Air Force Academy holds Independence Day bash

A visitor to the Air Force Academy's 2011 Fourth of July celebration tests his rock-climbing skills on a rock wall. The Academy partnered with Colorado Springs, Colo., to host the event, which drew more than 20,000 people. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Air Force Academy holds Independence Day bash

A mother and child slide down an inflatable attraction during the Air Force Academy's Independence Day celebration at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 4, 2011. The event, which featured a fireworks show and performances by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Air Force Academy Band, drew more than 20,000 visitors from the local area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Engineering camp attracts, inspires students

Alex Pressier attempts to steer C Flight's raft after it fell apart in the water during a Society of American Military Engineers camp held at the Air Force Academy June 25, 2011. Students who attend the SAME camp at the Academy must prove their intent to join a service academy after graduating from high school. Alex is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Engineering camp attracts, inspires students

Robert Lansing loses his balance on a makeshift raft as other members of his flight watch during a Society of American Military Engineers camp at the Air Force Academy June 25, 2011. SAME camps introduce high schoolers to engineering principles using a "build first, design later" strategy. Robert is a native of Menands, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Inprocessing: Today's blur is tomorrow's memory

Airmen with the Air Force Academy's 10th Medical Group create medical records for basic cadets during inprocessing at the Academy June 25, 2011. Agencies with the 10th Air Base Wing provide logistical and personnel support for the one-day processing of more than 1,100 basic cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Inprocessing: Today's blur is tomorrow's memory

Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Zachary Crippen instructs a basic cadet to keep his eyes forward during the bus ride from Doolittle Hall to the Terrazzo June 25, 2011. Cadet Crippen is a cadre member assigned to Cadet Squadron 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Chemistry Olympiad

First Year Mentor Dr. Kelli Slunt works with New York native Tayyab Shah, 17, in the lab during the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy. This camp has been held at the Academy every year since 1983 and it prepares students for the International Chemistry Olympiad. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Megan Davis)

Chemistry Olympiad

Indiana high school student Rebecca Chen studies her instructions carefully working in the lab at the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy. This camp has been held at the Academy every year since 1983 and it prepares students for the International Chemistry Olympiad. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Megan Davis)

USAFA "Deployed Ops"

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Keegan Peckham and USAFA Cadet 2nd Class Elliot Unseth prepare the pallets for bundles by stringing them with fastening straps while working with the U.S. Army Riggers detachment June 18, 2011, in Southwest Asia. Cadets Peckham and Unseth are taking part in "Deployed Ops", a summer program that sends Academy cadets to deployed locations to follow officers in different career fields and to gain an understanding of career responsibilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cadet 1st Class Shaina Thompson)

USAFA "Deployed Ops"

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Jordan Wittman pulls on straps to ensure the cargo bundle is securely fastened to the pallet while working with U.S. Army Riggers June 18, 2011, in Southwest Asia. Cadet Wittman is taking part in "Deployed Ops", a summer program that sends Academy cadets to deployed locations to follow officers in different career fields and to gain an understanding of career responsibilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cadet 1st Class Shaina Thompson)

Cadets learn about CE deployed ops in readiness lab

Cadet 2nd Class Nicholas Espinoza and Navy Midshipman Clinton Spencer conduct a stress test on a concrete beam during the Air Force Academy's Field Engineering Readiness Laboratory June 7, 2011. The beams are designed to withstand a load of approximately 5,100 pounds per square inch. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ray McCoy)

Cadets learn about CE deployed ops in readiness lab

Cadet 2nd Class Dustin Wilson cuts lumber for a wood structure construction project during the Air Force Academy's Field Engineering Readiness Laboratory June 1, 2011. FERL is a three-week summer course designed to teach cadets how to perform civil and bioenvironmental engineering projects in austere locations. Cadet Wilson is assigned to Cadet Squadron 04. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)