October 15, 2019

5 research projects AF Academy cadets are working on today

By Janine Dreger, Oct. 15, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Ever wonder what cadet researchers are doing these days at the Air Force Academy? Here’s five projects we think are very interesting. Falcon Satellite Program All systems are “go” for FalconSat-6, a 400-pound satellite designed and built by cadets. It’s been in orbit for 10-months, receiving and transmitting information allowing cadets to track the progress of several space-technology projects. New Dimensions Cadets are developing technology to give pilots mission information during their “debriefs” in three dimensions. If cadets have their way, our pilots will eventually wear 3-D glasses to...

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October 9, 2019

Air Force Academy hosts annual “Audience with an Astronaut”

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 9, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Duane G. “Digger” Carey, a former NASA astronaut who piloted the STS-109 Columbia mission in March 2002, spoke to more than 300 fifth and sixth graders from schools across the Front Range at the Air Force Academy, Oct. 9. The annual “Audience with an Astronaut” event is held in partnership with the Space Foundation and highlights science, technology, engineering and math education as well as the role of the space industry. Carey shared his journey from childhood poverty in Minnesota to a...

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October 7, 2019

Air Force Academy launches new Airmanship Next program

Photo and story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 7, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy recently redesigned its Airmanship program to give cadets more opportunities to experience the Air Force’s flying mission and produce the best pool of rated candidates. Launched at the start of the fall semester, Airmanship Next augments live-flight at the airfield with virtual reality training to reach cadets who may have been excluded in the past by scheduling conflicts and infuses more aviation training into the four-year cadet developmental model. “The reality is that less than half of the cadets from a typical...

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October 4, 2019

Update: Cadets say Adventure Based Learning program is a success

  By (U.S. Air Force Academy photo/Jennifer Spradlin) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Oct. 4, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The preliminary results are in on Adventure Based Learning, and it’s scoring high marks from cadets and Academy leadership. The Center for Character Leadership and Development launched the hands-on challenge this summer for cadets entering their sophomore year to experiment with leadership and decision making skills in a dynamic, outdoor environment. Of the 1,105 students who went through ABL, only three cadets were medically disqualified and unable to complete the course. Top performing teams hiked more than 50 miles...

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September 25, 2019

Roadwork update: Academy Drive to stay closed between Interior and Cadet Drives through Oct 9

Staff report,  Oct. 7, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Academy Drive between Cadet Drive and Interior Drive is scheduled to remain closed through Oct. 9 for repairs. Detour signs are posted at the intersections of Interior and Academy drives, and Cadet and Academy drives. Visitors to the Academy may access the Visitor Center traveling on Academy Drive through Oct. 9. The roadwork work was originally slated to be complete by Sept. 20 but more repairs were needed. Drivers using Academy Drive to get to Harmon Hall are asked to follow the detour signs. Other Roadwork One lane of...

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November 5, 2019

Academy profile: 2018 grad continues education at MIT

Interview by Jennifer Spradlin, November 5, 2019 Second Lt. Austin Gadient, a 2018 Air Force Academy graduate and Charlottesville, Virginia native, is slated to earn his graduate degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology later this year. MIT is world-renowned for its science and engineering programs and has a highly competitive selection rate, admitting only 2,000 students each year to its graduate programs. Gadient hopes to bring that competitive edge to his Air Force service as a developmental engineer at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. What attracted you to the Air Force Academy?...

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September 24, 2019

Academy hosts Pathways to Prevention Summit, promotes healthy relationships

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Sept. 24, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Recent studies show an increase in loneliness and isolation in Americans, which can be linked to interpersonal and self-directed violence. The Air Force Academy, recognizing these issues are playing out in military and civilian communities across the country, hosted the Pathways to Prevention Summit, Sept. 23-24. “Our focus for the summit is not just on reaction and response [to violence], but prevention through an emphasis on developing strong protective behaviors,” said Dr. Ken Robinson, Academy violence prevention integrator and summit organizer. Robinson, a former Air Force chaplain,...

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September 11, 2019

AF Academy to host retirement ceremony for Dean of Faculty Armacost, Sept. 13

The U.S. Air Force Academy will host an official retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost (seen here), dean of the faculty, Sept. 16, 2019. Armacost will retire from the Air Force after 30 years of military service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) Staff reports, Sept. 11, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy will celebrate Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost's tenure as  dean of the faculty and his 30-year active duty career with an official retirement ceremony, Sept. 13 in Arnold Hall. Armacost, the Academy’s 10th dean, was nominated to that position in May 2013 by President...

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September 11, 2019

Academy cadet shares 9/11 story

Story by Jennifer Spradlin, Sept. 11, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Eighteen years ago, in the midst of the 9/11 attacks, terrorists slammed a hijacked Boeing 757 into the Pentagon. Hanna Born, now a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and her infant sister Heather, were in daycare when the plane tore through the west side of the building. Hanna was 3 years old. Service members from inside the Pentagon rushed to the daycare and evacuated the children. Born described how they carried cribs with multiple infants for half-a-mile and guarded the children until military police officers could...

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September 10, 2019

AF Academy cadets compete for 1st time in reserve officers’ competition in Estonia

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Ethan Haley prepares his sling during the rifle marksmanship portion of the international military competition. United States service members participated in the 2019 Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Military Competition Commission in Tallinn, Estonia, Aug 4-10, 2019. (Staff Sgt. Nina Ramon )  205th Press Camp Headquarters By Ray Bowden, Sept. 10, 2019 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. -- Two cadets and an officer at the Air Force Academy helped Team USA win several medals at a military challenge in Estonia last month. Cadets Ethan Haley and Thomas Walker, and Lt. Col. Rob Marshall, competed in...

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