Air Force Academy welcomes visitors, preps for Class of '15 graduation ceremony Published May 21, 2015 U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy welcomes all visitors to the installation following two weeks of heightened security measures directed by U.S. Northern Command. Visitors without DOD identification can enter the installation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week if they have a current form of identification, such as a driver's license. Strict security measures are still in place at the Academy, including random security checks, and the Santa Fe Trail remains off limits to visitors unless they are with someone who has a current DOD ID. Class of '15 graduation The Academy released 600 free tickets for the Class of 2015 graduation ceremony, 9:30 a.m. May 28 at Falcon Stadium. Tickets may be picked up at the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance office, 102 S. Tejon Street, Suite 430, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce office, 300 Colorado Highway 105 in Monument, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Customers with DOD ID cards can get tickets at the Academy's Athletic Ticket office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cadet Field House. Ticket locations are open Monday through Friday but will close May 25 for Memorial Day. No more than six tickets will be given to each customer. Tickets cannot be mailed and there is no will-call at the stadium. The Academy will not replace lost tickets. Due to security measures in place at the Academy, anyone picking up tickets in Colorado Springs or Monument must provide their full name, date of birth and driver's license number, and the state the license was issued. Customers with a current DOD identification do not need to provide additional information. The graduation ceremony will feature a commencement address by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and a demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. More than 800 cadets are scheduled to receive bachelor's degrees and commissions as second lieutenants at the ceremony. The Academy's North and South Gates will open at 7 a.m. Visitors are encouraged to arrive by 8:30 a.m. as there will be heavy traffic on the installation. Visitors must show their graduation tickets at the gates. All vehicles may be searched when entering the Academy and driver's licenses, vehicle registration and insurance should be up to date. Anyone at the Academy may be asked to show identification. Children under 16 do not have to show IDs. At Falcon Stadium At the stadium, visitors will pass through metal detectors and their purses, bags and personal items will be inspected. Boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, backpacks, large handbags, coolers, thermoses or similar items, sticks, poles, tripods and child strollers will not be allowed into the stadium. Small folding umbrellas, food and drink in clear, unopened water bottles and medically necessary food items, cameras and video cameras will be allowed into Falcon Stadium. Camera lenses may be inspected at the stadium gates. Diaper bags will be allowed when a child is present. Seatbacks 18 inches or less are permitted into the stadium as long as they do not require a search due to excessive pockets or compartments. Seatbacks may be rented from vendors. Refreshments will be available throughout the stadium. Once the graduation ceremony begins, no one will be allowed to leave the stadium until the Thunderbirds' demonstration ends at 12:30 p.m. Due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, no one is allowed to park, drive or walk in the Thunderbird's flight path. Falcon Stadium is an outdoor venue and walking and stair climbing may be required. Indoor seats are not available at the stadium and visitors should prepare for any type of weather. Medical technicians will be at the stadium through the ceremony. Handicapped seating in the stadium is not reserved but visitors must have a ticket to enter the stadium. Wheelchair seating is located at the top of sections U2, U5, U9, U12, M2, M6, M10, M14, L3, L6, L7, L9, L10 and L13. The entire top row of the L sections (L-2 through L-14) is reserved for handicapped guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are advised to arrive early for this seating. In the event of severe, life-threatening weather or security response to a high-threat world situation, the ceremony could be moved into Clune Arena at the Cadet Field House. Clune Arena has limited seating capacity, guests of graduating cadets would be restricted to three per cadet and public ticket holders will not be able to attend.