Hindu cadets observe religious holiday

Sitaramacharyalu Gunturu and Srinivasacharya Gudimella prepare a Hindu altar for a Sri Ganesh Chaturthi observance in the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel Sept. 21, 2012. Gunturu and Gudimella are priests with the Sri Venkateswara Temple of Colorado, based in Castle Rock, Colo. The festival celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, one of the major gods in the Hindu religion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

Board of Visitors meets with Academy officials

The Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors traveled to the Academy Sept. 15, 2012, to learn more about ongoing missions and concerns. Pictured are, left to right: Dr. Thomas McKiernan, Fletcher Wiley, Alfredo Sandoval, Board Chair Ambassador Susan Schwab, retired Lt. Gen. Dick Jameson, Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones and Robin Hayes. Not pictured are retired Maj. Gen. Marcelite Harris, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.). (U.S. Air Force photo/Raymond McCoy)

Construction near Community Center continues on-schedule

Construction workers install curbing along Community Center Drive on Sept. 20, 2012. Construction along Community Center Drive and in the Base Exchange parking lot will add drainage pipes, inlets and curbs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carol Lawrence)

Music director reflects on 30 years at Academy

Dr. Joe Galema conducts the Cadet Chorale and Colorado Springs Philharmonic's performance of Handel's "Messiah" in the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel Dec. 2, 2011. Galema, the Cadet Chapel's music director and organist, started working at the Academy in September 1982. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

Academy observes AF's 65th birthday

Airman Stephanie Shishido salutes during a retreat ceremony honoring the Air Force birthday at the Air Force Academy's 10th Air Base Wing Headquarters Sept. 18, 2012. Shishido is a medical technician with the 10th Medical Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

Academy observes AF's 65th birthday

Lt. Col. Matthew Sandelier leads a formation in observing retreat at the Air Force Academy's 10th Air Base Wing Headquarters in honor of the Air Force birthday Sept. 18, 2012. Sandelier is the 10th Force Support Squadron deputy director. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

Academy cheerleaders encourage their team, community

Male cheerleaders run Air Force Academy flags across the field after an Air Force touchdown Sept. 1, 2012. Air Force defeated Idaho State in the Falcons' opening game of the season, 49-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Academy cheerleaders encourage their team, community

Air Force Academy cheerleaders perform a pyramid stunt during the Air Force home opener at Falcon Stadium Sept. 1, 2012. The varsity squad comprises six male and six female cadets who perform at every football game. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Going solo: Cadet makes Academy powered flight history

Lt. Col. Scott Oskvarek presents Cadet 1st Class Staci Rouse with a name patch upon her landing to commemorate her historic fight Sept. 7. Rouse was the first cadet in Academy history to fly solo in a powered aircraft. Oskvarek is an instructor pilot with the 70th Flying Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Cadet provides gift of life through stem cell donation

Cadet 3rd Class Kyle Schroeder holds a bag containing blood-forming stem cells that he donated in Denver Sept. 5, 2012. Schroeder, a native of Colorado Springs, found out in the summer that he was a match for a recipient he has never met. He is assigned to Cadet Squadron 33. (Courtesy photo)

Academy firefighter to receive national award

Elaine Perkins, a Honolulu native and the station captain for Fire Station 3 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., was named the 2011 National Image, Inc., Meritorious Service Award winner. She is scheduled to receive the award during a presentation in Los Angeles Sept. 13, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

Academy holds panel honoring women's suffrage

Col. Stella Renner asks RBI Strategies and Research President Rick Ridder about the challenges of collecting demographic data on military voters, many of whom vote in states other than their states of residence, during a Women's Equalidy Day panel at the Air Force Academy Aug. 27, 2012. Also on the panel were Colorado Rep. Crisanta Duran (D-Denver) and Colorado League of Women Voters President Catherine Perrone. Renner is the Academy's vice commandant of culture and climate. (U.S. Air force photo/Mike Kaplan)