September 5, 2024

Institute for Future Conflict: transforming cadets into tomorrow’s warfighters

A cadet monitors activity during Firstie Flag in the Multi-Domain Laboratory Feb. 10, 2024. Firstie Flag is the U.S. Air Force Academy’s culminating exercise, designed to prepare Firstie cadets for how their future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force specialty codes will factor into future conflict. (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 early July, the Institute for Future Conflict director introduced the Class of 2028 to the current international political environment during their Basic Cadet Training. “President Xi Jinping wants the People’s...

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September 11, 2024

Academy hive has cadets looking out for them

Cadet 1st Class Sophia Leonard smiles as she examines bees from the U.S. Air Force Academy Beekeeping Club hive Aug. 28, 2024. Through the club’s interactive learning experiences, about 60 members gain and share a deep understanding of bee behavior, hive dynamics and responsible beekeeping practices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Each season offers a new priority for the U.S. Air Force Academy Beekeeping Club in their care of a hive of 60,000 Italian honeybees in the natural resources office by Falcon Stadium....

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June 6, 2024

Capstone team takes formula-style car to international competition

2nd Lt. (then Cadet 1st Class) Jacob Muscato prepares to head out for the final endurance race in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineering car at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, May 11, 2024. He was part of the first U.S. Air Force Academy team to finish the almost 14-mile race in seven years. (Courtesy photo provided by Dr. Ioan Feier) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s only cadet-designed and built human-raced vehicle capstone finished an impressive 69th out of a field of 108 cars...

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June 3, 2024

Academy superintendent retires after 38 years of service

Former U.S Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark speaks during his retirement ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 31, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The retirement of U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, marking the end of his 38 years of service, was commemorated in a ceremony held at Falcon Stadium here on May 31, 2024. Family members, peers, former cadets, Airmen and Guardians filled the seats on the floor of the stadium that bookended his career....

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September 19, 2024

Avionics NCO trades stripes for cadet education

Cadet 4th Class Caden Soper, pictured Sept. 12, 2024, received a U.S. Air Force Academy appointment through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Program. Soper was named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 while serving as an enlisted F-15 Eagle avionics system journeyman at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Ward) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A checklist that then-Senior Airman Caden Soper wrote during his first U.S. Air Force assignment outlined the steps necessary to accomplish his long-term goal —...

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May 17, 2024

People-centered cadet discovers new mindset at Academy

Cadet 1st Class Abigail Worley poses for a photo in Polaris Hall May 8, 2024. Worley will graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy May 30 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Vaughn) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When Cadet 1st Class Abigail Worley graduates May 30, she will leave the U.S. Air Force Academy with more than a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She will take a new set of leadership skills and teamwork mentality into her U.S. Air Force medical officer...

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April 25, 2024

Tonya Oxendine stresses support over silence

Wounded Warrior Project’s Warriors Speak spokesperson Tonya Oxendine speaks with Cadet 1st Class Nasir Rashid on stage at Arnold Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 22, 2024. The National Character and Leadership Symposium Bridge Event introduces the 2025 theme of “Warrior Ethos as Airmen and Guardians.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Wounded Warrior Project spokesperson Tonya Oxendine engaged U.S. Air Force Academy cadets in a fireside chat about the healing power of openness on April 22 at Arnold Hall Theater. Oxendine stressed...

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April 29, 2024

Civil engineer instructor provides hands-on experience

Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah White, the Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory superintendent, stands in front of the FERL entrance in Jacks Valley at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the foot of Jacks Valley, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 3,300-acre training complex, sits the practical component of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Requisite tools of the trade are neatly aligned in readiness for cadets in the program to begin hands-on training. Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah White oversees it...

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May 1, 2024

Admissions events draw almost 200 hopeful future cadets

U.S. Air Force Academy appointee Elias Phiri of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., poses with his uncle, Lweendo Chambwa, at the admissions photo station in Arnold Hall April 8, 2024. Almost 200 high school students and their family members visited the Academy during a series of Class of 2028 admissions events in April. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gaelle Ahl) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Almost 200 prospective cadets visited the U.S. Air Force Academy during six Class of 2028 admissions events in April. Appointees were offered a direct...

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May 2, 2024

Sponsor program spans generations

Sean and Nicole Gibson, as cadets, hold their sponsor family’s infant son while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997. (Courtesy photo) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Dr. Kimberly Gardner and Nicole Gibson both started at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996, the former as a professor and the latter a cadet. They came from the same small town in northwest Missouri, went to the same church, graduated from the same high school. Even though they hadn’t met previously, Gardner took Nicole in to provide a familiar home...

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