Weekend of August 2nd and 3rd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the weekend of August 2nd & August 3rd  On this weekend, back in 1991 — Space shuttle mission STS-43 begins, with John Blaha, Class of ’65, serving as commander of the orbiter Atlantis.  …Also on this weekend, back in 2012 — The Association of Graduates’ Board of Directors names Janet Edwards an Honorary Member.  Ms. Edwards had been the Academy’s Mortuary Affairs Officer since 1992.  Honorary membership is awarded to persons who have rendered outstanding service to the Air Force and/or the Academy.  Membership is limited to 25 living persons.  …all...

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Friday, August 1st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, August 1st --  On this day, back in 1876 — President Ulysses Grant signs Proclamation 230, making the Academy’s future home state of Colorado the 38th state in the union.  Statehood came exactly 100 years and 27 days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which led to Colorado adopting “The Centennial State” as its official nickname.  August 1st is celebrated as “Colorado Day.”  …Also on this day, back in 2000 — Major General John Dallager, Class of ’69, pins on his third star.  He had become the Academy’s...

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Thursday, July 31st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, July 31st  On this day, back in 1965 -- First Lieutenant Donald Watson, Class of ’62, is killed when his F-100D "Super Sabre" aircraft crashes while attacking a Viet Cong headquarters north of Saigon.  His name appears on the Graduate War Memorial on the Academy Terrazzo.  ...also on this day, back in 2019 -- Approximately 200 Academy graduates accompany members of the Class of ’23 and their cadre on their march back to the Cadet Area from Jacks Valley.  It was the first march back in which graduates participated. ...

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Wednesday, July 30th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, July, 30th  On this day, back in 1969 -- Captain Keith Nylander, Class of ’87, dies when his F-16 “Fighting Falcon” crashes during a night training mission near the Utah Test and Training Range.  …Also on this day, back in 2023 -- The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously approves Retired General Mark Welsh III, Class of ’76, as the interim president of Texas A&M University.  Chancellor John Sharp had named Welsh as the acting president of the university on July 21st.  …for recent photos of cadet...

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Tuesday, July 29th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, July 29th--  On this day, back in 1958 --  President Dwight Eisenhower signs the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The organization would formally open for business on October 1, 1958.  Air Force Academy graduates would play key roles in NASA activities, including service as astronauts.  …Also on this day, back in 2004 -- The Academy and the Association of Graduates begin co-hosting a three-day Graduate Leadership Conference.  Nearly 200 graduates, military and civilian, returned to the Academy to interact with...

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Monday, July 28th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, July 28th--  On this day, back in 2015 - The Mountain West Conference names Second Lieutenant Rebecca Esselstein, Class of ‘15, as its Student Athlete of the Year for the 2014-2015 season.  She was the first Air Force track and field and cross country athlete to earn the conference award.  …Also on this day, back in 2023 -- The three-day Long Blue Line Weekend begins.  More than 200 graduates and their family members returned to the Academy to participate in events to include the Jacks Valley Grad March Back. ...

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Weekend of July 26th and 27th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the weekend of Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27  On this weekend, back in 1962 — Six Academy cadets begin a 15-day stay in the crew compartment of a simulated space vehicle. While performing tasks like those expected in actual space travel, they demonstrated that astronauts could work effectively as a team during extended missions.  …Also on this weekend, back in 1978 — The Academy hosts the first National Sports Festival, sponsored by the U.S. Olympic Committee. More than 1,200 of the nation’s top athletes compete in the event. ...

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Friday, July 25th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, July 25 -  On this day, back in 1966 — For the first time, basic cadets march to Jacks Valley as part of basic cadet training. Members of the Class of ’70 completed the 4½-mile trek to the site, where they received training in individual combat techniques, outpost duties, day and night patrols, fire and movement, individual firing positions, and first aid. The training area was named after Cleo and Zelda Jack, who had owned the 480-acre ranch since 1942.  …Also on this day, back in 1979 — The...

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Thursday, July 24th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, July 24 -  On this day, back in 2001 — The Academy announces its intention to return powered flight training to the Air Force Academy. At the time, Introductory Flight Training was being conducted by civilian flight schools in the local area. The in-house program was projected to begin in the summer of 2002. …Also on this day, back in 2008 — Comedian Carlos Mencia visits the Academy airfield during a USO tour stop in Colorado Springs.  …for the business-focused social media side of the Academy, follow us on...

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Wednesday, July 23rd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, July 23 -  On this day, back in 1991 — John Matchefts, Academy ice hockey coach from 1974 to 1985, is named a 1991 inductee into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota. Matchefts had previously starred as a player at the University of Michigan, where he played under Vic Heylinger, the Academy’s first ice hockey coach.  …Also on this day, back in 2018 — At 6 a.m., the Academy radio station KAFA begins broadcasting from its new studios in Fairchild Hall. The station relocated from...

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