Features

  • 5 years on: Waldo Canyon fire anniversary ignites memories

    The Waldo Canyon fire that barreled into Colorado Springs and threatened the U.S. Air Force Academy June 26, 2012, is burned in the memory of anyone who saw, fought or was affected by it.  The fire, the result of a perfect storm of extended drought, sweltering heat and extremely high winds, burned

  • 10th SFS: ‘all in’ when protecting thousands at Falcon Stadium

    If safety isn’t your concern at graduation ceremonies or Falcons football games, thank a cop. Specifically, the 10th Security Forces Squadron, as they handle safety concerns for us. They’re why more than 500,000 annual spectators can watch those Div I sporting events and graduation ceremonies

  • Oldest-living USAFA grad checks-off bucket list with Thunderbird flight

    The oldest-living Air Force Academy graduate checked-off his No. 1 bucket-list wish May 22: to fly with the Air Force Thunderbirds. Retired Maj. Paul Lasen, 83, is a 1959 Academy graduate and career pilot who still flies today. By all accounts, he felt right at home in the backseat of a

  • Falcon Foundation helps potential cadets get to Academy

    Ever met a Falcon scholar?You probably have if you’ve spend time with Air Force officers, but you might not have known it.Since the 1960s, the Falcon Foundation here has helped more than 4,500 cadet-candidates enter the Air Force Academy with its Falcon Scholars Program.Two Falcon scholars are Air

  • A life less ordinary: Former cadet, Rhodes scholar pushes limits

    The oar blades cut through the cold water of the River Thames as the eight-person team drove their boat in perfect synchronization t the Oxford University Boat House, UK.There was no room for error and time was running out. The Oxford University Women's Boat Club would challenge the University of

  • A ‘Falcon Proud’ family

    Three Air Force Academy employees say supporting cadets isn’t just their job, it’s their way of life.  Carey Bonnin, wife Bonnie Bonnin, and their daughter, Kim Williams, spend their work time supporting the Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character, and their time-off supporting cadets

  • Conquering Recognition: ‘4 degrees’ overcome annual challenge

    Freshmen earned the title of “recognized cadet” March 11 after completing two days of intense challenges here known as Recognition. Recognition is a rigorous annual event freshman, or “four degrees” here, must navigate before earning the status of cadet and the "prop and wings" pin worn on their

  • Wounded Warrior ‘DT’ returns to the skies, parachutes into new job

    An Air Force wounded warrior returned to the skies Feb. 18 with his first parachute jump in 11 years. Master Sgt.  Israel Del Toro Jr., the Air Force’s only 100-percent-disabled wounded warrior on active duty, added to his list of achievements by taking his 131st parachute jump with cadets and staff

  • On thin ice: Academy NCO pulls woman from Kettle Lakes

    A young woman has a lot to be thankful for after an airfield manager here yanked her and her dog out of the frigid waters of Kettle Lakes, Jan. 23.  Staff Sgt. David Moore of the 306th Operations Support Squadron was checking for safety hazards around the airfield just after 7 a.m. when he spotted