Cadets rescue 3 from likely drowning in Panama

Cadet 3rd Class Bryan Koening was one of four Air Force Academy cadets who rescued three Panamanians from drowning during a trip to Panama June 7. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Road construction on schedule

Employees with Rocky Mountain Asphalt remove pavement from the bridge on South Gate Parkway near Pine Drive June 15 as part of the ongoing repaving project scheduled for completion July 28. The $3.5-million project will replace 93,000 square yards of worn asphalt.

Visions of Valor portraits honor heroes

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and retired Col. Bernard Fisher unveil a portrait of Colonel Fisher during the Visions of Valor dedication at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 3. Pictured here (left to right) are Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, Academy superintendent; David McIntyre, CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Colonel Fisher, Secretary Donley and retired Cols. Leo Thorsness and Joe Jackson. Colonels Fisher, Thorsness and Jackson are all Congressional Medal of Honor recipients: Colonel Fisher is the first living Airman to receive the Medal of Honor, which he received for heroism during the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Visions of Valor display honors heroes

Retired Col. Leo Thorsness speaks at the dedication ceremony for the Visions of Valor exhibit at the U.S. Air Force Academy's McDermott Library in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 3. Colonel Thorsness, a "wild weasel" pilot who flew an F-105 Thunderchief in the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron during the Vietnam War, was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor while held by the North Vietnamese Army as a prisoner of war. He was released from captivity March 4, 1973, and retired that October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Academy competes in cyber-defense exercise

Cadets successfully defend a computer network against simulated intrusions during a Cyber-Defense Exercise April 24. The cyber exercise is a computer security competition designed to educate cadets about the role of information assurance in protecting critical information systems. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Academy competes in cyber-defense exercise

Cadet 4th Class Christopher Shields monitors intrusions into an Air Force Academy cadet-operated network during a Cyber-Defense Exercise April 24. Cadets spent four days defending their systems from personnel working for the National Security Agency's Information Assurance Directorate. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Around the Academy: Biggest Winners

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Todd Kobayashi weighs in Tuesday at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Health and Wellness Center as the conclusion of a 12-week program called "Fitness Challenge" approaches. The HAWC staff put approximately 230 participants on course toward healthier lifestyles through increased focus on diet and exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ken Carter)

Around the Academy: Not Forgotten

Members of the Air Force Academy community received a unique history lesson during a Holocaust remembrance gathering April 30 in the Arnold Hall Ballroom. The "rice project" included a teacher pouring rice into different piles on the floor; each pile represented a different genocide, and the grains of rice represented lives lost in each of the tragedies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Taking the Hill

Class of 2009 cadets dive into a fountain in the cadet area May 8 to celebrate finishing their final exams. Graduation is scheduled for May 27 at Falcon Stadium. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Taking the Hill

Class of 2009 cadets celebrate their last day of academic classes after "taking the hill" in the Cadet Area of the U.S. Air Force Academy May 8. Graduation is scheduled for May 27. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Cadets 'fired up' over historic weapons

Cadets fired several antique weapons, including the sniper rifle shown here, during the U.S. Air Force Academy History Club's annual historical weapons shoot at Jacks Valley May 2. The 10th Mountain Division Living History Group gave presentation on the unit's participation in World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Patton)

Prep school students honor sponsors' dedication

Cadet candidates and sponsors partake from a juice fountain during a sponsor appreciation reception in the U.S. Air Force Academy's Milazzo Club May 5. Anyone interested in sponsoring an Air Force Academy Preparatory School student should contact sponsor coordinator Cleo Griffith at 719-333-2583. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Patton)

Graduation Parade 2008

Cadets stand at attention during a graduation parade May 27 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. Military formation and drill are a regular part of life during a cadet's four-year stay at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo)

One drop at a time

A cadet conducts an experiment during a chemistry class at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cadets take seven classes each semester in order to graduate with bachelor degrees and Air Force commissions. (U.S. Air Force photo)

'Legends of Tuskegee' share history with cadets

Tuskegee Airmen pay honors to the American flag during U.S. Air Force Academy cadets' noon formation at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Academy's History Department invites the Tuskegee Airmen annually to share their history and experiences with cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

'Legends of Tuskegee' share history with cadets

Retired Col. Fitzroy "Buck" Newsum shows Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia to Cadets 3rd Class Bachar Satchell and Kyle Foley during a visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 24. Mr. Newsum, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, served under Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and then-Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. He was assigned to the 617th Bombardment Group during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

USAFA cadet, former 50th TFW pilot share two families

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet 1st Class Sean Andrews' father, Col. Bill Andrews (background, lower left), was one of a handful of prisoners of war during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Colonel Andrews was an EF-111 Raven and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot for the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn Air Base, Germany. Cadet Andrews hopes to follow in his father's footsteps, becoming an F-16 or F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter pilot. He will graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy May 30. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

USAFA cadet, former 50th TFW pilot share two families

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet 1st Class Sean Andrews will graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy here May 30. His father, former 50th Tactical Fighter Wing pilot Col. Bill Andrews, will pin on his second lieutenant bars at midnight the evening before the ceremony. Cadet Andrews hopes to follow in his father's footsteps, flying an F-16 Fighting Falcon or its next-generation counterpart, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Parent pin

U.S AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Randy Kinsey presents the Air Force Parent Pin to his parents, Cliff and Jill Kinsey of North Richland Hills, Texas. The pin was established by the Air Force to thank the parents of America's airmen for their support of their children's service. The lieutenant is one of 998 officers who were commissioned here May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken Wright)