Air Force Academy holds Independence Day bash

Master Sgt. Tim Allums performs at the Air Force Academy's Independence Day celebration July 4, 2011, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Sergeant Allums is a trumpet player with the Air Force Academy Band and a native of Beaumont, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Academy hits switch on 6-MW solar array

Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, third from right, flips a switch to signify the dedication of a 6-megawatt solar array at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 13, 2011. General Gould is the Academy superintendent. Also pictured are 10th Air Base Wing Vice Commander Col. Todd Robison, third from left, and officials from SunPower Corporation and Colorado Springs Utilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

New 'milkstool' design may save dollars, backs

Loadmasters and a crew from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Sather Air Base, Iraq, load a baggage pallet onto a C-130 Hercules June 3, 2008. Sitting on the C-130's cargo ramp is a "milkstool": a ramp support platform that may, in coming years, be replaced with a more lightweight version designed by Air Force Academy cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Memorial Day 2011

Air Force leaders issued a Memorial Day statement to Airmen and their families May 24, 2011. In this photo, Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould presents Larry and Joyce Brodeur with a flag during the May 17, 2011, funeral service for Maj. David Brodeaur, a 1999 Academy graduate who was killed April 27 in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)

Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at AFA commencement

Cadets celebrate on the ramp leading into Falcon Stadium prior to the Air Force Academy Class of 2011 graduation ceremony May 25, 2011, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Among those in attendance at the graduation ceremony were retired Medal of Honor recipient Col. Bud Day, whose son, Joshua, was among the 1,021 graduates. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at AFA commencement

The U.S. Air Force Academy Band performs prior to the start of the Air Force Academy Class of 2011 graduation ceremony May 25, 2011, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke at the ceremony, in which 1,021 cadets received their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)