The show goes on ...

Fireworks explode over the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel during the Independence Day fireworks show at the Air Force Academy July 4, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/J. Rachel Spencer)

Former superintendent remembered for 'Great Escape' efforts

The tunnel pictured here allowed 76 Allied prisoners of war to escape Stalag Luft III in 1944. Lt. Gen. A. P. Clark played a critical role in this escape by managing the production of clothing, false travel papers, compasses, maps and other tools while in the POW camp to give his fellow prisoners the best possible chance of escape. (courtesy photo/Air Force Academy Special Collections)

Artist builds scale-model chapel from toothpicks

Artist Stan Munro called Stephen "Pete" Peterson, the Cadet Chapel's public relations director, earlier in October 2009 regarding a 1:164 scale model of the famed chapel ... made of toothpicks. (Courtesy photo)

Academy physics payload conducts experiments in space

Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 2 is released from the Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay by STS-127 crewmembers July 30, 2009. ANDE-2 consists of two spherical microsatellites, named Castor and Pollux, that will measure density and composition of the low-Earth orbit atmosphere while being tracked from the ground. The satellites' mission payload includes a plasma sensor called the Integrated Miniaturized Electrostatic Analyzer, which was developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy's Physics Department. (NASA photo)

China trip creates lasting impressions

A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet took this photo of the Great Wall of China during a cultural immersion visit May 13-29. The trip allowed cadets to experience the nation's culture and society in depth. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Maj. Patrick Castle)

Ghost Town Museum recalls life in golden era

The Ghost Town Museum?s General Store is typical of Gold Rush-era merchandising, which featured everything from clothing and kitchen utensils to food staples and china. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Patton)

Air Force Week

Cadet 1st Class Ilea Eskildsen, U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Parachute Demonstration Team, parachutes down to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., with the American Flag during the "The Show of Force 2007, From Heritage to Horizons Air Show" March 24. The two-day air show attracted thousands of spectators, featured Air Force static displays, and included civilian and military arial demonstrations. The show was part of Air Force Week, a week-long event designed to highlight the amazing things the Air Force is doing around the globe and to show appreciation to the local community for its support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

Manta Airmen score home run with community

Alfonso Ribot (right) inventories donated baseball equipment inside a warehouse alongside 478th Expeditionary Operations Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Javier Delucca (second from right) and two Dyncorp employees. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Chris Hemrick)

Triumph over Tragedy

Cadet 2nd Class Erik Mirandette talks to a packed auditorium at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cadet Mirandette was injured in a terrorist bombing in Cairo, Egypt while on a humanitarian mission delivering medicine to small towns across Africa. The bombing killed his younger brother Alex. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. John Ross)

Military Appreciation Day

Baseball fans cheered and expressed their appreciation as the 920th Rescue Wing opened a March 8 Washington Nationals Spring Training Game by landing on the field and dropping off the wing commander, Col. Steve Kirkpatrick escorted by two pararescuemen, to throw out the first pitch. After the pitch, Col. Kirkpatrick and the two PJs were greeted by the pitcher then walked off the field to a flurry a "military fans" who cheered them on.

Thunderbird pilot talks to cadets on importance of teamwork

Major Nicole Malachowski an Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team pilot gives a speech at the Air Force Academy's 14th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium March 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Major Malachowski, a 1996 academy graduate, spoke to academy cadets and local area highschool students about teamwork and diversity in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joel Strayer)

Thunderbird pilot talks to cadets on importance of teamwork

Major Nicole Malachowski an Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team pilot gives a speech at the Air Force Academy's 14th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium March 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Major Malachowski, a 1996 academy graduate, spoke to academy cadets and local area highschool students about teamwork and diversity in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joel Strayer)