• Former POW recalls deprivation, endurance

    We shall never forget. We will always remember. Servicemembers and civilians gathered Sept. 18 at the Falcon Club to remember the 88,000 U.S. servicemembers recorded as missing or unaccounted for since World War II during the POW/MIA Observance traditionally held the third Friday of

  • USAFA Downrange: 'Our work here is necessary'

    Serving with a medical embedded training team at Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan is something of a change of pace for the 10th Medical Support Squadron's Pharmacy Flight commander. As a mentor to the Afghan National Army's pharmacy at Kandahar Regional Military Hospital, or KRMH,

  • Regular eye exams keep life in focus

    Things looking a little fuzzy or foggy? Can't read street names? Can't read the crawlers at the bottom of the TV screen? Having trouble focusing on close-up tasks? It may be time for an eye exam. "I recommend eye exams every one or two years," said Capt. Loralie Hodges, an optometrist with the 10th

  • Families join cadets for Parents' Weekend festivities

    For preppies and cadets alike, it was a chance to relax, get away from school and visit with the folks, perhaps for the first time since climbing on the bus during inprocessing. The Academy's annual Parents' Weekend kicked off Sept. 4 with the opportunity for cadets and their parents to have

  • Sather Airmen say farewell to fallen comrade

    "Lieutenant Helton?" Silence. "Lieutenant Helton?" Silence. "First Lieutenant Joseph Dennis Helton Jr." Silence. Today was the final roll call for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 flight commander, who perished when a roadside bomb detonated

  • Player development starts with officer development

    "A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things worthwhile, it can be done." These words came from Vince

  • Remembering Inprocessing: 'Just take a little off the top'

    For most of the Class of 2013, as for classes before them, in-processing represents a culture shock like none before it. One event that produces an immediate result in this vein is the haircut station, where military style is imposed on basic cadets. Basic cadets shuffled in from the hallway,

  • Remembering Inprocessing: Footprints -- the first impression

    "Get off my bus!" It's the last command the Basic Cadets of 2013 heard before stepping into the next phase of their lives. Although many may have been relieved to get off the bus, they had no idea what was awaiting them. One basic expressed his relief to "finally get away from that bus," but little

  • Remembering Inprocessing: 'Twas the ride of their lives

    After the final tears and hugs were exchanged at Doolittle Hall, the Class of 2013 boarded the buses that carried them to the start of their Air Force careers. Once the newly appointed class boarded the buses their military lives began. Seeing others' nervous faces, the basics began their first step

  • Remembering Inprocessing: Day 1 included saying 'goodbye'

    June 25, 2009, marked the beginning for more than 1,300 new cadets of the Class of 2013. The beginning of Basic Cadet Training is an enormous shift for the new members of the Long Blue Line, and the impact was visible on all of their faces. Expressions showed anxious anticipation, hope and a fear of