February 9, 2024

Cadets look to patent gaze-assisted wheelchair technology

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Sam Smith prepares for another test of the gaze-assisted wheelchair, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering capstone project, Feb. 1, 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. - When Col. Brian Neff arrived in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2018, he wanted his assistive technology laboratory filled with projects that would captivate cadets. The following year, Neff began the gaze-assisted wheelchair project for senior capstone students. “I wanted cadets to see themselves contributing to...

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January 29, 2024

Therapy dogs bring smiles; reduce cadet stress

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 4th Class Eri McClain-Yu holds Go Team Therapy Crisis and Airport Dog Spiff in McDermott Library Dec. 11, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Cadet 3rd Class Nicolina Brown said she loves Go Team Therapy Crisis and Airport Dogs so much that she has a perfect answer whenever she's late meeting friends. "I say, ‘you can't blame me; there was a dog,'" Brown said. For 12 years, therapy dogs from Go Team have regularly visited the Academy. They...

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September 29, 2023

English professor motivated by her love of storytelling

Lt. Col. Jessica Lopez is a Class of 2004 graduate and a U.S. Air Force Academy Department of English and Fine Arts assistant professor and deputy head of the Department of English and Fine Arts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Randy Roughton  U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.– U.S. Air Force Academy assistant professor Lt. Col. Jessica Lopez flew in multiple military operations all over the world, but one passion led her on a different career path. She loves stories. ‘Stories matter’ “Stories matter,” said Lopez, a Department of English and Fine...

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November 13, 2023

Program opens Academy admission for enlisted

Kiana Baruela, pictured here as a prior-enlisted Airman first class at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, graduated from Basic Military Training Jan. 14, 2016. Baruela, now a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet first class, earned her appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program. (Photo provided by Cadet 1st Class Kiana Baruela) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- In 2018, then-Senior Airman Kiana Baruela was on track for a successful U.S. Air Force health management career, but she had one concern. She wanted to be an officer. Fortunately, Baruela’s attitude and leadership...

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October 10, 2023

Cadet AI research today leads to innovation tomorrow

Cadet 1st Class Samuel Brennen demonstrates brain-computer interface technology in the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences September 28, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)  By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications  U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- It sounds like something straight out of Hollywood’s latest blockbuster—Airmen controlling drones with their minds.  But rather than being complete science fiction, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences cadets work to make it science fact.  Capstone research in artificial intelligence Cadet 1st Class Kayleb Klapp is just one of the cadets...

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October 10, 2023

Cadets develop cyber skills in classroom and competition

U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences cadets and faculty pose with the 2023 National Security Agency Cyber Exercise Trophy August 28, 2023. The department won the trophy for the second consecutive 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.- U.S. Air Force Academy cyber and computer sciences cadets hone their skills in the classroom and competitions against the best computer hackers in the world. A superior cyber education The Academy continues to be a leader in cyber education with one of the...

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October 20, 2023

Cadet survivors find outlet in weekly support group

Sexual assault is a direct violation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Honor Code Oath. Sexual assault survivors and supporters meet weekly in the Cadet Wing’s Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Cadets in recovery from sexual assault have a support group where they can meet safely to share common experiences and coping skills. Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers The Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group meets weekly at a private time and place in the Cadet...

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October 25, 2023

Cadets urge survivors to ‘Take Back the Night’

The U.S. Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response table awaits cadets entering the Arnold Hall Ballroom for Take Back the Night Oct. 24, 2023. (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 200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, faculty and staff supported sexual assault survivors in taking control of their trauma at Take Back the Night in Arnold Hall Oct. 24, 2023. Support and empowerment Take Back the Night is the oldest worldwide stand against sexual violence, with the first event in the U.S....

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October 31, 2023

Flying Team wins 37th consecutive region title

A U.S. Air Force Academy Precision Flying Team pilot flies a T-51A Deathhawk during the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region I Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference 2023 competition at Davis Airfield Oct. 10, 2023. The Flying Team has won the regional championship every year since 1987. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- The U.S. Air Force Academy Precision Flying Team members captured their 37th consecutive National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region I Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference championship. The Academy has won the competition every year...

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October 27, 2023

Professor embraces language-culture connection

Dr. Pete Swanson, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Foreign Languages associate Spanish professor, takes a moment before a scheduled appointment with a cadet Oct. 5, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Domingos) By Randy Roughton  U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.– U.S. Air Force Academy Spanish professor Dr. Pete Swanson has a simple educational philosophy that echoes that of the Department of Foreign Languages mission: “From the Classroom to the field to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.” “We want to see the best in the cadets,” Swanson...

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