Families join cadets for Parents' Weekend festivities

Jack Montgomery receives instruction from Army Lt. Col. David Christensen while piloting a flight simulator in Fairchild Hall Sept. 4, 2009, as part of Parents' Weekend. Seated in the co-pilot's chair is Mr. Montgomery's son, Cadet 3rd Class Tate Montgomery. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Families join cadets for Parents' Weekend festivities

Cadet 2nd Class Michael Cello and his family receive a briefing from biology instructor Lt. Col. Leon Barringer before a laboratory experiment Sept. 4. Families got to sit in classes with their cadets as part of Parents' Weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Majors Night

Maj. Leonard Cabrera speaks with Cadet 4th Class Daniel Adjangba during Majors Night at the U.S. Air Force Academy Sept. 9, 2009. Major Cabrera is an assistant professor with the Department of Economics and Geosciences. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Majors Night

Cadet 1st Class Shea Speer speaks with Cadet Candidate Richard Cook about the U.S. Air Force Academy's history program during Majors Night Sept. 9, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

In memory of 1st Lieutenant Joseph D. Helton Jr.

Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Detachment 2 Police Transition Team stand in formation at Camp Stryker, Iraq, during a memorial ceremony honoring 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, Jr. Sept. 12, 2009. Lieutenant Helton, a flight commander for the 732nd ESFS Det. 2, was killed Sept. 8, 2009, by an improvised explosive device while leading his team on a mission in Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

In memory of 1st Lieutenant Joseph D. Helton Jr.

Maj. Joseph Engelbrecht salutes a memorial to 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, Jr. after posthumously presenting him a Bronze Star with valor device during a ceremony at Camp Stryker, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2009. Lieutenant Helton, a flight commander for the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Detachment 2, was killed Sept. 8, 2009, by an improvised explosive device while leading his team on a mission in Baghdad. Major Engelbrecht is the 732nd ESFS Det. 2 commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

In memory of 1st Lieutenant Joseph D. Helton Jr.

Servicemembers from the Victory Base Complex near Baghdad attend a memorial ceremony held to honor 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, Jr. Sept. 12, 2009. Lieutenant Helton, a flight commander for the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 Police Transition Team and a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was killed Sept. 8, 2009, by an improvised explosive device while leading his team on a mission in Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Cadets honor fallen heroes of Sept. 11

Cadets salute as the American flag is raised during a Reveille ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Sept. 11, 2009. Cadets held the ceremony to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks eight years earlier. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Cadets honor fallen heroes of Sept. 11

The U.S. Air Force Academy cadet flag formation raises the American flag during a Reveille ceremony in the Terrazzo Sept. 11, 2009, in honor those who died in terrorist attacks eight years earlier. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Cadets honor fallen heroes of Sept. 11

Cadet 1st Class Sean Harte plays Reveille in honor during a cadet formation in honor of the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Red, White and Brave Parade honors those who serve

The Bird poses for a photo at the Red, White and Brave Parade in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 29, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Red, White and Brave Parade honors those who serve

A squadron of vintage World War II aircraft fly over downtown Colorado Springs, Colo., during the Red, White and Brave Parade Aug. 29, 2009. More than 40,000 people turned out for the event, which was held in honor of Fort Carson Soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)