Features

March 25, 2015
1st 'Thoughts Out Loud' discussions focuses on vaccination

Vaccines may not come up for discussion all that much among Airmen: They're mandatory, so what's to discuss? But with the United States facing its worst measles outbreak in 25 years, more people are talking about getting vaccinated and why vaccines matter.Dr. Katherine Bates, an assistant professor
March 19, 2015
Turning pain into power: USAFA Prep School dean shares passion on veteran care, combat experiences

When the first female Air Force Academy Preparatory School dean graduated from the Academy in 1995, she never imagined that as an Air Force psychologist, she'd one day be dodging mortars and sweeping for improvised explosive devices while deployed.After serving nearly 20 years, Lt. Col. Alicia
March 18, 2015
USAFA headquarters focuses on being mission-ready over inspection-ready

The Air Force Academy has been steady, over time, in its preparations for the upcoming Inspector General inspection. It's not just in time - it's on purpose."I think people in the Air Force are used to having to prepare for something," said Col. David Kuenzli, Academy inspector general. "It's a bit
March 13, 2015
'Everyone is an ambassador': Academy hosts Japanese friendship dinner

The Air Force Academy's commandant of cadets, Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams, and his wife Holly, hosted a Japanese Tomodachi Dinner here Feb. 24 for the Consul General of Japan.Tomodachi translates to "friendship" and the dinners are traditional events in Japanese culture to promote relations among
March 12, 2015
Horse power: Wounded warriors receive healing, support through Academy’s equine-assisted therapy

Just as service members come from all walks of life, so do the 30 Academy-owned horses which an Army veteran and wounded warrior said comforted him when he took part in the Warrior Wellness program here.Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Legendre suffers from chronic pain, post-traumatic stress
March 6, 2015
Taking care of Airmen: How Air Force mental health services helped a family recover

Two local NCOs have been on a journey of recovery since losing their son to leukemia nearly nine years ago, a journey they said couldn't have happened without the mental health services available to Airmen and their families.Master Sgt. Emily Gazzaway, the Air Force Academy's senior enlisted aide,
March 4, 2015
NCLS 2015 closes out: VA undersecretary says cadets should ‘embrace the uncomfortable’

This year's Academy Character and Leadership Award recipient closed the two-day symposium, featuring 50 discussion panels and speakers, with a frank message on engaging with rather than fleeing from life's uncomfortable moments.Allison Hickey, a 1980 Academy graduate, and the Under Secretary for
March 3, 2015
‘Never give up:' Former ‘Lost Boy’ speaks to cadets at NCLS

John Dau wasn't like most speakers at the 2015 National Character and Leadership Symposium here Feb. 27.The tall Sudanese-born Dau, 41, was a "Lost Boy," a title no other NCLS speaker could hold, and the name given to the thousands of young Sudanese men who walked more than 1,000 miles from Ethiopia
Feb. 26, 2015
New boxing club allows female cadets to excel in the ring

Since the fall, female Falcons here have been practicing their fighting skills six days a week to increase their confidence, stamina and dominate competition.For the first time in Academy history, a female boxing club was created here in August to allow women to compete in the male-dominated sport.
Feb. 25, 2015
Sophomore cadet takes on senior-level research

Cadet 3rd Class Young Wu isn't like other sophomores. Not only has he maintained a 4.0 GPA while majoring in aeronautics and mathematics, he conducts independent research normally reserved for firsties. Wu's mentor, Aeronautics Department professor Lt. Col. Kurt Rouser, said he's rarely seen Wu's