May 29, 2020

Update: AF Academy extends public health emergency, continues to reopen

Story by Ray Bowden, May 29, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy prolonged its public health emergency until Aug. 18. Originally slated to expire May 23, the base extended its public health emergency based on information from the Defense Department and State of Colorado, according to the school’s superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria. “As we slowly open back up, we need to reanalyze our risk and make smart and safe decisions,” he said. The base first declared a public health emergency March 23 due to the COVID-19 threat, and elevated the Academy's health protection condition...

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May 18, 2020

United Launch Alliance launches 6th orbital test vehicle for U.S. Space Force; project contains satellite built by Air Force Academy cadets

United launch Alliance, May 18, 2020 CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 501 rocket carrying the USSF-7 mission for the U.S. Space Force lifted off from Cape Canaveral May 17. This marks the 84th successful launch of an Atlas V rocket, 139th launch for ULA, the second launch for the U.S. Space Force and sixth flight of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle or “OTV-6.” “The success of this mission resulted from collaboration with our customer while working through challenging, and ever changing, health and safety conditions,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of government...

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May 18, 2020

‘I-Day’ Update: Academy preps for arrival of class of 2024

By Ray Bowden, May 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy’s superintendent announced May 7 that the school is preparing for the June arrival of its next class of cadets. “We’re establishing quarantine guidance, testing, and restriction of movement policies that mirror the guidelines and policies of the Defense Department and State of Colorado,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy’s superintendent. Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, commandant of cadets, said despite the coronavirus outbreak posing more than a few challenges to the school and U.S. military at large, the Academy’s military and academic training continues....

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May 6, 2020

Air Force Academy satellite to launch aboard X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, May 6, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A satellite built by Air Force Academy cadets will launch into space May 16 aboard the X-37B, Orbital Test Vehicle sponsored by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and built by Boeing. This is the first time a satellite built and designed by cadets will catch a ride into space aboard the X-37B. (See the May 6 report from the Secretary of the Air Force about the launch here: https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2177702/next-x-37b-orbital-test-vehicle-scheduled-to-launch) Lt. Col. Dan Showalter, assistant astronautics professor at the Academy, said “as novel as this...

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April 27, 2020

Public health emergency at Academy extended for 30 days, some restrictions lifted May 1

Story by Ray Bowden, April 27, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- After the base commander extended the public health emergency at the Air Force Academy until May 23, Col. Brian Hartless, 10 Air Base Wing Commander, also announced he intends to reopen parts of the base, a move in line with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ “safer at home” order. Polis announced his order to govern the phased reopening of some businesses in the state April 26. Hartless said barring any uptick in the number of coronavirus cases in Colorado Springs, El Paso County or the State, and pending further...

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April 18, 2020

Graduation Day: Air Force Academy celebrates Class of 2020

Story by Ray Bowden, photos by Staff Sgt. J.T. Armstrong, April 18, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Graduation for the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2020 may have been different from what cadets originally expected, but the ceremony on the terrazzo April 18 contained all the trappings and formality you’d expect the school to deliver. Vice President Mike Pence changed his plans amid the global COVID-19 pandemic to give the commencement address, the Thunderbirds flew over, and 967 new officers closed-out their four years at the school by hurling their caps into the air at the end of...

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September 25, 2020

A dream come true

Commentary by Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, Sept. 25, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- I am humbled and honored to take command as the 21st Air Force Academy Superintendent. It really is a dream come true! I want to personally thank Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria for his incredible 35 years of selfless service, and especially his exceptional leadership over the last three years here at the Academy. The change of command ceremony represented a very special day for my family and me. To come back where my career started, to see and thank my family, friends and mentors, and...

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October 2, 2020

Academy unveils 20th superintendent’s portrait

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, photo by Joshua Armstrong, Oct. 2, 2020 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria (left), and Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, reveal Silveria’s portrait in Arnold Hall, Oct. 1. Silveria was the Academy superintendent from August 2017-September 2020 and retires from his 35-year career in the Air Force later this year. Portraits of all the school’s superintendents are displayed in Arnold Hall.

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October 13, 2021

Academy prep school commander stays ‘Husky Strong’ in battle with cancer

Colonel Melissa Youderian, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. (Courtesy photo) Story by Ray Bowden, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Melissa Youderian donated her long hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit for children suffering hair loss, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “Though it was a deliberate decision and I thought it would be uplifting to donate my hair before the treatment took it, I had tears running down my face the entire haircut,” she said. “It was one of those ‘this is actually happening’ moments.” Youderian is a...

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July 30, 2021

Update: AF Academy reopens to public Aug 2

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force Academy will open to the public August 2, nearly 17 months after closing to all but official business to safeguard its community during the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re excited to welcome the community back to the U.S. Air Force Academy,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the school’s superintendent. “I’m proud of our Academy team for their incredible work to ensure a safe, successful environment for our cadets, faculty and families. Cadets have been back since last fall and we’ve learned to work in an environment focused...

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