February 26, 2024

West Monument Creek Fire burns on the U.S. Air Force Academy

The West Monument Creek Fire started on the U.S. Air Force Academy Sunday, Feb. 25 and continues to burn Monday. As of 4 p.m. Feb. 26, the fire had burned 168 acres and was not fully contained. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Crews from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, U.S. Forest Service and Fort Carson Directorate of Emergency Services fire departments continued Monday, Feb. 26 to fight the West Monument Creek Fire. As of Monday evening the fire had burned 168 acres and was...

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February 12, 2024

Cadet spends STEM Semester Exchange ‘Down Under’

Cadet 1st Class Zachary Curd returns to the U.S. Air Force Academy for his final semester after spending his fall on a STEM Cadet Semester Exchange Abroad Program with the Australian Defence Force Academy at the University of New South Wales, Canberra in Australia. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Rayna Grace) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – During U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Zachary Curd’s semester in Australia last fall, he enjoyed experiences ranging from formal dining-ins to attending a Women’s World Cup game and scuba diving the Great...

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February 13, 2024

‘Masters’ author visits the Cadet Wing

Cadet 2nd Class Andrew Fischer listens to Dr. Donald Miller during a lecture at the U.S. Air Force Academy Feb. 9, 2024. Miller is the author of “Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A few weeks after cadets viewed a special pre-screening of the first episode of “Masters of the Air” mini-series, they listened to a lecture from the author who wrote the book that inspired the show. Dr....

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February 14, 2024

Firstie Flag preps seniors for ‘future fight’

U.S. Air Force Academy first-class cadets march to Jacks Valley for field training during the second day of the Firstie Flag exercise Feb. 10, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – About 1,000 seniors took a significant step toward their roles as future officers during the Firstie Flag exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy Feb. 9-10. Firstie Flag is the Academy’s culminating exercise to prepare seniors or “firsties” for how their future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force specialty codes will factor...

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February 15, 2024

Cadets survey stars in nighttime sky

Cadet 2nd Class Brianna McVay, left, and Cadet 3rd Class Bethany Firooz watch as Cadet 3rd Class Ryan Kovacs makes minor modifications to the 0.5-meter Falcon telescope in the U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory Jan. 19, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – In the Department of Physics and Meteorology cadets keep watch over space through the 1-meter telescope in the U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory control room. Through the 1-meter telescope, cadets track hazardous near-Earth asteroids and other space objects, view supernovas, study...

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February 20, 2024

Cadets unveil Class of 2024 official painting

The U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2024 official painting was unveiled during the 100s Night Dining-in Feb. 15, 2024 at Mitchell Hall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Class of 2024 official painting depicts five elements representing the cadets’ four-year experience at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Among the painting’s features is a trio of F-22 Raptors in flight over the Terrazzo at sunset. The class unveiled their painting by artist Justin Hayward’s during a ceremony on 100s Night in Mitchell Hall...

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February 20, 2024

Cadets look to the future at 100s Night celebration

Cadets 1st Class Isaac Stewart, left, Noah Lewis and Blaze Williams receive notifications of their base assignments on 100s Night in Mitchell Hall Feb. 15, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – First-class cadets celebrated reaching the final 100 days before their graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a traditional formal dinner in Mitchell Hall Feb. 15. At the conclusion of the 100s Night Dining-in, Class of 2024 members learned of their post-graduation U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force base assignments....

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February 21, 2024

Former navigator guides cadets on path to success

Dr. Eric Tucker, U.S. Air Force Academy associate professor of management, continues teaching after a fire alarm interrupted his class on Jan. 16, 2024, at U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. His colleague, Dr. Steve Green, took the photo in admiration of Tucker’s dedication to teaching in sub-zero temperatures. (Courtesy photo) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Dr. Eric Tucker is the kind of professor who makes cadets “lean forward when he speaks,” according to Col. Troy Harting, U.S. Air Force Academy Management Department head. Tucker started his career as a navigator...

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March 1, 2024

Madera Cyber Innovation Center nears completion

The Madera Cyber Innovation Center is expected to open for cadet use in time for January 2025 despite weather delays to construction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Construction on the Madera Cyber Innovation Center here is close to completion and the center is expected to open for cadet use in time for January 2025, providing a vital training environment for cadets. Construction in a Colorado winter Its construction has been delayed in recent weeks due to typical Colorado weather of high winds, cold...

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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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