Commandant assignment 'a dream come true' for 1986 graduate

The Cadet Wing, led by Cadet 1st Class Megan Hoskins, salutes during the national anthem at the commandant of cadets' change-of-command ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 9, 2010. Brig. Gen. Richard Clark, the former vice commander of 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., succeeded Brig. Gen. Sam Cox as commandant.

Runners support homeless vets

Mike Olson runs with a POW-MIA flag during the Veterans Home Run 5k at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo., July 3, 2010. The annual event benefits the Crawford House, a non-profit organization serving homeless military veterans in Southern Colorado. (courtesy photo/Tom Dewane)

Academy graduate dies of injuries from Pave Hawk crash

Capt. David Wisniewski graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2002. Next to his yearbook photo, he included the quote, "To the heroes and families of 11 September 2001 I'll do my best to keep it from happening again." (U.S. Air Force photo)

Basic cadets swear oaths and begin training

Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Academy Band prepare for the Class of 2014's swearing-in ceremony at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 25, 2010. The Air Force Academy Band is one of 12 active-duty Air Force bands around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cathy Wedo)

Basic cadets swear oaths and begin training

The U.S. Air Force Academy Band performs for the Class of 2014 swearing-in ceremony at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 25, 2010. The Air Force Academy band, one of 12 active-duty Air Force bands around the world, is stationed at Peterson Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Basic cadets swear oaths and begin training

Basic cadets with the Class of 2014 swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and faithfully discharge their duties as cadets during a ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 25, 2010. The ceremony kicks off approximately six weeks of basic cadet training, which will conclude with another swearing-in ceremony Aug. 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Class of 2014 joins Long Blue Line

The Air Force Academy cadet cadre gets basic cadets to move quickly up the Core Values Ramp during Class of 2014 inprocessing at the Academy June 24, 2010. Nearly 1,300 basic cadets receive immunizations, military ID and Cadet Area access cards and receive haircuts and uniform items throughout the day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2014 joins Long Blue Line

Cadet 2nd Class James Colvin approaches a basic cadet during Class of 2014 inprocessing at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 24, 2010. The newest class comprises 1,274 basic cadets, including 350 minorities and 291 women. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2014 joins Long Blue Line

Cadet 2nd Class James Colvin motivates Basic Cadet Michael Craig to move quickly during Class of 2014 inprocessing at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 24, 2010. Basic Cadet Training begins June 25 and continues through July 31. The Class of 2014's first day of classes is Aug. 5. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Class of 2014 joins Long Blue Line

Basic Cadet Eduard Bucher steps off a bus in the Air Force Academy's Cadet Area as Class of 2014 inprocessing begins June 24, 2010. The Academy received more than 11,000 applications for the Class of 2014, up 17 percent from 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Academy superintendent attends Rodeo breakfast

The Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard kicks off the official portion of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo., with a presentation of the colors June 23, 2010. The Mounted Color Guard was originally organized in 1963 as a 32-person horse platoon designated Delta 1/10 Cavalry. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Academy superintendent attends Rodeo breakfast

John Bailey and Paula Gould talk during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs June 23, 2010. Mr. Bailey is the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo secretary. Mrs. Gould is the wife of Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Academy seeks to balance progress, preservation

Neal Cloud, a representative of the Southern Ute Tribe, and Dr. Jeff Blythe, of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, view a stone circle at an undisclosed archeological site at the Air Force Academy.(U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)

Kan. native spreads musical wings

First soprano and then-Cadet 2nd Class Jill Larson takes center stage as soloist during the Cadet Chorale?s annual rendition of Handel?s ?Messiah? in December 2008. Cadet Larson, a native of Dodge City, Kan., graduated and received her commission May 26, 2010, and will attend intelligence officer school. (U.S. Air Force photo/Cadet 3rd Class Jami Larson)

'Wolverines' win outstanding squadron honors

Cadet 1st Class Nathan Dial and Brig. Gen. Dana Born affix a 2010 Outstanding Squadron banner to Cadet Squadron 19's guidon during the Individual Awards Parade at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Stillman Parade Field May 24, 2010. Cadet Dial was the Fall 2009 Cadet Wing commander. General Born is the dean of the faculty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Graduation 2010

Newly commissioned second lieutenants throw their hats into the air to celebrate graduation in Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy May 26, 2010. The Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Team performed at the conclusion of the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Graduation 2010

Air Force Academy cadets listen as Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the commencement address at the Academy's Graduation 2010 Ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 26. Mullen's message to the 1,001 newly commissioned second lieutenants focused on duty and service to the country. (U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist Chad J. McNeeley)

Graduation 2010

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium for Graduation 2010 ceremony May 26. Admiral Mullen is the first Joint Chiefs chairman to deliver the Air Force Academy's commencement address. (U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist Chad J. McNeeley)

Graduation 2010

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen addresses the Air Force Academy's Class of 2010 and guests during the Academy's 2010 Graduation in Falcon Stadium May 26. Admiral Mullen is the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Joint Chiefs chairman to deliver the Academy's commencement address. (U.S. Air Force photo/J. Rachel Spencer)

Graduation 2010

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz introduces Navy Adm. Mike Mullen during Graduation at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 26, 2010. Admiral Mullen is the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Joint Chiefs chairman to deliver the commencement address at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Graduation 2010

Class of 2010 graduates salute for the national anthem at the commencement of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Graduation Ceremony May 26, 2010. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered the commencement address. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Aurora native wins inaugural Schulte award

Members of the Cadet Wing Honor Guard at the Air Force Academy post the colors for the inaugural Lieutenant Roslyn Schulte Cadet Character and Leadership Award ceremony in the Academy's McDermott Library May 25, 2010. The award, named in honor of 2006 graduate 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, recognizes the senior cadet who best exemplifies the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. Lieutenant Schulte was killed May 20, 2009, by a roadside bomb near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Aurora native wins inaugural Schulte award

Bob and Susie Schulte present Cadet 1st Class Mychol Alexander with the first Lieutenant Roslyn Schulte Award for Cadet Character and Leadership during a ceremony at the Air Force Academy's McDermott Library May 25, 2010. The award is named for Mr. and Mrs. Schulte's daughter, 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, who was killed by a roadside bomb near Kabul, Afghanistan, May 20, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)

Air force women's basketball coach named

Andrea Williams was named head Air force women's basketball coach May 24, 2010. Williams joins the Falcons after serving as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida for the past two seasons. She also held the positions of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the United States Naval Academy from 2002-2004.