February 23, 2023

Service Academy Character Summit debuts at NCLS

Kevin Basik, National Medal of Honor Institute chief of leadership programs, speaks with Medal of Honor recipients U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski, U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Swenson, and U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg at the Service Academy Character Summit at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 22, 2023. The summit aims to find shared values across the service academies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Each year, the National Character and Leadership Symposium aims to raise the bar on...

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March 2, 2023

NCLS 2023: Jared Isaacman says leaders must empower their teams

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments and mission commander of Polaris Dawn, addresses cadets during his fireside chat at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 23, 2023. He shares his experience building high performance teams with National Character and Leadership Symposium attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tali Burress U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Jared Isaacman, pilot, civilian astronaut and CEO of Shift4 payments, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his U.S. Air Force Academy’s National Character and Leadership Symposium fireside chat.   Isaacman shared why leadership and teamwork secured...

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March 22, 2023

Seniors prepare for joint force experience in spring CULEX

Cadets use flight simulators in the multi-domain lab during the spring culminating exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 18, 2023. The CULEX simulated a joint forces scenario testing teamwork, leadership and agile combat employment skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Senior cadets’ operational thinking and strategic understanding were put to the test this semester with a multi-domain training approach for soon-to-be second lieutenants. The Spring Culminating Exercise (CULEX) is a test of senior cadets’ ability to practically apply knowledge and skills...

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March 28, 2023

Dean presents Annual Research Awards

Cadets and faculty gather in Polaris Hall for the Dean’s Annual Research Awards presentations at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 20, 2023. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Research is an integral part of a cadet’s experience at the U.S. Air Force Academy, giving cadets ample opportunity to tackle tough topics and solve real-world issues. Each year, some of the most innovative and inspiring projects are recognized at the Dean’s Annual Research Awards. These awards acknowledge the work of both cadets and faculty across many disciplines....

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November 15, 2022

Class of 2023 unveils official painting

The U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2023 official painting contains six elements that represent life as an academy cadet. The painting was created by Colorado artist Steve Weed after he won a public call for artists. (Courtesy photo) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. Air Force Academy cadets unveiled the Class of 2023 official painting during a ceremony in Fairchild Hall, Nov. 8, 2022. The “Piece” The piece, painted by local artist Steve Weed, features six elements that represent the Academy. The focal point of the painting is a graduating cadet holding the Falcon mascot, Nova. The secondary...

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April 3, 2023

Cadet Chapel reaches restoration milestone

Contractors lower the final panel of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel during a ceremony, March 30, 2023. The ceremony signified the transition from the demolition phase and site preparation to the reconstruction phase of the chapel restoration. Academy officials expect contractors to complete the work by 2027. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project reached a landmark milestone when contractors removed the final aluminum panel March 30. The event marked the 1,008th...

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April 17, 2023

Cadets create Academy “green tour”

Cadets first class Ardent Almazan, Emily Lukowski and Maddie Williams (left to right) admire the sustainability features in Polaris Hall, a LEED Gold-certified building, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 4, 2023. The cadets developed a green tour of the Academy for their Geospatial capstone. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Justin Pacheco)  By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - You can now take a “green tour” of the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to three senior cadets’ geospatial sciences capstone project.  Cadets first class Emily Lukowski, Maddie Williams and Ardent Almazan spent this semester...

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April 26, 2023

Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion

Cadet 1st Class Catherine Manning moderates a discussion with Gen. James Hecker and retired Gen. Tod Wolters during the Eaker Lecture at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 19, 2023. Retired Generals Philip Breedlove and Jeffrey Harrigian participated remotely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)   By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications   U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -  Present and former U.S. Air Forces Europe commanders shared insights into the year-old Russia-Ukraine war with cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy Wednesday during the Ira C. Eaker Distinguished Lecture.  Current USAFE commander Gen. James Hecker, Academy class of...

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May 8, 2023

Air Force Academy honors Spirit 03 aircrew legacy

(from left-to-right) Randy Helms, Colorado Springs City Council president and U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1979 graduate; Lt. Col. Colin LaFavor, 16th Special Operations Squadron commander; Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent; Michael Van Hoomissen, Academy Class of 1979 president; Karen Roberts, Maj. Paul Weaver’s sister; Jennifer Lavery, Weaver’s sister; and Mark Hille, Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates president, dedicate an AC-130H Spectre gunship sculpture during a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to memorialize the aircrew of Spirit 03, May 5, 2023. Maj. Paul Weaver, Spirit 03 aircraft commander and...

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May 8, 2023

Disaster relief training acts as leadership lab

Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy listen to Team Rubicon instructors during chainsaw training in Larkspur, Colo. in March 2023. The training is part of an effort by cadets to develop a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief club at the Academy. (courtesy photo: Team Rubicon)    By Blaire Brush U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.-  Cadet 3rd Class Kevin Duong said he just felt like he wasn’t doing enough. Now he spends his free time organizing cadets, creating partnerships and learning new skills in hopes of establishing a new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief...

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