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112-454: The organization was founded by United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduate and former USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps officer Michael Weinstein in 2005 for the purpose of opposing the spread of alleged religious intimidation by Christians in positions of power within the US military. The founding was driven by the experiences of Weinstein and his sons, who were discriminated against at

224-549: A 100% passing grade from Charity Navigator on its finances and accountability. United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy ( USAFA ) is a United States service academy in El Paso County , Colorado , immediately north of Colorado Springs . It educates cadets for service in the officer corps of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force . It

336-538: A Roman Catholic, died in the U.S. Consulate attack in Benghazi , Libya . MRFF founder Michael L. Weinstein said that Doherty had "helped me on many MRFF client cases behind the scenes to facilitate assistance to armed forces members abused horribly by fundamentalist Christian proselytizing." In 2015, the group asked the United States Congress to hold oversight hearings regarding its allegation of

448-464: A ball shaped antenna to the tail of the aircraft below the tail guns. The group arrived at its combat station, Northwest Field on Guam on 14 April 1945. It flew its first combat mission on 19 June 1945, attacking Japanese fortifications on Truk . Later that month, on 26 June, it flew its first mission attacking a target in Japan. For the remainder of the war, the 501st operated principally against

560-592: A ballroom, a number of lounges, and dining and recreation facilities for cadets and visitors. Harmon Hall is the primary administration building, which houses the offices of the Superintendent and the Superintendent's staff. The Cadet Area also contains extensive facilities for use by cadets participating in intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, physical education classes and other physical training. Set amid numerous outdoor athletic fields are

672-726: A black marble wall located just under the flagpole on the Terrazzo, is etched with the names of academy graduates who have been killed in combat. The Honor Wall , overlooking the Terrazzo , is inscribed with the Cadet Honor Code : "We will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Just under the Cadet Chapel, the Class Wall bears the crests of each of the academy's graduating classes. The crest of

784-606: A boost with the National Security Act of 1947 , which provided for the establishment of a separate air force within the United States military . As an initial measure, Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington negotiated an agreement where up to a quarter of West Point and Annapolis graduates could volunteer to receive their commissions in the newly established Air Force. This was only intended to be

896-479: A cadet's professional training and development – the minimum standard of ethical conduct that cadets expect of themselves and their fellow cadets. The Honor Code was developed and adopted by the Class of 1959, the first class to graduate from the academy and has been handed down to every subsequent class. The Code itself is simple: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. In 1984,

1008-561: A civilian college. They are not referred to as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors , however, but as fourth-, third-, second- and first class cadets , respectively. Fourth class cadets (freshmen) are often referred to as "doolies," a term derived from the Greek word δοῦλος ("doulos") meaning "slave" or "servant." Members of the three lower classes are also referred to as "4 degrees," "3 degrees" or "2 degrees" based on their class. First-class cadets (seniors) are referred to as "firsties." In

1120-855: A community of 6,000 individuals associated with more than 15 multi-service and multi-national units. RAF Upwood houses the medical and dental facilities for the RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth, and RAF Upwood communities. Sola Air Station ("Stavanger Air Base" to the USAF) in southern Norway is also under the 501st CSW and houses the 426th Air Base Squadron. The squadron mission is to provide base-level support to 220 U.S. service members and their families at NATO's Joint Warfare Center . The squadron also supports "Operating Location-A" in Oslo, Norway, shipping for $ 50 million war readiness material and $ 900 million U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy equipment. In total,

1232-470: A controversial move following the 2003 sexual assault scandal , the words "Bring me men ..." were taken down and replaced with the academy's (later adopted as the Air Force's) core values: "Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do." With an enrollment of over 1300, Air Academy High School is the only high school in the United States built on a military academy. It ranks in

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1344-505: A detailed curriculum for the academy program. From 1954 to 1956, the newly created Colorado Land Acquisition Commission purchased parcels of land that would host the new academy. The first parcel purchased was the also the largest; it was the 4,630-acre (1,870 ha) Cathedral Rock Ranch, owned by Lawrence B. Lehman of the famous Lehman investment family . The purchase price was $ 300,000, or about $ 65 per 1-acre (4,000 m ). 140 different parcels were eventually purchased to make up what

1456-547: A means towards endorsing the Christian Embassy proselytizing message. In February 2009, Colonel Kimberly Toney, commander of the USAF's 501st Combat Support Wing sent an email with a link to a religious-themed web video about the life story of Nick Vujicic . The sponsoring site of the video, 4marks.com, is a Catholic website. USAF service members who looked at the site after following the emailed link complained that

1568-447: A million visitors each year. Admission is competitive, with nominations divided equally among Congressional districts . Recent incoming classes have had about 1,200 cadets; since 2012, around 20% of each incoming class does not graduate. During their tenure at the academy, cadets receive tuition, room and board, and a monthly stipend all paid for by the Air Force. On the first day of a cadet's second class year, cadets commit to serving

1680-403: A number of years as a commissioned officer in the Air Force or Space Force. Non-graduates after that point are expected to fulfill their obligations in enlisted service or pay back full tuition. The commitment is normally five years of active duty and three years in the reserves, although it has varied depending on the graduate's Air Force Specialty Code or Space Force Specialty Code . Prior to

