Air Force says farewell to a patriot

Maj. Paul Carlton speaks at the funeral of his grandfather, retired Gen. Paul Carlton, at the Air Force Academy Cemetery Dec. 14, 2009. General Carlton was commander of Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and received Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart medals before he retired March 31, 1977. He died Nov. 23 from natural causes. Major Carlton is a student at Air University's School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

10th SFS Airman wins 'Tuskegee Airman of the Week' at Balad

Staff Sgt. Audrina L. Corpuz is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Nov. 22-28, 2009. Among her accomplishments, Sergeant Corpuz directed 10 alarm responses at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, which helped guarantee the safety of more than 25,000 personnel. Sergeant Corpuz is deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron from the 10th SFS at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm)

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)

Academy firefighters return to world competition stage

Firefighter Stacy Billapando from the Colorado Springs, Colo., Fire Department hoists a rope attached to a 45-pound fire hose from five stories up during a firefighter challenge at the Air Force Academy June 27, 2009. Ms. Billapando, the world's top-ranked female firefighter, will join the Academy ladies' tandem firefighter team at World Firefighter Combat Challenge XVIII, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas Nov. 16-20. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Trailing dogs hone their sniffing skills

John Richey from the Salt Lake City Sherriff's Office and Oliver, a bloodhound, follow a scent trail in Pine Valley during training and certification exercises at the U.S. Air Force Academy Sept. 23, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Patton)

Academy HPL tests, researches, trains, educates

Capt. Dustin Benker reviews the results of his metabolic test with Dr. Jeff Nelson at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Human Performance Laboratory Sept. 29, 2009. The test measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production and can provide athletes with specific training plans to enhance their physical performance. Captain Benker is a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot. Dr. Nelson holds a degree in exercise physiology. (U.S. Air Force photo/J. Rachel Spencer)

Character Corner: Why CCLD?

Brig. Gen. Samuel Cox and Col. John Norton unveil the Center for Character and Leadership Development's logo Sept. 28, 2009, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. General Cox is commandant of cadets at the Academy, and Colonel Norton is the CCLD director. Also pictured are retired Col. Tom Berry, deputy CCLD director; Lt. Col. Joe Sanders, assistant director for scholarship, and Lt. Col. Jim DeReus, assistant director for integration. The logo was designed by Chris Hureau of DenMar Services Inc. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

FalconSAT-5 receives main payload

Pat O'Grady from InStar Engineering and Eric Ehrbar from Busek Inc. confirm FalconSAT-5's fit check with its main payload, the Space Plasma Characterization Source, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 28, 2009. FalconSAT-5 is an $11-million program sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Steve Hart)

Pikes Peak CFC kicks off in Arnold Hall

Air Force Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould visits representatives from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region during the Combined Federal Campaign kickoff at the Academy Sept. 22, 2009. The Humane Society was one of about 40 CFC charities in attendance at the kickoff event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Cadets honor Air Force's 62nd birthday

Master Sgt. Karl Bradley leads the Air Force Academy Band during a parade in honor of the Air Force's 62nd birthday at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 18, 2009. (U.S Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

USAFA Downrange: 'Our work here is necessary'

Lt. Col. Jeffery Johnson poses for a photo Aug. 25, 2009, while taking a break at the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan. Colonel Johnson is deployed from the 10th Medical Support Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he is the Pharmacy Flight commander. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Regular eye exams keep life in focus

Capt. Loralie Hodges recommends regular eye exams as part of routine health care. Early detection is key for optometrists to treat a variety of sight disorders. Captain Hodges is an optometrist with the 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Patton)