August 10, 2017

1,181 complete basic training, join Cadet Wing

By Maureen Welch/Aug. 10, 2017 It's official: nearly 1,200 young men and women completed Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy and start the academic year Aug. 10. The Class of 2021 officially became “cadets” Aug. 9 during the Academy’s annual Acceptance Day ceremony which represents a symbolic shift from the status of basic trainee to cadet fourth class. Cadet 4th Class Luke Kilianski said he’s eager to begin the school year. “Today was very uplifting to get recognized by the wing,” he said. “‘Basic’ is finally over and it’s a huge relief to go into the academic year.”...

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August 11, 2017

Lt Gen Jay Silveria takes command of Academy

By Ray Bowden/Aug. 11, 2017 The new superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy said preparing cadets for the mental and physical rigors of modern warfare in a complex global environment is his top priority, Aug. 11. “The future of our service and the future of our nation stand on that field,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, speaking to 4,000 cadets standing in formation during that day's change of command ceremony. Silveria said the commitment of the Academy’s civilian and military faculty and staff represents the bulwark of national security. The dedication of cadets and staff is critical to fulfilling...

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August 15, 2017

‘Get out the vote’ for In the Stairwell on America’s Got Talent, Aug 15

By Maureen Welch/Aug. 15, 2017 Cadets can propel In the Stairwell to the semifinals on America’s Got Talent by voting for the Air Force Academy’s all-male a Capella group Aug. 15-16. Voting begins at 6 p.m. (MT), Aug. 15, and ends 5 a.m. (MT), Aug. 16. Viewers can check the local listings for broadcast times for the group’s nationally-televised performance and cast a vote. “We are ready to fly,” said In the Stairwell vocalist Benjamin Hightower. “We are going to do our best and hope America supports us.” Top of Form In the Stairwell advanced to the show’s quarterfinals Aug....

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August 17, 2017

New superintendent discusses vision for Academy

By Ray Bowden/Aug. 17, 2017 The top officer at the Air Force Academy shared his goals and priorities with staff and faculty at a vision-based Aug. 17 “all call” in Arnold Hall. Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria said the first two of his three goals is increasing the Academy’s culture of innovation and fostering a culture of continual assessment and feedback. “We have to be hard on ourselves,” he said, referring to what he said is the need for clear and honest evaluations of Academy processes. Silveria said his third goal is growing the Academy’s culture of respect and dignity. “If...

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August 18, 2017

Resiliency training equips Airmen for hurdles

By Laurie Wilson/Aug. 18, 2017 The Air Force Academy trained Airmen from the Academy and Peterson Air Force Base for roles as Master Resilient Trainers during a five-day training program in Polaris Hall, Aug. 14-18, 2017. Community Support Program Manager Scott Andrews said the program is designed to help Airmen balance their duties with any challenges of life-problems. “There are times in Airmen’s lives when the constant pressure to balance personal, team and career demands seems like a never-ending fast-paced treadmill,” he said. “It can be easy to become overwhelmed.” In total, 45 airmen learned what’s required to help them...

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August 18, 2017

Update: In the Stairwell advances to America’s Got Talent semifinals

By Maureen Welch/Aug. 18, 2017 In the Stairwell advanced to NBC’s America’s Got Talent semi-final round Aug. 16, following the group's live performance a day earlier. “It is an honor to wear this uniform on this stage. It’s an honor to be here,” In the Stairwell vocalist Benjamin Hightower said during the results show. The Air Force Academy’s all-male a Capella group performed a rendition of pop-group Fun’s “Some Nights” during the live show. Judge Simon Cowell said In the Stairwell is “the most improved act.” Formed in 2004, In the Stairwell began as a group of freshmen cadets who,...

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August 21, 2017

233 graduate Prep School basic training

By Ray Bowden/Aug. 21, 2017 Scores of young adults earned the title “cadet candidate” by completing basic training at the Air Force Academy Prep School Aug. 5. In all, 233 Basic Military Training graduates attended a ceremony in front of Prep School staff, and their peers and relatives. Master Sgt. Matt Acevedo, military trainer, said the most noticeable change in cadet candidates’ behavior during the 18-day course, is their appreciation for teamwork. “They recognize they’re no longer individuals,” he said. “They know they still have a challenging 10 months ahead of them, with academics, military training and physical fitness, to...

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August 23, 2017

’08 grad earns Jabara Award

By Ray Bowden/Aug. 23, 2017 A combat pilot received a high-level award given to U.S. Air Force Academy graduates, Aug. 25. Capt. Brian Guyette was selected to receive the Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship acknowledging graduates’ superior performance with aircraft. The award is named after Col. James Jabara, the first U.S. jet ace. Jabara shot down multiple Soviet MiG-15 jets during the Korean War, with his first aerial victory occurring April 3, 1951. A month later, he scored his fifth and sixth victories. That fifth victory made him America’s first jet ace. He eventually scored 15 victories to become...

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August 24, 2017

AF selects 46 USAFA Airmen for promotion to staff sergeant

  By U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/Aug. 24, 2017 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. – Forty-six members stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy have been selected for promotion to staff sergeant. Overall, there were 14,181 selected to enter the non-commissioned officer ranks out of 32,006 eligible, for a selection rate of 44.31 percent. Those selected for staff sergeant will be promoted beginning Sept. 1, according to their promotion sequence number. For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to myPers: https://mypers.af.mil/. 10th Air Base Wing Tyler Alexander Erin Barriga Evan Bauder Christopher Blackmon James Blashka Blake Boren Travis...

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August 29, 2017

Breaking Barriers: 70 years of success

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, Aug. 29, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force celebrates its 70th birthday this year and its seven decades of breaking barriers. The Air Force Academy has made many contributions to our service’s legacy of advancing technology and innovation and developing leaders of character for our nation. We're proud to highlight the achievements of the men and women on the our faculty and staff and the diverse array of nearly-50,000 cadets who have graduated and continued to break even more barriers. Unless specified otherwise, "graduate" refers specifically to graduates of the...

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