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...

Continue Reading Wednesday, July 23rd

Tuesday, July 22nd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, July 22 -  On this day, back in 1954 — First Lieutenant Phil Boggs, a staff officer in the Academy’s computer center, wins the men’s three-meter springboard title at the second World Aquatic Championships in Cali, Colombia—his second consecutive world championship. Lieutenant Boggs would go on to win gold in the same event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.  …Also on this day, back in 1975 — Brigadier General Don Zimmerman becomes the first Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy. …for the...

Continue Reading Tuesday, July 22nd

Monday, July 21st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, July 21 -  On this day, back in 1910 — Orville Wright conducts experimental flights at Dayton, Ohio, using a wheeled chassis. A set of twin wheels was attached to each skid, marking a significant evolution in early aviation. The Wright Brothers are the exemplars for the Academy’s Class of 2015. …Also on this day, back in 2011 — The Space Shuttle Atlantis lands at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, concluding the final flight of the Space Transportation System program. Over 30 years and 135 missions, 36 Air Force Academy...

Continue Reading Monday, July 21st

Weekend of July 19th and 20th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of July 19th and 20th -  On this day, back in 1954 -- Lieutenant General Hubert Harmon, the Academy’s first Superintendent, recommends Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, as the temporary home of the Air Force Academy.  On the same day, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott made it official.  …Also this weekend back in 2018 -- Lieutenant Colonel Jaak Tarien, Class of ’98, concludes his tenure as the Commander of the Estonian Air Force.  An Air Force Academy exchange student, he had served in that role since...

Continue Reading Weekend of July 19th and 20th

Friday, July 18th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, July 18th--  On this day, back in 1914 - Congress approves legislation creating an Aviation Section in the Signal Corps.  The precursor of the Air Force was charged with training 60 officers and 260 enlisted men in matters pertaining to military aviation.  Also on this day, back in 2009 - Captain Mark McDowell, Class of ’05, is killed when his F-15E ‘Strike Eagle’ aircraft crashes after flying for several hours in support of ground troops in the Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  His name appears on the Graduate War Memorial on...

Continue Reading Friday, July 18th

Thursday, July 17th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, July 17th  On this day, back in 1943 -- Walt Disney Productions releases the animated documentary “Victory Through Air Power,” based on Major Alexander de Seversky’s 1942 book of the same title.  While Disney Productions made many military-related films on commission for the government during World War II, Walt Disney personally funded this project due to his belief in Seversky’s theories about the practical uses of long-range strategic bombing.  American President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill saw the film and were impressed by Seversky’s viewpoints.  The...

Continue Reading Thursday, July 17th

Wednesday, July 16th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, July, 16th  On this day, back in 1969 -- The Apollo 11 mission launches from Cape Kennedy, Florida.  On its round trip to the moon and back, the spaceship held a piece of muslin material and a small splinter of wood from the Wright Brothers aircraft that flew on 17 December 1903.  The Wright Brothers are the exemplars of the Class of ‘15.  …Also on this day, back in 2024 -- Former cadet and Falcon baseball player Paul Skenes, Class of ‘24, is the starting pitcher for the National...

Continue Reading Wednesday, July 16th

Tuesday, July 15th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, July 15th--  On this day, back in 1953 --  During his second tour to Korea, Major James Jabara records his fifteenth and final kill of the war, all against MiG-15 aircraft, making him the second-highest scoring American ace of the conflict.  America’s first jet ace, Jabara is the namesake of the Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship that the Academy and the Association of Graduates jointly present annually to an Academy graduate, living or deceased, whose actions directly associated with an aerospace vehicle set him or her apart from...

Continue Reading Tuesday, July 15th

Monday, July 14th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, July 14th--  On this day, back in 1967 -- Actor, comedian, writer, and television pioneer Sid Caesar visits the Academy as a guest of the Cadet Wing staff.  …Also on this day, back in 2023 -- The Association of Graduates inducts Retired Brigadier General Harvey Schiller as an Honorary Member during an afternoon ceremony at Doolittle Hall.  Schiller was Permanent Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, helped launch the directorate of faculty support in the Dean of the Faculty office and served as its first director.     …for the business-focused...

Continue Reading Monday, July 14th

Weekend of July 12th and 13th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of July 12th and 13th --  On this day, back in 2001 -- Beginning the third of his five space missions, Steven Lindsey, Class of ’82, serves as commander of mission STS-104 aboard the Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis.  …Also this weekend back in 1921 -- Army Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, namesake of the Academy cadet dining hall and exemplar for the Class of 2001, uses Martin MB-2 and Handley Page bombers to sink several ships off the Virginia Capes. The tests studied the use of bombs on ships to...

Continue Reading Weekend of July 12th and 13th