Monday, May 5th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, May 5th-  On this day, back in 1993  --  President William Clinton presents the 1992 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to members of the Academy football team in a White House ceremony.  The event took place in the Rose Garden.  This was the first of President Clinton’s six opportunities to present the trophy to the Falcons.  …Also on this day, back in 2016 -- Cadet Drew Romero, Class of ’18, becomes the first person to receive the Frank Bryant Award for his sportsmanship.  Cadet Romero, a wrestler, earned the award for embodying...

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Weekend of May 3rd and 4th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of May 3rd and 4th -  On this day, back in 1973 -- The Air Force’s three Vietnam aces (Captains Steve Ritchie, Class of ’64, Charles DeBellevue, and Jeffrey Feinstein, Class of ’68) receive the 1972 Mackay Trophy during a Pentagon ceremony officiated by the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General Horace Wade.  The Mackay Trophy, first presented in 1912, was given annually to “the Air Force person or persons who made the most meritorious flight of the year.”  …Also this weekend back in 2003 -- The...

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Friday, May 2nd

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, May 2nd-  On this day, back in 1959 -- The ABC-TV human interest series “You Asked For It” devotes its entire 30-minute episode to the Academy, its traditions, the events leading to its birth, its past and its future.  Filming took two weeks.  …Also on this day, back in 2023 -- The Academy announces the tenth class for induction into its Athletic Hall of Fame.  The Class of 2023 is comprised of football player Chad Hall (Class of ’08), soccer player Tracy Healy (’96), gymnast Marci McGlinn (‘85), water...

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Thursday, May 1st

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, May 1  On this day, back in 2011 -- Groundbreaking takes place on the $9.5 million Cadet Fitness Center addition. The 46,000-square-foot facility, completed in May 2012, was located on the west side of the building. It included climbing walls, cardio equipment, a physical fitness testing room, a weight room, and a collegiate fencing center.  …Also on this day, back in 2022 -- Cadet Scott Rockett, Class of ’25, wins the NCAA Air Rifle championship at the NCAA Championships held at the Academy. He became the first NCAA air...

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Wednesday, April 30th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, April 30th-  On this day, back in 1971  -- Major General Frederick Anderson is honored with a Falcon Foundation scholarship.  Robert Purcell, Chairman of the Board for Lear Siegler, made the presentation in the Officers’ Club.  General Anderson had been a pioneer of strategic air warfare, and commanded the Eighth Bomber Command in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.   …Also on this day, back in 2022  --  Defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, Class of ’22, is drafted in the sixth round of the National Football League draft...

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Tuesday, April 29th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, April 29th-  On this day, back in 1993  --  The Academy Band’s “Wild Blue Country” performs on The Nashville Network’s “Nashville Now” program.  The band was a frequent guest on the highly rated show, bringing favorable publicity to the Academy.  …Also on this day, back in 2014  --  Colorado Springs Mayor Steven Bach visits the Academy to present the Spirit of the Springs Award to Cadet Madeleine Girardot, Class of ‘16, for performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking Colorado Springs teen while on a trip to Virginia Beach,...

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Monday, April 28th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, April 28th-  On this day, back in 2021  --  Lieutenant General John Shaw, Class of ’90 and Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command, speaks in the Arnold Hall Theater.  He discussed the importance of the Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character as it related to U.S. interests and capabilities in space.  His audience consisted primarily of cadets who would commission into the Space Force upon graduation the following month.  …Also on this day, back in 2023  --  Members of the Academy football team receive the 2022 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy from...

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Weekend of April 26th and 27th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of April 26th and 27th-  On this day, back in 1988  --  Pioneer aviator Pat Patterson, 88 years old, speaks to cadets as part of the Department of History’s guest speaker program.  In 1919, he had opened what may have been the first commercial aircraft sales office.  He went on to be a barnstormer pilot and an aircraft designer.  Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle mapped out his raid on Japan while visiting Patterson’s home.  …Also this weekend, back in 1993  --  Two Academy grads launch into space aboard the...

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Friday, April 25

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, April 25th-  On this day, back in 2000  --  The Academy men’s soccer team scrimmages Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids at the Academy.  Cadet Rich Cullen, Class of ’00, who had been drafted by the Rapids, was in goal for them in the second half, making five saves in the 3-1 Rapids win.  …Also on this day, back in 2016  --  Brigadier General (Retired) Malham Wakin delivers the Polaris Hall Inaugural Lecture.  General Wakin served on active duty for 42 years and taught at the Academy for 57 years. ...

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Thursday, April 24th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, April 24th-  On this day, back in 2015  --  The POW Memorial Sculpture Dedication Ceremony takes place in Doolittle Hall.  The sculpture, located in the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion, contained the names of the 33 Academy graduates who had served as prisoners of war in Vietnam.  Nineteen of those POWs attended the dedication.   …Also on this day, back in 2021  --  Approximately 50 cadets fly aboard UH-1N "Huey" and HH-60G "Pave Hawk" helicopters.  The flights, hosted by pilots from the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base,...

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