Monday, April 14th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, April 14th- On this day, back in 2018  --  Air Force Academy cadets win the top prize at the two-day Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.  It was the first time Air Force won since the competition started in 1967.  …Also on this day, back in 1965  --  The Air Force-specific Medal of Honor is created.  President Lyndon Johnson first presented the medal on 19 January 1967 to Major Bernard Fisher for action in South Vietnam.  Captain Lance Sijan, Class of ’65,...

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Weekend of April 12th and 13th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of April 12th and 13th- On this day, back in 1981  --  The Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the first flight in the Space Transportation System program that would consist of 135 missions and fly for 30 years, ending with the final landing on July 21st 2011.  Thirty-six Air Force Academy graduates flew aboard missions on NASA’s space shuttle fleet – Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. …Also this weekend, back in 2021  --  Cadet Joi Harvey, Class of ’24, is named the Mountain...

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Friday, April 11th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, April 11th- On this day, back in 1991  --  Air Force officials announce that Lieutenant General Bradley Hosmer, Class of ’59, would be the Academy’s next Superintendent.  When he assumed the position on 25 June 1991, he became the first Air Force Academy graduate to serve as Superintendent. …Also on this day, back in 2000  --  Colonel Mark Hyatt, Class of ’74, accepts a Citizenship Award from former President Gerald Ford at the College of the Ozarks, Missouri.  The award was given to Academy’s Center for Character Development, of...

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Thursday, April 10th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, April 10th-  On this day, back in 1986  --  Halley’s Comet comes closest to earth (39 million miles away) during its once every 75-76 years pass.  During its appearance, hundreds of people visited the Academy’s observatory to catch a glimpse of the comet through the 24-inch telescope.  The next pass was expected in July 2061.  …Also on this day, back in 2017  --  Cadet Shane Starrett, Class of ’19, signs a two-year National Hockey League (NHL) entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers.  The goaltender was the first Falcon...

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Wednesday, April 9th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, April 9th-  On this day, back in 1994  -- The fourth space mission with three Air Force Academy graduates on board lifts off.  The Mission STS-59 crew included:  Sidney Gutierrez, Class of ’73, as commander; Kevin Chilton, Class of ’76, as the pilot; and Thomas Jones, Class of ’77, as the mission specialist.  They flew the Space Shuttle Endeavour.  The first mission with three grads was STS-51J, which launched on October 3rd 1985. …Also on this day, back in 2021  --  The Athletic Department announces that the Colorado Springs...

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Tuesday, April 8th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Tuesday, April 8th-  On this day, back in 1998  --  General (Retired) John Chain, former Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command, begins three days of lectures at the Academy.  He spoke to 500 cadets during 13 history forums.  His visit was part of the Distinguished Professional-in-Residence Program sponsored by the Department of History.  …Also on this day, back in 2016  --  Cadet Chris Dylewski, Class of ’16, receives the Hockey Humanitarian Award.  The award was presented at the Tampa Theatre during the “Frozen Four” national championship weekend.  The award recognized...

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Monday, April 7th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Monday, April 7th- On this day, back in 2003  --  After providing close-air support of ground troops in Baghdad, Iraq, the A-10 aircraft flown by Captain Kim Campbell, Class of ’97, is struck by a surface-to-air missile.  Despite losing hydraulics, she was able to land safely in Kuwait.  She received the Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission. …Also on this day, back in 2023  --  The Jabara Airmanship Award Banquet takes place in Doolittle Hall.  Two graduates were honored: Captain Alexander Boules was the 2020 recipient, with Major J. Cameron...

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Weekend of April 5th and 6th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of April 5th and 6th- On this day, back in 2008  --  Cadet Ryan Mudry, Class of ‘09, receives recognition for his research into an implant device for glaucoma treatment at the 45th International Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium.  Involved in research at the Academy’s Life Sciences Research Center, he was the first undergraduate to receive the Program Chairman’s Award for Excellence. …Also this weekend, back in 2019  --  The Founders Day Dinner is held at Arnold Hall.  Four men were honored as 2018 Distinguished Graduates: ...

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Friday, April 4th-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Friday, April 4th- On this day, back in 1985  --  Congress promotes (Retired) Lieutenant General Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the Doolittle Raid to a  four-star rank on the Air Force retired list.  President Ronald Reagan and Senator Barry Goldwater later presented him with his fourth star. …Also on this day, back in 2016  --  Cadet David Higgins, Class of ’16 earns a spot to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  He was the first person to qualify for the Olympics while a cadet-athlete. …for...

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Thursday, April 3rd-

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, April 3rd- On this day, back in 2003  --  Majors Leighton Anderson and Edward Lengel, both members of the Class of ’92, receive the 2003 Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award.  Major Anderson distinguished himself as an MH-53M aircraft commander and flight lead during a direct action assault mission in Afghanistan.  Major Anderson was honored for his performance as HH-60G Pavehawk commander and flight lead on a rescue and recovery mission, also in Afghanistan. …Also on this day, back in 2009  --  The 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award recipients, Major General...

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