WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. -- Air Force Academy cadets helped support Air Force space programs with the launch of a rocket from White Sands Missile Range early April 17. - continued - 5 May 2009
Appointees get ins and outs of Academy life
In one of the largest appointee orientations in the Academy’s history, members of the Class of 2013 got a healthy dose of what to expect of their first year on the Academy. Close to 1,000 appointees, their families and friends attended briefings in Arnold Hall Monday for the opening day of the first appointee orientation. The event, spread over two days, will be repeated next Monday and Tuesday and again April 27 and 28. - continued - 5 May 2009
VICE-PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT AIR FORCE ACADEMY GRADUATION
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., -- Vice President Joe Biden will be the guest speaker for this year’s graduation ceremony, the White House announced Friday. This will be Vice President Biden’s first visit to the Air Force Academy in this role. Graduation for the 1,000 members of the Academy’s Class of 2009 is May 27, starting at 10 a.m. in Falcon Stadium. Further details will be provided when available. 21 April 2009
The 15th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visited the Air Force Academy April 2 to provide a leadership perspective to the graduating Class of 2009 and cadet candidates. This was the second such visit for the Air Force’s top enlisted member, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. - continue - 14 April 2009
Academy space fleet continues to grow
The Academy’s space fleet grows even larger this year, with the launch of one satellite, continued operations of a second satellite and design work underway for a third. The newest addition will be FalconSAT-6, which is on the drawing board now. The FalconSAT space fleet is a series of cadet-designed and cadet-built satellites, which carry scientific experiments in space to further military and academic research. - continue - 14 April 2009
Academy Honors Glenn as T.D. White Award Recipient
Marine, test pilot, astronaut and four-term U.S. Senator John H. Glenn, Jr. was honored Wednesday as he became the recipient of the 2008 Thomas D. White National Defense Award. Named in honor of Gen. Thomas Dresser White, former Air Force chief of staff, it is presented annually to a U.S. citizen who has contributed significantly to the national defense and security. The first such award was presented in 1962. - continued - 28 April 2009
When then Secretary of the Air Force James Douglas addressed the Academy graduating Class of 1959, he applauded the advances in science and technology the new graduates would enjoy in the future. It was the last time the class came together as a whole. A half century later, well more than three-fourths of the 157 surviving members of the Class of 1959 returned to the Academy for their 50th reunion April 13 through 15 to visit with cadets, renew old friendships and, well, party. "It went wonderfully," said event organizer retired Lt. Col. Jim Brown. "We had a great time, and the class was pleased as they could be." Retired Maj. Gen. Pete Todd said it was the best reunion the class had ever had. "It was a happening," he quipped. - continued - 28 April 2009
ACADEMY BAND NAMED TOP U.S. MILITARY CONCERT BAND
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy Band was named the top military concert band in the Department of Defense. The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands to the Academy Band and its commander, Lt. Col. Larry H. Lang. - continued - 12 March 2009
MTI Shortage Creates Opportunity for NCOs
Qualified Air Force noncommissioned officers seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity are being sought from all corners of the globe. A severe shortage of Military Training Instructors has left a void in San Antonio that the Air Force is working diligently to fill. According to the 10th Mission Support Squadron's Career Assistance Advisor Master Sgt. Daniel Thompson, the influx of new Airmen entering the Air Force and recent BMT program expansion to eight and a half weeks, equates to more trainees in the pipeline thus a requirement for additional instructors. 9 February 2009
In less than two weeks, the 16th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium starts Feb. 19, with nationally-recognized leadership and motivational speakers visiting the Academy to inspire cadets and visiting students with their extraordinary life experiences. 9 February 2009
Cadets Experience Diversity At Majors' Night
What happens when the dean of the faculty, Brig. Gen. Dana Born, corrals representatives from 20 academic departments and staff agencies together for one big event known as Majors' Night. Quite simply, the dean harnesses the collective energies of a unique group of educators and upperclass cadets to provide a one-stop opportunity for undeclared cadets to learn about the 32 disciplinary academic majors, four divisional majors, and two minors available at USAFA. 9 February 2009