Academy Welcomes Family and Friends for Parents’ Weekend
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Over Labor Day weekend, friends, families, and alumni gathered at the Academy to visit their cadets during the 2026 Parents’ Weekend.
The Academy opened its doors to give visitors a view of what their cadets do throughout the year. This annual event showcased cadet life and offered an inside look at how the Academy prepares future officers of character for service in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force across its foundational mission pillars: Military Training, Athletics and Academics. The weekend offered families a meaningful glimpse into the demanding 47-month journey their loved ones are on as they are transformed from young civilians into decisive military leaders.
Parents’ Weekend highlighted the pride, discipline, and professional development of the Cadet Wing through key milestones and time-honored military traditions. The weekend also marked the first opportunity for many Cadet Fourth Class cadets (freshmen) to leave the Academy with family and friends since In-Processing Day in June.
“This fourth and final Parents’ Weekend is both exciting and bittersweet,” said Nan Stanley, parent of a Cadet First Class (senior) from Phoenix, Ariz. “Spending time with our Firstie, reconnecting with his friends, sharing moments with our whole family, dogs included, and participating in the Academy’s traditions reminded us how fortunate we’ve been to be part of this journey.”
The signature event of the weekend was Friday’s Parents’ Weekend Parade on Stillman Field, displaying the Cadet Wing’s mastery of drill and ceremony.
Immediately before the parade, Cadets from the Academy’s Falconry Team, Sabre Drill Team, and Cadet Honor Guard exhibited their skills to the delight of their friends and families in the crowd.
“Parents’ Weekend is just amazing, the parade, the aerial demonstration, the football game, all are just awe inspiring,” said Michael Faraino, parent of a Cadet Second Class (junior) from Boise, Idaho. “Where else can you go and see the kind of precision and excellence from the future of America? Seeing this just makes everybody proud.”
Following the parade, cadets showcased what distinguishes the Air Force Academy from other service academies: the Airmanship Program. Academy cadets demonstrated their tactical airmanship and operational skills during a Cadet Aviation Capabilities Exercise that featured precision jumps by the Wings of Blue parachute team, aerobatic glider performances, and flybys by Academy aircraft.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Meng Tatel, a 1998 Academy graduate and Western Pennsylvania Parents’ Club President currently has a Cadet Third Class (sophomore) enrolled and was impressed of what she had seen this weekend.
“It’s interesting to see how things are different at the Academy now from when I was a cadet, and what is still the same,” said Tatel. “I think there are a lot of things the Academy is doing so much better than when I was here. I think cadets now have a better understanding of why they’re doing the things they do.”
Families and friends were able to tour the Academy and see the landmarks of cadet life. They walked through academic facilities to learn more about the world-class curriculum their cadets are taking, visited Jacks Valley where their cadets conquered Basic Cadet Training, and learned about the support systems in place to ensure cadets thrive throughout their cadet experience.
Parents and cadets were in attendance at Falcon Stadium Saturday, Sept 5, as the Falcons cruised to a 34-0 win over Duquesne University in its season opener. Families also saw their cadet athletes compete in women soccer, cross country and men’s tennis during Parents’ Weekend.
“If you have never been to a Parents’ Weekend, you have to go at least once. It’s worth it,” said Pamela Faraino. “You only get four Parents’ Weekend, and this is our third. We wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
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