February 26, 2025

From cadet to missileer to mentor: shaping future leaders

Maj. Kaz “Dexter” Moffett, U.S. Air Force Academy Physics instructor, poses for a photo at the Academy, Colo., Feb. 12, 2025. Moffett, a 2014 Academy graduate, served as a missileer and weapons officer where he gained extensive operational experience with the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system before returning to the Academy as an instructor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Returning to the U.S. Air Force Academy as an instructor in the Department of Physics and Meteorology has been more than just a...

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March 11, 2025

Cadets test warfighter readiness in spring CULEX

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets conduct the 2025 Spring Culminating Exercise opening ceremony at the Academy, Colo., March 5, 2025. This exercise marks a significant shift from previous iterations, serving as a test of concept for future training exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets took on the rigorous Spring 2025 Culminating Exercise (CULEX), an essential training event designed to enhance their warfighter readiness and leadership skills, March 5-8. This year’s exercise marks a significant shift from previous iterations,...

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March 14, 2025

New self-help store serves cadets

Cadet 4th Class Eden Hewes, U-Fix-It store customer, drives a screw into her wardrobe to repair a latch, at Vandenberg Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Jan. 14, 2025. U-Fix-It is a new self-help store at Sijan Hall and is open to all cadets and Academy personnel to support minor maintenance and repair issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Academy’s 10th Civil Engineer Squadron recently opened a self-help store in Sijan Hall. Dubbed “U-Fix-It,” Academy leadership intends for...

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April 2, 2025

CATM renovations enhance training efficiency, safety

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s 10th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) facility recently underwent extensive renovations, significantly improving operational efficiency, training capacity, and safety. These upgrades, completed ahead of schedule, have transformed how CATM conducts weapons training, supporting Academy personnel and regional military and law enforcement agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s 10th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) facility recently underwent extensive renovations, significantly improving operational efficiency, training capacity, and...

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April 4, 2025

Academy recognizes military spouse for heroic life-saving actions

Mrs. Alicia Shamblin, a registered nurse and military spouse, embraces Cadet 3rd Class Boaz Abramoff during an award ceremony at Polaris Hall, March 31, 2025. Shamblin was recognized for her swift response and medical expertise that saved Abramoff’s life following a parachuting accident on July 31, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy recognized Mrs. Alicia Shamblin for her extraordinary actions that saved the life of a cadet during an award ceremony, March 31. Shamblin, a registered nurse and...

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April 8, 2025

Cadet Wing commander promotes warrior ethos

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing Commander Cadet 1st Class Joseph Tschetter takes command of the Cadet Wing on the Terrazzo, Jan. 3, 2025. As the Academy’s highest-ranking cadet, Tschetter is instrumental in cadet development as warrior leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – As Cadet Wing commander, Cadet 1st Class Joseph Tschetter connects cadets with U.S. Air Force Academy command staff to foster military excellence and warrior ethos. Additionally, the Academy’s highest-ranking cadet supports the Cadet Wing’s development into warfighters prepared to tackle...

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January 17, 2025

Cadets tackle mistletoe mitigation to fight forest decline

Cadet 1st Class Camryn Miller and Cadet 2nd Class Adam Rouse spot signs of dwarf mistletoe infestation in a ponderosa pine on the southern side of the U.S. Air Force Academy Jan. 16, 2025. The cadets created a Geospatial Science plan to map the parasite that affects trees on the installation during a Department of Economics and Geosciences sustainability course during the 2023-24 academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Two cadets made their mark on the conservation of Rocky Mountain forests in...

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April 15, 2025

Leading with strategy: Shaping cadets for the complexities of tomorrow

Lt. Col. Emily Bulger, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Management assistant professor, blends real-world leadership with research-backed teaching practices to prepare the next generation of officers. A 2005 Academy graduate, Bulger considers her return to the Academy as a professor a natural continuation of her journey in leadership and service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Whether commanding a finance squadron or leading cadets through business simulations, Lt. Col. Emily Bulger brings strategic depth and operational competency to everything she does. As an...

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April 24, 2025

Engineering the future: Professor bridges innovation, leadership in the classroom

Dr. Brian Johns, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Mechanical Engineering assistant professor, is helping shape the next generation of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force leaders by combining technical rigor with mentorship and mission relevance. From building virtual-reality surgical simulators to developing artificial intelligence-driven tools for engineering design, Johns has always worked at the forefront of innovation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Mackenzie Mendez U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – From building virtual-reality surgical simulators to developing artificial intelligence-driven tools for engineering design, Dr. Brian Johns has always worked...

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May 30, 2025

SECAF gives commencement speech to USAFA Class of 2025

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks to graduates and audience members during the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2025 graduation ceremony held at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 29, 2025. During his first public speech as SECAF, Meink emphasized the importance of national security and the shift of focus to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Tech. Sgt. Sahara Fales U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Approximately 900 cadets, along with their friends and loved ones, listened as Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink addressed...

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