February 6, 2023

Wings of Blue supports Polaris Dawn crew

Members of the Polaris Dawn crew including Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, Medical Officer Anna Menon and Mission Commander Jared Isaacman take time to pose for a photo before completing the AM-490 basic freefall parachute training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Jan. 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When it comes to out-of-this-world training, cadets and faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy are leading the way, as members of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew discovered Jan. 27. The four-person crew completed AM-490 basic freefall...

Continue Reading Wings of Blue supports Polaris Dawn crew

February 8, 2023

CCLD director says NCLS offers professional development opportunities

Col. Kurt Wendt, director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development, in his office at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 5, 2023. Wendt’s focus is to develop leaders of character at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Senior Airman Michael Ward U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Growing up in small-town Wisconsin, Col. Kurt Wendt was not sure what he wanted to do for a career. He did know, however, he wanted to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy due to the school’s reputation. “Joining the Air...

Continue Reading CCLD director says NCLS offers professional development opportunities

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...

Continue Reading Service Academy Character Summit debuts at NCLS

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...

Continue Reading NCLS 2023: Jared Isaacman says leaders must empower their teams

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...

Continue Reading Seniors prepare for joint force experience in spring CULEX

March 25, 2023

Academy’s Madera Cyber Innovation Center construction in full swing

An artist’s rendering depicts the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Madera Cyber Innovation Center and its architecture. Academy officials collaborated with multiple organizations including the Air Force Academy Foundation to sponsor the $58 million dollar facility, expected to be ready by the 2024 fall semester. The building will allow cadets to stay at the forefront of cyber innovation and problem-solving. (Courtesy photo) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional contractors are underway toward finishing a state-of-the-art construction project that U.S. Air Force Academy officials expect to be ready...

Continue Reading Academy’s Madera Cyber Innovation Center construction in full swing

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....

Continue Reading Dean presents Annual Research Awards

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...

Continue Reading Cadets create Academy “green tour”

November 23, 2022

Cadets create plant experiment to go to space

U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadets and faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy are participating in some out-of-this-world research. Their plant project is one of several chosen as part of the Polaris Dawn mission’s science and research portfolio. The mission is expected to launch no earlier than March 2023 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “It blows my mind that cadets at the Academy have opportunities to work on projects like this,” said Cadet 1st Class Caroline Harshbarger, one of the cadets involved in the plant project....

Continue Reading Cadets create plant experiment to go to space

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...

Continue Reading Air power, joint operations dominate Eaker Lecture discussion