director of the Academy’s Space Physics and Atmospherics Research Center, Dr. Geoff McHarg, describes exciting new research by cadets being conducted with the Falcon Neuro payload. Launched earlier this year onto the International Space Station, Falcon Neuro includes a neuromorphic camera setup, well-suited for capturing space objects traveling at high speeds.

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WINTER GRADUATION

The Superintendent, along with the Dean of Faculty, presented new graduates to their friends and family during the Academy’s 2021 Winter Graduation ceremony. The Class of 2021 proudly commissioned six 2nd Lieutenants into the Air Force, and one 2nd Lieutenant into the Space Force.

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WARRIOR SCHOLARS

The Academy is redefining the education and training of warrior scholars for future conflict. Recent curriculum advancements include the addition of five new warfighting minors and two new academic majors. Innovation continues to be fueled through a robust research program and new facilities. The Academy is the #1 funded undergraduate research institution in the United States.

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AIR FORCE BEATS ARMY

In sports news, the Falcons showed off their Air Power Legacy Series uniforms against Army, honoring Operation Linebacker II and the B-52 aircraft. Cadet-athlete Nate Horn of the Air Force hockey team scored a goal in overtime to beat the Black Nights 3-2 on January 29. Check out the game winner below.

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