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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Tuesday, June 17th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, June 17th -   On this day, back in 2002 -- The Hayman Fire west of the Academy forces the evacuation of the Farish Recreation Camp and the Academy’s Combat Survival Training site in the Pike National Forest.  The fire would burn 137,000 acres and destroy 600 structures.  …Also on this day, back in 2021 - Testifying during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, General John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, says the creation of a new service academy for the U.S. Space Force is not necessary.  Responding to a...

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Monday, June 16th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, June 16th -   On this day, back in 1953 -- The Thunderbirds’ (U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron) first official performance takes place at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona.  Many Academy graduates would fly for the team, beginning in 1965 with Captain Henry Canterbury, Class of ’59.  …Also on this day, back in 1983 - Lieutenant General Winfield “Skip” Scott becomes the Academy’s tenth Superintendent, assuming command from Major General Robert Kelley.     …for the business-focused social media side of the Academy, follow us on Linkedin @ US-Air-Force-Academy 

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Weekend of June 14th and 15th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of June 14th and 15th -  On this day, back in 1973 -- First Lieutenant Gilbert Rovito, Class of ‘70, is killed when his H-53 “Super Jolly Green Giant” helicopter is struck by hostile fire and crashes over water off the coast of Cambodia during a rescue mission.  He was posthumously promoted to Captain and his name appears on the Graduate War Memorial on the Academy Terrazzo.  …Also this weekend back in 2020 -- The restoration of the ‘Air Gardens’ on the Academy Terrazo begins, under the direction of contractor...

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Friday, June 13th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, June 13th –   On this day, back in 1969 - A Minuteman missile goes on display at the Academy’s Visitor Center.  The three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile was exhibited for four days.  …Also on this day, back in 2011 - Officials from the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs Utilities, and SunPower Corporation flip a switch signifying the official dedication of the Academy’s six-megawatt solar array.  The array, near the Academy’s South Gate, constituted about 11 percent of the Academy’s overall electricity needs: about 12,000 megawatt-hours per year, or enough...

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Thursday, June 12th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, June 12th  On this day, back in 1982 – Brigadier General Anthony Burschnick, Class of ’60, becomes the Academy Commandant of Cadets.  He was the second Academy graduate to serve as Commandant, immediately following the first, Brigadier General Bob Beckel, Class of ’59.  …Also on this day, back in 2007 – Retired Colonel Michael Butler, Class of ‘76, is killed when the vehicle in which he was traveling is struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Tikrit, Iraq.  He was working as a contractor with the Civilian Police Advisory Training...

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