United States Air Force Academy

☀️𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝐀𝐌-𝟒𝟗𝟎 (𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩) 🪂

C2C Heath Masingale hails from Portland, Oregon. 🌲 He's an Economics major but took to the skies this summer with the Airmanship 490 (AM-490) program.

The AM-490 course is renowned as the world's singular certified jump program that propels students straight into a solo free fall for their first jump experience, a distinction held only by . After a rigorous 3 days of ground training followed by 5 solo free fall jumps Heath earned those prestigious jump wings. 🛩️💪

He believes this program is pivotal in teaching cadets how to safely leap out of planes and enhancing their leadership and instructional skills—elements critical for their future roles as officers.

"Witnessing the collective triumph and relief as all my classmates and I landed from our first jump from 5,000 feet. The mixture of nerves turned to jubilation was unforgettable and the highlight of my summer experience."

𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒕

Our basic cadets test their mettle at the Assault Course in Jacks Valley.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝗝𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝗖𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬

Our basic cadets are continuing to progress in their military training at Jacks Valley.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗚𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆

Our basic cadets from officially began their training at Jacks Valley. 🪖

Among the activities they had to navigate were the Obstacle Course, the Assault Course, Combat Arms Training and Maintenance, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲

Basic cadets from marched out to Jacks Valley to begin phase two of Basic Cadet Training.

During their military training, they will spend two weeks in the woods, navigating physical and psychological obstacles. This preparation will test their endurance and enhance their survival skills, preparing them for any situation they might face in the field. 🪖

Read about phase two here: https://www.usafa.edu/facilities/jacks-valley/

☀️𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 📚

C2C Jimmy Nguyen is from Dallas, Texas. 🤠 He's majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering and is participating in the Cadet Summer Research Program at Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jimmy's summer program emphasizes the development of emerging technologies, especially focusing on the automation of calibration procedures for vision-aided navigation systems. 🛠️🖥️

He believes this program is crucial as it equips cadets with technical skills and offers them a deep insight into the operations of contracting organizations working closely with the government. It fosters a team-centric environment vital for future engineers, honing in on interpersonal skills and project management from a unique, hands-on perspective.

Highlights from his summer included initiating insightful discussions with civilians and veterans at Draper and forging connections with West Point - The U.S. Military Academy cadets.

Welcome the 2024 preppies to the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School (Official)!

Today’s in-processing marks the start of their 10-month journey where they will face academic challenges, develop leadership skills and face physical tests that will prepare them for their potential future roles as officers.

Learn about in-processing: https://www.usafa.edu/Prep-School-I-Day

The 10th Air Base Wing provides essential support to cadets throughout their academic and military journey, offering critical services such as security, logistics, and medical care. The dedicated support of these unsung heroes at institutional events, from I-Day to Graduation, enables cadets to prioritize their academic studies and military training. 🎓🛡️⚕️

A recent initiative led by the - US Air Force Academy - 10th Medical Group involved updating dental records and equipping nearly a thousand basic cadets with mouth guards as a precautionary measure for their upcoming training in Jacks Valley. 🦷

For more information, visit: https://www.usafa.af.mil/Units/10th-Air-Base-Wing/

Cadets at have enhanced their training regimen by learning the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) program, a recent U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) initiative replacing Self-Aid Buddy Care.

TCCC equips cadets with life-saving skills through a focus on the MARCH algorithm—addressing massive bleeding, airway, respiration, circulation, and hypothermia/head injuries.

Emphasizing hands-on training and teamwork, this program aims to significantly reduce preventable deaths by preparing future officers for real-world emergencies in combat and garrison.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

𝐁𝐂𝐓 – 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥

Mastering military drill is fundamental for cadet candidates at . It instills discipline, builds unity, and equips them for precise, coordinated actions under pressure—essential traits for future officers.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

☀️𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗢𝗽𝘀 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 ✈️

🏝️ C2C Milahnie Perry is from Tampa, Florida. 🌴 She's majoring in Management and is currently participating in the Ops Air Force summer program at Beale Air Force Base.

Ops Air Force offers cadets the chance to live on an Air Force base, delve into daily operations, and explore a variety of career paths within the Air Force.

Ops Air Force program helps develop good leaders by equipping cadets with firsthand experience and giving them the knowledge of what to expect in their future roles. It also bridges the gap between life and operational States Air Force life.

