Academy reopens to public Aug 2 with DOD’s updated facemask policy

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -  The Air Force Academy will open to the public August 2, nearly 17 months after closing to all but official business to safeguard its community during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re excited to welcome the community back to the U.S. Air Force Academy,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the school’s superintendent. “I’m proud of our Academy team for their incredible work to ensure a safe, successful environment for our cadets, faculty and families. Cadets have been back since last fall and we’ve learned to work in an environment focused on reducing COVID risks.”

In keeping with Defense Department guidance, all service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will wear a mask indoors at the Academy, according to Col. Christopher Leonard, commander of the 10th Air Base Wing – the Academy’s host unit.

“El Paso County, Colorado is designated an area of high community transmission,” Leonard wrote in a memo sent to all cadets and staff members at the base, July 29.

The 10th Air Base Wing is responsible for the health and safety of service members, families, faculty and cadets who live and work on the base.

With the reopening of the base, the Academy begins a gradual transition to normal operations in hosting the public.

Visit www.usafa.edu/news/coronavirus for COVID-19 updates.