News

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: RQ-4A Global Hawk

    Manufacturer: Northrup Grumman Function: High-Altitude, Long-Endurance ISRService Date: 2001Speed: 357 mphProduction: 77 (planned)Inventory: 20Commentary: The RQ-4 provides high altitude, persistent (28+ hours) remotely piloted ISR capability. The system consists of an aircraft, GCS, and an

  • 4 pin on Lt bars at winter grad ceremony

    Four cadets received their diplomas and took the oath of office Dec. 14 at the Air Force Academy’s winter graduation ceremony. Mark Adams of Rockmart, Georgia, earned a bachelor’s in economics. He’s scheduled to report to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, for remotely-piloted aircraft training. Samuel

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: MQ-9 Reaper

    Manufacturer: General AtomicsFunction: Remotely Piloted Hunter/KillerService Date: 2007Speed: 230 mphCrew: TwoProduction: 319 (planned)Inventory: 35 Commentary: Officially combat-operational in Afghanistan since September 2007, the MQ-9 Reaper is larger than the MQ-1, has eight times the range, and

  • Carson Bird lived life of grace, humor and love, says family at memorial

    Brittany Bird spoke elegantly and affectionately of her husband, retired Capt. Carson Bird, at a Dec. 9 memorial service here in his honor. Carson, a 2008 Academy graduate, former Falcons football all-star cornerback, and special operations officer, died Nov. 26 at his grandmother’s home in Michigan

  • 1 Academy NCO selected for promotion to chief master sgt

    The Air Force selected one NCO at the Air Force Academy for promotion to chief master sergeant Dec. 8: Senior Master Sgt. Heather Muse of the Academy's Headquarters Command Staff. Muse said many helped her on her professional journey to being selected for promotion to chief master sergeant, the Air

  • Prep School students judge elementary school science projects

    Air Force Academy Preparatory School cadet candidates judged 100 science fair projects Nov. 18 at Pioneer Elementary School in Colorado Springs.   According to Cadet Candidate Julio Rosales, the students presented their projects to the cadet candidates, who asked questions about the scientific

  • Falcons to compete in Arizona Bowl, Dec 30

    The Air Force Academy Falcons will play the University of South Alabama Jaguars in the Arizona Bowl in Tucson on Dec. 30. Invites to the bowl were sent to Falcons’ head Coach Troy Calhoun and Jaguars’ head coach Joey Jones Dec. 4 from Chairman of the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Ali Farhang.  The

  • USAFA announces annual hunt zones

    The Air Force Academy announced areas will be off-limits to hunters during the Academy Natural Resources Office’s annual installation deer hunt, Dec. 10-12 and 17-19. Frequently used roads and trails leading into hunting areas will be posted with bright orange signs, stating “Area Closed --

  • Staying safe on winter roads

    One big step toward staying safe on the highway during the holidays and bad weather is simple, said Air Force Academy law enforcement and safety experts: pay attention.  Lt. Col. Lance Spear, director of the Academy’s Safety Office, said distracted driving -- often caused by a driver using a

  • Teenager becomes a 'cadet for a day'

    A teenage lymphoma patient became the Air Force Academy’s latest cadet for a day Nov. 10, thanks to a longstanding partnership between cadets and the Make a Wish Foundation.  Mark Carnes, 15, and his mother, Gwendolyn Carnes, toured the airfield and control tower with cadets assigned to Cadet