Friday, July 11th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, July 11th --   On this day, back in 1998 - First Lieutenant Michael Blassie, Class of ’70, is buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri.  He was killed on May 11, 1972 when his A-37B ‘Dragon Fly’ aircraft was shot down over An Loc City, South Vietnam.  He was the Vietnam Unknown in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery from 1984 until 1998.  Also on this day, back in 2021 -- A Virgin Galactic craft makes a rocket-powered flight to the fringe of space...

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Thursday, July 10th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, July 10th --  On this day, back in 1952 -- The 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, previously based at Pope Field, North Carolina, reactivated in Germany after its April 1st, 1949 inactivation. Many of its assigned units came from France.  On July 20th, 1959, the unit moved to RAF Alconbury in Great Britain.  In 1994, the Air Force reactivated the wing once more -- this time at the Air Force Academy.  …Also on this day, back in 2002 -- To support a major renovation of the High Country Inn airman’s dining...

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Wednesday, July 9th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, July, 9th --  On this day, back in 1955 -- The Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, makes its first Air Force Academy-related flight, at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.  The team also flew the next day at the Pikes Peak Air Rodeo, and on 11 July 1955 at the Academy dedication ceremony.  …Also on this day, back in 2010 -- Brigadier General Richard Clark, Class of ’86, assumes command of the Commandant of Cadets.  He would later earn the rank of Lieutenant General and serve as Academy Superintendent...

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Tuesday, July 8th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, July 8th --  On this day, back in 1963 -- Former President Dwight Eisenhower personally dedicates the Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Course’s Blue Course by hitting a tee shot off the Number 1 tee.  The driver used by President Eisenhower was displayed in the Eisenhower Room of the clubhouse.  …Also on this day, back in 2000 -- Astronaut (and retired Air Force Colonel) Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin signs copies of his book, “Buzz Aldrin: The Return,” at the Academy Base Exchange.  In 1955 and ‘56, then-First Lieutenant Aldrin had been a member...

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Monday, July 7th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, July 7th-  On this day, back in 1987 - The Academy receives an Award of Honor from the South Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for “continued excellence in design and architecture in the Pikes Peak region.”  …Also on this day, back in 2006 -- Air Force men’s gymnastics coach Kip Simons is inducted into the Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame.  He was a four-time All-Big Ten honoree and conference champion, and two-time All-American.  He represented the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. ...

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Weekend of July 5th and 6th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of July 5th and 6th -  On this day, back in 1957 -- The Class of ’61, with 314 appointees, begins in-processing at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.  …Also this weekend back in 2023 -- Colonel Amy Glisson, Class of ’01, assumes command of the 10th Air Base Wing, succeeding Colonel Christopher Leonard, Class of ‘97.  The Superintendent, Lieutenant General Richard Clark, Class of ’86, presided over the ceremony at the 10th Air Base Wing Headquarters.  …all content for the Academy History Update is provided by Retired Lt...

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Friday, July 4th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, July 4th- Happy Independence Day!!  On this day, back in 1993 - The Academy commemorates the 20th anniversary of the release of the POWs from Vietnam.  Retired Colonel George “Bud” Day, exemplar for the Academy Class of ‘17, participated in the activities, as did the parents of Captain Lance Sijan, Class of ’76.  Also on this day, back in 2006 - The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Steven Lindsey, Class of ’82, commemorated Independence Day by serving as commander of mission STS-121,...

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Thursday, July 3rd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, July 3rd  On this day, back in 1972 -- Captain Marion Marshall, Class of ’68, a navigator, is forced to eject from his F-4E aircraft northeast of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, and becomes a prisoner of war.  He would be released on March 29, 1973.  …Also on this day, back in 1989 -- The P-51 Mustang statue is dedicated.  The memorial, sculpted by Robert Henderson and displayed on the Honor Court, was donated by the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association.  …for a behind-the-scenes look at cadet life, follow us on...

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Wednesday, July 2nd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, July, 2nd  On this day, back in 1937 -- Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart disappears in the Pacific during an attempted around-the-world flight.  In 1960, Academy faculty member Captain Paul Briand Jr. published a biography entitled “Daughter of the Sky: The Story of Amelia Earhart.”  It was the first book published by an active faculty member.  …Also on this day, back in 201 0 -- Captain David Wisniewski, Class of 2002, dies of injuries suffered on June 9, 2010 when his HH-60G helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed...

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Tuesday, July 1st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, July 1st  On this day, back in 1966  --  Headquarters Air Force changes its rules, enabling Academy graduates to attend medical school under the sponsorship of the Air Force Institute of Technology.  Up to two percent of any graduating class could enter the program on active duty instead of ‘in-leave’ status.  …Also on this day, back in 2024 -- Led by aircraft commander Colonel Brent Toth, Class of ‘00, a nine-person crew executes the world’s first nonstop KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan.  The 45-hour flight...

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