Weekend of January 24th and 25th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the weekend of January 24th & 25th --  On this weekend, back in 1985 -- With Loren Shriver, Class of ’67, as the pilot, and Gary Payton, Class of ’71, as payload specialist, the Space Shuttle Discovery launches.  The mission, STS-51C, marked the first time multiple Air Force Academy graduates flew on the same mission.  It was also the first all-military mission, and the first dedicated to deploying a Department of Defense payload.  …Also on this weekend, in 2023 -- The three-day Strategy and Warfare Center Symposium begins at the Academy.  The theme of the event, held in Polaris Hall, was “The Implications of Disruptive Technologies on Future Conflict: Autonomous Systems, AI, Hypersonics, and...

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Friday, January 23rd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, January 23rd --   On this day, back in 1988 -- The U.S. Olympic ice hockey team conducts a two-hour workout at the Cadet Ice Arena.  The event was free and open to the public.  The team was preparing for the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada, in February.  …Also on this day, back in 2020 – Retired Lieutenant Colonel Roy Kessell, Class of ’70, is inducted into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame.  Created in 1991, the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame honored aviators of all types, including pilots and navigators, designers and manufacturers and airport managers.  … For more information about what’s coming up and what’s going down at...

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Thursday, January 22nd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, January 22nd --   On this day, back in 2010 -- First Lieutenant Roslyn Schulte, Class of 2006, is posthumously awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor in Washington D.C. She was the first woman to receive the award. Her parents and brother attended the event on her behalf. Lieutenant Schulte had been killed in May 2009 by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.  Also on this day, in 2013 -- Cadet Kevin Durr, Class of 2013, is drafted by the Seattle Sounders Football Club in the 2013 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft. Cadet Durr was the 16th selection of the first round. ...

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Wednesday, January 21st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, January 21st --  On this day, back in 1967 -- First Lieutenant Donald Spoon, Class of ’64, becomes a prisoner of war when his F-4C “Phantom II” aircraft is shot down during a MiG combat air patrol mission over Kep Air Field, North Vietnam. Promoted to Captain while in captivity, he would be released on March 4, 1973.  …Also on this day, back in 2021 -- The Academy hosts a panel discussion on the topic “Warrior Ethos as Airmen and Citizens.” Livestreamed to all cadets, the event was part of the Center for Character and Leadership Development’s “Continuing the Conversation” series, a precursor to...

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Tuesday, January 20th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, January 20th --  On this day, back in 1969 -- Six squadrons of cadets, the Air Force Academy Band, and the Cadet Chorale participate in the Inaugural Parade, Ceremony, and Gala for President Richard Nixon.  …Also on this day, back in 2004 -- NASA announces the 2004 inductees for the Astronaut Hall of Fame.  The class included Frederick Gregory, Class of ’64, and Richard Covey, Class of ’68.  On May 1, 2004, they would be inducted during a public ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Houston, Texas.  …for the latest video for cadets, by cadets, follow us on YouTube @ USAFAOfficial. 

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Monday, January 19th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, January 19th --  On this day, back in 1969 -- The Academy’s Allied Arts Society sponsors an Arnold Hall concert by pop band The Association.  The comedy duo of Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson opened the show.  …Also on this day, back in 2019 -- The Air Force men’s basketball team sets a program record for most points scored in a conference game with a 106-88 win over UNLV at Clune Arena.    …for the business-focused social media side of the Academy, follow us on Linkedin @ US-Air-Force-Academy 

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Weekend of January 17th and 18th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the weekend of January 17th & 18th --  On this weekend, back in 1971 -- KAFA, the Academy radio station, begins broadcasting at 6:57 p.m., under the leadership of Cadet John Severski, Class of ’71.  The station initially operated at the frequency 89.7 on the FM dial with 10 watts of power. KAFA currently broadcasts at 97.7.  …Also on this weekend, in 1998 -- The Academy team wins the first-ever Service Academy Men’s Volleyball Tournament played at the Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York.  The Falcons defeated Army in the semifinal and Navy in the final.  …all content for the Academy History Update is provided by Retired Lt Col Steve Simon, USAFA Class of ’77. For more heritage information, visit the Association of...

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Friday, January 16th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, January 16th --   On this day, back in 1986 -- The Academy hosts the 10th annual Aerospace Education Leadership Symposium.  Retired Colonel Francis Gabreski, a World War II and Korean War ace, spoke at the event.   …Also on this day, back in 2004 -- The new $6.5 million air traffic control tower construction project is completed at the Academy airfield.  The tower, centrally located between two runways, replaced the two towers that were located on opposite sides of the runway. … For more information about what’s coming up and what’s going down at the Academy, listen to our cadet radio station by picking up the free KAFA mobile app, available for Apple and Android. 

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Thursday, January 15th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, January 15th --   On this day, back in 1968 -- The Association of Graduates is incorporated as a tax-exempt Colorado non-profit corporation.  The Articles of Incorporation certificate was signed by the Colorado Secretary of State, Byron Anderson. The AOG supports the Academy’s enduring mission of forging leaders of character for the Air Force and Space Force and providing a lifetime of service to the Long Blue Line.  Also on this day, in 1995 -- Academy Concerts’ Theater Variety Series presents classical vocalist Kathleen Battle in concert.  The soprano performed in the Arnold Hall Theater.  …for a behind-the-scenes look at cadet life, follow us on Instagram at AF_Academy!

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Wednesday, January 14th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, January 14th --  On this day, back in 1965 -- The Academy implements a set of five new objectives.  They reflected changes that had occurred since 1954.  The first objective was “to develop in each cadet the ideals of duty, honor and service to country.”  …Also on this day, back in 1991 -- A grand opening is held for the Planetarium.  The facility had been closed for three months for renovations.  The project consisted of an electrical upgrade, to include air conditioning, and the installation of a new digital computer graphics projector.  …for recent photos of cadet activities, follow us on FLICKR @ AF_Academy! 

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