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...

Continue Reading Cadets survey stars in nighttime sky

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...

Continue Reading Cadets unveil Class of 2024 official painting

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....

Continue Reading Cadets look to the future at 100s Night celebration

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...

Continue Reading Former navigator guides cadets on path to success

January 29, 2026

Academy to welcome new Dean of the Faculty

Col. James M. Valpiani announced as the new Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy By U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Department of the Air Force has named Col. James M. Valpiani as the institution’s next Dean of the Faculty. This selection reinforces the Academy’s standing as a nationally-recognized leader in higher education and its mission to forge leaders of character, motivated to a lifetime of service, and developed to lead the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force as they fight and win the nation’s wars. Lt. Gen....

Continue Reading Academy to welcome new Dean of the Faculty