Week of 9-15 August

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Week of Aug 9th through the 15th — 

This week, back in 1965 — Flying North American F-100D Super Sabres, the Thunderbirds fly their 1,000th show at Waukegan, Illinois.  Captain Henry Canterbury, Class of ’59, had joined the team earlier in the year.  He was the first of many Academy graduates to be members of the exclusive squadron. 

…Also this week, back in 1986 — A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the 40,000 square foot addition to Mitchell Hall.  The addition, located under the Terrazzo between Mitchell and Sijan Halls, would house formal and informal dining rooms and a 32,000 square-foot consolidated cadet issue facility.  The $7.5 million project was completed in July 1988. 

…And, this week back in 2001 –– The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery launches from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.  During mission STS-105, the shuttle travelled to the International Space Station to retrieve Susan Helms, Class of ’80, who had been aboard the ISS since 10 March 2001.  This was her final time in space.  

…Finally, this week back in 2025 – U.S. Space Force Brigadier General Nick Hague, Class of ’98, conducts two open forums in Fairchild Hall’s H-1 auditorium.  The astronaut and veteran of three spaceflights had returned from the Internation Space Station on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission on March 18, 2025. 

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