Charities need volunteers throughout the year

Soldiers from Fort Carson walk on a path near Dorchester Park in Colorado Springs, Colo., to give supplies to homeless residents at the Marian House soup kitchen in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 18, 2009. The volunteer project, organized by Fort Carson chaplains, started as a 12-person detail and grew into a volunteer project for more than 300 Soldiers. Several charities in Colorado Springs rely on assistance from military volunteers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Physics really is 'phun': Program aims to turn kids onto science

Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at West Elementary School in Colorado Springs observe how liquid nitrogen affects a balloon during a "Physics is Phun" event held at the school by the Air Force Academy's Physics Department Dec. 11. The balloon freezes and shrinks in the minus-320-degree liquid and reinflates at room temperature, causing snow to form inside the balloon. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Julie Imada)

Academy's newest sound began 'In the Stairwell'

Air Force Academy Cadets with the a cappella group In the Stairwell perform for KKTV Channel 11 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 11, 2009. The group of about 20 cadets has also recently performed in a statewide competition against groups from the University of Colorado, Denver University and Colorado State University. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Van Winkle)

Rampart Lodge brings home Innkeeper Award trophy

Academy leaders and Rampart Lodge staff pose for a photo in the Rampart Lodge lobby Dec. 3, 2009, after having been named the best lodging facility in the Air Force 2009 Innkeeper Awards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

'Rampart Winds' whirls into Harmon Hall

Members of the Air Force Academy Band's Rampart Winds ensemble perform in Harmon Hall at the Academy Dec. 11, 2009. Playing are group leader Master Sgt. Sandra Tiemens on flute, Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Frank Soper on French horn, Tech. Sgt. Sarah Stewart on bassoon, Master Sgt. Noelle Little on clarinet, and Tech. Sgt. Monica Ding on oboe. Rampart Winds is the Academy Band's dedicated woodwind quintet and has played for high-profile events such as the opening of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Marshall Scholar to focus on Latin America

Cadet 1st Class Austin McKinney is the Air Force Academy's 11th Marshall Scholarship recipient and one of 40 selected nationwide in 2009. He will attend the University of London in 2010 to pursue master's degrees in Latin American studies and in globalization and Latin American development. Cadet McKinney is a native of Detroit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Cadet Squadron 23 repeats as Commandant's Challenge champs

Brig. Gen. Samuel Cox affixes the Commandant's Challenge 2009 Champion streamer to Cadet Squadron 23's guidon at the conclusion of the challenge Nov. 24, 2009. The win is the second in a row for CS23. General Cox is the commandant of cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Cadet Squadron 23 repeats as Commandant's Challenge champs

Cadet 2nd Class Brian Altman grades cadets' drill maneuvers during the evaluation portion of the Commandant's Challenge at Clune Arena Nov. 23, 2009. Cadet Squadron 37 won the evaluation challenges, which also examined cadets' adherence to dormitory and uniform standards and military and Academy knowledge. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Cadet Squadron 23 repeats as Commandant's Challenge champs

A cadet conceals himself in brush during the field exercise of the Commandant's Challenge at the Air Force Academy Nov. 21, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Cadet Squadron 23 repeats as Commandant's Challenge champs

A cadet fire team emerges from the side of a building during the urban tactics portion of the Commandant's Challenge at the Air Force Academy Nov. 21, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Academy firefighters return to world competition stage

U.S. Air Force Academy firefighter Ron Prettyman hauls a loaded fire hose over his shoulder as he sprints forward to finish in the over-40 male relay at a firefighter combat challenge held at the Academy June 27, 2009. Mr. Prettyman is one of five firefighters who will compete at the World Firefighter Challenge XVIII, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas Nov. 16-20. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Academy firefighters return to world competition stage

Airman 1st Class Jessica Morehouse drags a rescue dummy backwards across the finish line during a firefighter combat challenge June 27, 2009. In her first-ever challenge, Airman Morehouse a member of the ladies' tandem team and the ladies' relay team at the Academy, both of which are ranked number one in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)