Weekend of June 28th and 29th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of June 28th and 29th -  On this day, back in 1965 -  For the first time, three members of the same family are enrolled at the Academy at the same time: Cadet Don Hallenbeck, Class of ’66, and his brothers Ted, Class of ’68, and Ralph, Class of ’69.  Their father, Colonel Ralph Hallenbeck, was the Academy’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Base Commander.  …Also this weekend back in 1992 -- The first international cadets from a former communist bloc country are admitted to the Academy, as...

Continue Reading Weekend of June 28th and 29th

Friday, June 27th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, June 27th –   On this day, back in 1972 - Captain John Cerak, Class of ’67, is forced to eject when his F-4E “Phantom II” aircraft is shot down during a MiG Cap mission west of Hanoi.  He was captured and became a prisoner of war but would be released on March 28, 1973.  …Also on this day, back in 2013 - The Class of 2017 reports to the Academy for in-processing.  After a one-year move of the first phase of in-processing from Doolittle Hall to the Field House...

Continue Reading Friday, June 27th

Thursday, June 26th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, June 26th –   On this day, back in 1978 – Mrs. Eleanor Pool Arnold, wife of General Henry “Hap” Arnold, dies in Sonoma County, California.  In her will, she left her husband’s historic personal effects to the Academy such as his personal five-star flag, medals, ribbons, photographs, and a large portrait.  General Arnold is the namesake of the Cadet Area’s social center and exemplar for the Academy Class of 2012.  …Also on this day, back in 1997 – The 1,118-member Class of 2001 reports to the Academy for in-processing....

Continue Reading Thursday, June 26th

Wednesday, June 25th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, June, 25th -  On this day, back in 1979 - The 1,516 members of the Class of ’83 report to the Academy for in-processing. And today is in-processing or I-Day for the Class of 2029. We wish our incoming cadet candidates the best of luck, as they begin their cadet journey.  …Also on this day, back in 1991 -- Lieutenant General Bradley Hosmer, Class of ’59, becomes the first Air Force Academy graduate to serve as Superintendent.  He took the reins from Lieutenant General Charles Hamm.  …for recent photos of cadet...

Continue Reading Wednesday, June 25th

Tuesday, June 24th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, June 24th-  On this day, back in 1972 --  First Lieutenant Charles Jackson, Class of ’69, is shot down by an air-to-air missile over North Vietnam while serving as a Weapons Systems Officer in an F-4D “Phantom II” aircraft.  A second Academy graduate in the flight, Captain William Beekman, Class of ’68, was also shot down and captured during the mission.  Lieutenant Jackson was promoted to Captain while in captivity and would remain a prisoner of war until his release on February 12, 1973.  …Also on this day, back...

Continue Reading Tuesday, June 24th

Monday, June 23rd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, June 23rd -   On this day, back in 1905 -- The initial flight of the first fully controllable aircraft, the Wright Flyer III, takes place at Huffman Prairie, east of Dayton, Ohio, with Orville Wright doing the flying.  The aircraft could turn, bank, and remain aloft for 30 minutes.  The Wright Brothers are the Class of ’15’s exemplars.  …Also on this day, back in 2012 - The Waldo Canyon Fire starts in the foothills south and west of the Academy.  By the time the fire was under control,...

Continue Reading Monday, June 23rd

Weekend of June 21st and 22nd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of June 21st and 22nd  On this day, back in 1993 --  The Space Shuttle orbiter Endeavour launches from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, with Ronald Grabe, Class of ‘66, as the commander of mission STS-57.  Brian Duffy, Class of ’75, was the mission pilot.  …Also this weekend back in 2020 -- Second Lieutenant Zachary Warlick, Class of ’20, in-processes at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, becoming the first member of the U.S. Space Force to be assigned to what is now Schriever Space Force Base.    …all content...

Continue Reading Weekend of June 21st and 22nd

Friday, June 20th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, June 20th –   On this day, back in 1941 - Army Regulation 95-5 establishes the Army Air Forces (AAF) as a semi-autonomous organization within the Army.  After this reorganization, AAF oversaw the Air Corps and the Air Force Combat Command, the agency replacing the General Headquarters Air Force.  General Henry “Hap” Arnold, namesake of the Cadet Area’s social center and exemplar for the Academy Class of 2012, was its first commander.  …Also on this day, back in 2001 - Deputy Fire Chief Ernst Piercy of the Academy’s Fire...

Continue Reading Friday, June 20th

Thursday, June 19th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, June 19th – Happy Juneteenth!  On this day, back in 1959 – Brigadier General William Seawell becomes the Academy’s third Commandant of Cadets.  He succeeded Major General Henry Sullivan Jr.  …Also on this day, back in 2014 – Members of the Class of ’59 visit the Academy as part of their reunion, the first 55-year reunion in Academy history.  Members of ’59 heard from the Academy Superintendent, Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson, Class of ’81, visited the Mall of Heroes, and held a Memorial Ceremony in the Cadet Chapel.  …for...

Continue Reading Thursday, June 19th

Wednesday, June 18th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, June, 18th-  On this day, back in 1999 - Brigadier General Mark Welsh III, Class of ’76, becomes the Commandant of Cadets.  General Welsh would go on to become the fourth Air Force Academy graduate to serve as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.  As Commandant, he succeeded Brigadier General Steve Lorenz, Class of ’73, who also went on to earn four-star rank, as the Commander, Air Education and Training Command.  …Also on this day, back in 2024 -- Colonel Mark Sletten, Class of 2000, is one of...

Continue Reading Wednesday, June 18th