3 Delaware ANG Airmen admitted to Academy

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Valerie Harwood
  • 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Del. --  The Delaware Air National Guard's 166th Airlift Wing has landed three of its Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Academy, through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program.

Air Force officials developed the program to encourage enlisted Airmen to attend the Academy.

Airmen 1st Class Sharon Dominguez and Luke McFadden have been admitted into the Academy's Class of 2019 and are scheduled to arrive for Basic Cadet Training June 25. Airman 1st Class Ryan Weber is scheduled to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School July 15.

Dominguez, a native of North Hagerstown, Maryland, graduated from North Hagerstown High School and is enrolled at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. She enlisted in the Delaware ANG in August 2012 and is a certified radio frequency transmission systems technician.

McFadden, a native of Bear, Delaware, graduated high school from the Powle Institute and is enrolled at the University of Delaware. He enlisted in the Delaware ANG in January 2013 and is a certified aircraft environment and electrical systems apprentice.

"I joined the Delaware Air Guard because it seemed like a good opportunity and I recommend it to anyone," he said. "I want to major in electrical engineering at the Academy."

Weber, a native of Newark, Delaware, graduated high school from the Mount Sophia Academy and is enrolled in the University of Delaware. He enlisted in the Delaware ANG in April 2013 and is a certified metals aircraft technologist.

"The Academy is an amazing opportunity and I would encourage every young Airman to apply, I mean it's a $435,000 education, for free essentially," Dominquez said. "Of course you pay with your time in service, but that is the ultimate goal here - to become an officer in the world's greatest Air Force."

Airmen applying to the Academy through the LEAD program do not need to obtain a nomination from a U.S. senator or congressman as do non-LEAD program cadets; they only need to receive an endorsement from their local commander.

The Prep School accepts 240 cadet candidates annually and is designed to academically, physically and militarily prepare qualified young men and women to enter the Academy.

For more information on the LEAD program, visit www.academyadmissions.com.