The U.S. Air Force Academy earned a maximum 10-year accreditation after undergoing a comprehensive and intense evaluation by a team of distinguished leaders in higher education April 27-29. During its visit, the eight-member team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools reviewed the Academy's ongoing ability to meet the commission's criteria for accreditation. - continued - 11 May 2009
Cadet-designed rocket launches
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
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
CMSAF engages with Academy members
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
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
'59ers Revel, Renew Friendships, Share Stories
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