Some of her most unforgettable moments include getting to experience a simulated canine attack at the Security Forces squadron, experiencing a U-2 Mobile Ride, detonating materials with the Explosive Ordinance Detail technicians, and exploring the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. 🏔️🌉

Special Warfare Orientation Course, a two-week professional development opportunity for and AFROTC cadets, prepares and recruits cadets interested in Air Force Special Warfare to become better and more confident candidates for the screening and selection process.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/af_academy/albums

Join us in welcoming back to Col. Mark Landez, Class of 2001, as he begins his new role as commander of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School (Official).

Our Prep School's 10-month highly structured regimen takes cadet candidates through basic training focusing on academics, military training, athletics and character development.

Read more: https://www.usafa.edu/prep-school/

Behind-the-scenes footage from the Class of 2028 in-processing.

Welcome to , Class of 2028.

Check out all our Flickr photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBwZAM

Tomorrow, we welcome our newest class 👣 🪖

☀️Summer Spotlight: 𝘾𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢

C2C Parker Brown is from Spokane, Washington. She's majoring in Cyber Science and minoring in Spanish. She's currently in Nerja, 🇪🇸Spain, participating in an immersive summer program designed to help cadets rapidly improve foreign language and cultural skills. Cadets spend one summer period (typically 3.5 weeks) at an accredited university or language school, dividing their day between classroom learning and immersion in the local culture.

Parker's favorite memories of her experience so far include meeting other students from different countries and exploring different cities. She appreciates experiencing the culture, visiting 🏛️ monuments, spending time at the 🏖️ beach, trying new🫒 foods, and talking Spanish with her host family.

🏃𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐌𝐏𝚰𝐂 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒🥇

Did you know cadets and recent grads competed at the Olympic trials?

C1C Tommy Nagle, swimming
C2C Patrick Hoopes, gymnastics
C2C Texas Tanner, track and field
2nd Lt. Sam Gilman, Class of ’23, track and field
2nd Lt. Wen Zhang, Class of ’23, swimming
2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson, Class of ‘24, wrestling
Learn more: https://www.usafa.edu/olympic-trials

🇺🇸𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐇✨

Juneteenth celebrates the end to slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. It commemorates the past and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the African American community. It is a commitment to America's promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

🪐Space-minded Airmen and air-minded Guardians 🛰️

A club first created by cadets four years ago is now over 1,000 members strong at educational institutions throughout the nation. i5 Space seeks to produce educated and inspired leaders prepared to define the character of warfighting in space. The goal is to produce “space-minded Airmen and air-minded Guardians” as well as space-minded warfighters in all other services.

💡Learn more about i5 Space: www.usafa.edu/i5-space

United States Space Force

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚!
Happy Father's Day to all our incredible dads out there! Today, we celebrate you.

𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Pine Drive will close to traffic Monday, June 17–Saturday, July 27.

All vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from the road during this time. Repaving operations impact access to Pine Valley, which includes Pine Valley Housing, the Equestrian Center and Air Academy High School.

The closure is required for reconstruction and repaving and is expected to last several weeks but is expected to conclude before and District 20 fall semesters begin.

The detour to Pine Valley will be from Stadium Boulevard to Community Center Drive to West Pine Loop. Commuters will travel through Pine Valley Housing to access Air Academy High School.

🫡 Today, we salute the oldest service in our military, the U.S. Army on their 249th birthday! 🎂

🐴 From the classroom to the corral 🐎

C2C Lauryn Mitchell says being on a horse allows her to take a breath and find a sense of calm. Our offers members more than an outlet away from the Cadet Wing. Lauryn says she's also honing her and skills.

Read about how the club develops : https://www.usafa.edu/rodeo

10th Force Support Squadron

🪖80th Anniversary of D-Day🌊

We commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day at the Planetarium by premiering the film "D-Day: Normandy 1944." This is our newest film, and it will remain part of our regular show schedule.

The event also featured exhibits, artifacts, reenactors in period WWII uniforms, and restored Army vehicles, such as those used in the D-Day invasion.

The Planetarium is open to the public and offers free film showings. View our film schedule to plan your next trip: https://www.usafa.edu/facilities/planetarium/