Academy conducts Commandant's Challenge 2006

Air Force Academy cadets react during an exercise scenario in a mock war zone in nearby Jacks Valley Nov. 19 during the annual Commandant's Challenge at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cadet 2nd Class Erinn Woodside)

Aviation Nation at Nellis

Master Sgt. Gino Mattorano of the U.S. Air Force Academy shows a young air show spectator a Falcon mascot named "Cody" Nov. 11 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Aviation Nation 2006 is one of the largest aviation events in North America. The show was held Nov. 11 and 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Tuskegee Airmen

Second Lt. Jarod Gilmer speaks with Isaiah Steele of Surprise, Ariz., about the Air Force Academy during the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 35th Annual National Convention in Phoenix on Aug. 3. The organization exposes minority youth to aviation and aerospace technology. Lieutenant Gilmer is an academy admission adviser. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Francisco V. Govea II)

Academy cadets spin Wheel of Fortune

Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Doug Presley racks up points during his Wheel of Fortune taping March 25. Cadet Presley will appear on the show that airs May 15 during Wheel of Fortune's College Week. Cadet Presley is an astronautical engineering major. Cadet 2nd Class Casey Probst (not pictured) will be on the show that airs May 18. (Courtesy photo/Carol Kaelson)

944th Fighter Wing Day at the ballpark

Col. William Binger, 944th Operations Group commander, throws out the first pitch at a Cactus League Spring Training baseball game March 26 in Surprise, Ariz. The Texas Rangers took on the Milwaukee Brewers at "944th Fighter Wing day" at the ballpark. More than 350 members of the 944th Fighter Wing, a reserve unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., received free tickets to the game. (U.S. Air Force Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Susan Stout)

Academy superintendent

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Lt. Gen. John F. Regni -- a 1973 academy graduate -- became the 17th superintendent here Oct. 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joel Strayer)

General Myers addresses academy cadets

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the U.S. Air Force Academy's 12th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium here Feb. 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Danny Meyers)

Big Brother reunites with 'little'

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY -- Lt. Col. Joseph Hunt (left) and Cadet 2nd Class Xzavior Hill attend a football game here Nov.13. Colonel Hill is the inspector general for the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Cadet Hill was paired with Colonel Hunt in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program when he was a child. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Putz)

Values added

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Air Force Academy cadets walk along the terrazzo as contractors attach the first letters of the Air Force core values to the ramp. Air Force leaders decided in 2003 that the poetic reference "Bring me men ..." was out of step with the current Air Force culture and offensive to many people. The core values are: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. The base of the ramp is where new cadets take their first steps into the academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ken Wright)

Values added

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Curious Air Force Academy cadets peer over a granite wall to watch contractors attach the Air Force core values to the ramp of the academy's terrazzo. Air Force leaders decided in 2003 that the poetic reference "Bring me men ..." was out of step with the current Air Force culture and offensive to many people. The core values are: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. The base of the ramp is where new cadets take their first steps into the academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ken Wright)

Pass in review

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- An F/A-22 Raptor flies over the graduation parade here June 1. It was flown by Lt. Col. Dawn Dunlop, a graduate of the academy's Class of 1988. She is now a test pilot and squadron operations officer at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., with nearly 100 hours of flying time in the Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Armer)

Falcon Fiesta

SAN ANTONIO -- Cadet 3rd Class Michael Cepak and Destiny, a gyrfalcon and U.S. Air Force Academy mascot, address the crowd outside the Alamo here April 19. Cadet Cepak and Destiny traveled from Colorado to San Antonio to take part in the city's annual Fiesta celebration and teach people about the academy and its falcon mascots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Tammy Cournoyer)

Academy stamp unveiled

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The commemorative 37-cent stamp honors the U.S. Air Force Academy's 50 years of service to the nation. It was unveiled at a ceremony here April 1 by U.S. Postal Service officials. (Courtesy graphic)

Cannone and Aurora

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet Anthony Cannone trains Aurora, a gyr falcon and academy mascot. The 11 birds in the falconry program here were vaccinated against the West Nile virus after seven magpies were found dead on campus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ken Wright)