September 27, 2022

From cadet to Guardian, a Space Force perspective

Guardian 1st Lt. Aaron Brooks poses in front of an Air Force Academy display at the Pentagon on June 1, 2022.  (courtesy photo by Loran Brooks) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - When 1st Lt. Aaron Brooks graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2020, he became one of 86 cadets to commission into the newly established U.S. Space Force. Brooks, along with his peers, are the first Academy grads to lead Guardians. Brooks took time out of his busy schedule to share his experiences and thoughts. When did you develop an interest...

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July 26, 2023

Med Group address medical needs during basic cadet training

The 10th Medical Group members support the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2027 In-processing Day and Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Armstrong) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The 10th Medical Group members support U.S. Air Force Academy Basic Cadet Training, beginning with screening basic cadets for in-processing and continuing through treating injuries and illnesses during Jacks Valley field training. “While six weeks may seem like a long time to some, that is all the time we have to prepare just over 1,100 new cadets for the academic,...

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July 28, 2023

Cadet cadre lead basics through Jacks Valley training

Cadet 1st Class Jared Cruz checks in with Leadership Readiness Course cadet cadre at Jacks Valley July 24, 2023. The cadet cadre executes the Basic Cadet Training mission under the supervision of enlisted and officer experts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Blaire Brush)   By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The young men and women who arrived at the U.S. Air Force Academy a month ago learned what it takes to survive and thrive here, thanks to the cadets who’ve already experienced Basic Cadet Training teaching them. The cadet cadre members are not only...

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February 29, 2024

Missy Franklin shares team concepts with cadets

Five-time U.S. Olympic swimming gold medalist Missy Franklin speaks at the National Character and Leadership Symposium Feb. 23, 2024. Franklin discusses how culture and connection were a part of her journey to Olympic gold. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Rayna Grace) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – It isn’t every day that you get to meet your childhood hero, but the 31st annual National Character and Leadership Symposium provided Cadet 2nd Class Darien Tompkins with so much more. The U.S. Air Force Academy Women’s Swimming and Diving Team member led a...

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January 29, 2024

Therapy dogs bring smiles; reduce cadet stress

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 4th Class Eri McClain-Yu holds Go Team Therapy Crisis and Airport Dog Spiff in McDermott Library Dec. 11, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadet 3rd Class Nicolina Brown said she loves Go Team Therapy Crisis and Airport Dogs so much that she has a perfect answer whenever she's late meeting friends. "I say, ‘you can't blame me; there was a dog,'" Brown said. For 12 years, therapy dogs from Go Team have regularly visited the Academy. They...

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November 14, 2023

Academy cadet selected for postgraduate Rhodes Scholarship

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre was selected for a Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Madelyn Letendre, Class of 2024, was selected for a highly competitive Rhodes Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program enabling young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, according to the program’s website....

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November 17, 2023

Celebrating 65 years of Academy Assembly

Panelists speak at the 65th Academy Assembly Nov. 7, 2023 at Polaris Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. This year’s Assembly theme was “The Dragon Roars Back: China’s Return to the World Stage.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communication U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy celebrated its 65th year of the Academy Assembly and addressed China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region and international spheres during a three-day event held at Polaris Hall here, Nov. 6-8. As a top priority of the National Defense Strategy,...

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November 17, 2023

Cadet critical thinking is crucial for department professor

Lt. Col. Neil Rogers stands in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Oct. 31, 2023. Rogers is the department’s senior military faculty member and assistant professor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.– Every fall, Lt. Col. Neil Rogers searches for two distinct types of U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering cadets. First, the department’s senior military faculty member and assistant professor looks for cadets who show a penchant for solving the most difficult problems with plans to...

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December 6, 2023

Team wins gold for iGEM research in Paris

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Cosmo Cao conducts an experiment as part of his research. Cao was part of the Academy’s 17-cadet iGEM team that earned a gold medal for their Lyme disease research during the international Genetic Engineering Machine Grand Jamboree in Paris Nov. 2-5, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Jordan Steel) By Randy Roughton and Jeff Troth U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The U.S. Air Force Academy iGEM team’s Lyme disease research helped them win a gold medal at the international Genetically Engineered Machine Grand Jamboree Nov. 2-5. The gold...

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December 7, 2023

Cadets design planes to solve problems

Three cadet-designed and built sub-scale flying models of stealthy target drones appear outside the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Aeronautics after flight testing Nov. 28, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- For three decades, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Aeronautics aircraft design cadets have tackled real-world problems by designing, building and testing airplanes and rockets. About 75 cadets in the fall aircraft design course completed flight testing and final modifications to their aircraft in November. Their mission was to apply aeronautical concepts...

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