Tuesday, June 17th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, June 17th -   On this day, back in 2002 -- The Hayman Fire west of the Academy forces the evacuation of the Farish Recreation Camp and the Academy’s Combat Survival Training site in the Pike National Forest.  The fire would burn 137,000 acres and destroy 600 structures.  …Also on this day, back in 2021 - Testifying during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, General John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, says the creation of a new service academy for the U.S. Space Force is not necessary.  Responding to a...

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Monday, June 16th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, June 16th -   On this day, back in 1953 -- The Thunderbirds’ (U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron) first official performance takes place at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona.  Many Academy graduates would fly for the team, beginning in 1965 with Captain Henry Canterbury, Class of ’59.  …Also on this day, back in 1983 - Lieutenant General Winfield “Skip” Scott becomes the Academy’s tenth Superintendent, assuming command from Major General Robert Kelley.     …for the business-focused social media side of the Academy, follow us on Linkedin @ US-Air-Force-Academy 

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Weekend of June 14th and 15th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of June 14th and 15th -  On this day, back in 1973 -- First Lieutenant Gilbert Rovito, Class of ‘70, is killed when his H-53 “Super Jolly Green Giant” helicopter is struck by hostile fire and crashes over water off the coast of Cambodia during a rescue mission.  He was posthumously promoted to Captain and his name appears on the Graduate War Memorial on the Academy Terrazzo.  …Also this weekend back in 2020 -- The restoration of the ‘Air Gardens’ on the Academy Terrazo begins, under the direction of contractor...

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Friday, June 13th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, June 13th –   On this day, back in 1969 - A Minuteman missile goes on display at the Academy’s Visitor Center.  The three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile was exhibited for four days.  …Also on this day, back in 2011 - Officials from the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs Utilities, and SunPower Corporation flip a switch signifying the official dedication of the Academy’s six-megawatt solar array.  The array, near the Academy’s South Gate, constituted about 11 percent of the Academy’s overall electricity needs: about 12,000 megawatt-hours per year, or enough...

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Thursday, June 12th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, June 12th  On this day, back in 1982 – Brigadier General Anthony Burschnick, Class of ’60, becomes the Academy Commandant of Cadets.  He was the second Academy graduate to serve as Commandant, immediately following the first, Brigadier General Bob Beckel, Class of ’59.  …Also on this day, back in 2007 – Retired Colonel Michael Butler, Class of ‘76, is killed when the vehicle in which he was traveling is struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Tikrit, Iraq.  He was working as a contractor with the Civilian Police Advisory Training...

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Wednesday, June 11th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, June, 11th-  On this day, back in 1999 - The documentary “Return With Honor” is released.  The film profiled prisoners of war in the Vietnam War, including Air Force Academy graduates.  It was made by Academy Award winning filmmakers Freida Lee Mock and Terry Sanders, and narrated by actor Tom Hanks.  The Academy Class of ’75 was instrumental in the making of the film, with support from the Association of Graduates and financial backing from the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation.  …Also on this day, back in 2013 -- The Black Forest Fire...

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Tuesday, June 10th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, June 10th-  On this day, back in 2013 --  Colonel Stacey Hawkins, Class of ’91, assumes command of the 10th Air Base Wing at the Academy during a ceremony presided over by the Superintendent, Lieutenant General Michael Gould, Class of ’76.  Colonel Hawkins succeeded Colonel Tim Gibson.  …Also on this day, back in 2021 - Second Lieutenant Maria Mettler, Class of ’21, places third in the 10,000-meter run at the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.  She posted a time of 32 minutes,...

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Monday, June 9th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, June 9th -   On this day, back in 1965 -- The Class of ’65 graduates in Falcon Stadium.  Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General John McConnell, presented diplomas to 517 graduates. To view highlights from our recent Academy graduation, visit our YouTube channel @ USAFAOfficial.  …Also on this day, back in 2006 - Ten days after graduating, Second Lieutenant Dana Pounds, Class of ’06, defends her national javelin title at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California.  She became the Academy’s first back-to-back champion...

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Weekend of June 7th and 8th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of June 7th and 8th -  On this day, back in 1972 -- Major Michael Blaisdell, Class of ’62, becomes the first Academy graduate to fly right wing for the Thunderbirds (U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron).  His first performance took place at the Academy during the Class of ’72’s graduation ceremony.  …Also this weekend back in 2021 -- First Lieutenant Griffin Jax, Class of ’17, becomes the first Academy graduate to play major league baseball when he enters a game against the New York Yankees.  The Minnesota Twins’...

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Thursday, June 5

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, June 5th  On this day, back in 1967 -- Captain Douglas Butterfield, Class of ‘63, is killed when his O-1G "Bird Dog" aircraft is struck by ground fire and crashes during a visual reconnaissance mission in South Vietnam.  His name appears on the Graduate War Memorial on the Academy Terrazzo.  …Also on this day, back in 2012 -- The 306th Flying Training Group realigns under the 12th Flying Training Wing.  The change was made due to the scheduled inactivation of the 19th Flying Training Wing.  The unit remained under...

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