1792-726: A pattern and practice of constitutionally impermissible promotions of religion by the military. MRFF founder Weinstein has spoken to students at a number of the U.S. military's educational institutions: The U.S. Air Force Academy's National Character and Leadership Symposium, the Air Force JAG School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the US Army War College . Jewish veteran Akiva David Miller, who alleged he had suffered religious discrimination and aggressive Christian proselytization while receiving care at

1904-629: A prayer luncheon hosted by the US Air Force Academy 's chaplain service (which featured retired Marine Corps Lt. and fundamentalist Christian Clebe McClary as keynote speaker) was reviewed by a federal judge in February 2011. U.S. District Judge Christine Arguello ruled the plaintiffs (which included the MRFF and USAFA professor David Mullin) lacked sufficient legal standing to challenge the event. The United States Air Force , in response to

2016-405: A profound effect on the development of the character of the academy. Due to the need for more pilots, academy enrollment grew significantly during this time. The size of the graduating classes went from 217 cadets in 1961 to 745 cadets in 1970. Academy facilities were likewise expanded, and training was modified to better meet the needs of the wartime Air Force. The Jacks Valley field training area

2128-534: A short term fix, however, and disagreements between the services quickly led to the establishment of the Service Academy Board by Secretary of Defense James Forrestal . In January 1950, the Service Academy Board, headed by Dwight D. Eisenhower , then president of Columbia University , concluded that the needs of the Air Force could not be met by the two existing U.S. service academies and that an air force academy should be established. Following

2240-484: A support and maintenance squadron. In turn, the wing was inactivated on 18 June 1958 and replaced by the 38th Tactical Missile Wing . The 701st was redesignated as the 501st Tactical Missile Wing on 11 January 1982 and consolidated with the 501st Bombardment Group . It was activated on 1 July 1982, at RAF Greenham Common , England, to operate the Gryphon (BGM-109G) Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM). The 501 TMW

2352-597: A violation of Article VI , Clause 3 of the Constitution, which states: "No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". In January 2015, a Special Forces recruiting poster for "God’s Mission" was removed after MRFF’s Intervention. In November 2015, MRFF's action forced the Fort Carson Post Exchange (PX) to remove anti-Islamic t-shirts from its retail shelves. The shirts depicted

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2464-504: A week of an ABC News report regarding the situation, Trijicon announced that it would halt the engraving of the biblical inscriptions on all products sold to the government. Pressure on United States Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt Gen Michael C. Gould throughout 2010 resulted in the release of the bi-annual Academy Climate Survey's results. The survey revealed that 41% of non-Christian cadets and 19% of all cadets were allegedly subjected to unwanted proselytizing. In January 2011,

2576-752: Is a forward operating location for the Boeing B-52 , the B-1 and the B-2 bomber aircraft. It also assists in U-2 aircraft deployment, deployed operations training and serves as an alternate landing site for the U.S. Space Shuttle. RAF Fairford annually hosts the world's largest military airshow called the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT); typically held in July. RAF Welford comprises 806 acres and

2688-517: Is at the cadet area. The academy was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) and lead architect Walter Netsch . SOM partner John O. Merrill moved from Chicago to a Colorado Springs field office to oversee the construction and to act as a spokesman for the project. The most controversial aspect of the SOM-designed Air Force Academy was its chapel . It was designed by SOM architect Walter Netsch, who at one point

2800-687: Is bordered by a 31,680 foot fence-line. They are home to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe's second largest munitions hub. The installation currently maintains 15,000 bombs; over a $ 160 million stockpile. RAF Menwith Hill houses the 421st Air Base Group. Their mission is to ensure a full range of base support services for an installation populace of 4,500 military, civilians, contractors and their families. The group hosts 10 multi-national, multi-service, multi-agency units performing U.S. and U.K. cryptologic missions and provides base mission support to RAF Menwith Hill. Menwith Hill Station serves as an integral part of

2912-641: Is disenrollment, but mitigating factors may result in the violator being placed in a probationary status for some period of time. This "honor probation" is usually only reserved for cadets in their first two years at the academy. To reinforce the importance of honor, character and integrity to future officers, cadets are given an extensive character and leadership curriculum. The academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development provides classroom, seminar, workshop and experiential-based learning programs to all cadets, beginning when they enter Basic Cadet Training and continuing each year through their last semester at

3024-599: Is now a nearly-18,500-acre (7,500 ha) government property. The early Air Force Academy leadership had the model of West Point and Annapolis in designing an appropriate curriculum, faculty, and campus. The academy's permanent site had not yet been completed when the first class entered, so the 306 cadets from the Class of 1959 were sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver on 11 July 1955. While at Lowry, they were housed in renovated World War II barracks . There were no upper class cadets to train

3136-587: Is one of three wings located in the United Kingdom as components of the Third Air Force and United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE). As of July 2022 the 501st Combat Support Wing is made up of the following units: The first predecessor of the 501st Wing was activated on 1 June 1944 as the 501st Bombardment Group at Dalhart Army Air Field , Texas for training with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses . Its components were

3248-523: Is roughly similar to that of the president of a civilian university. As such, the superintendent oversees all aspects of the academy, including military training, academics, athletics, admissions and also functions as the installation commander of the Academy Reservation. The academy is a Direct Reporting Unit within the Air Force, so the superintendent reports directly to the Chief of Staff of

3360-460: Is the youngest of the five service academies, having graduated its first class 65 years ago in 1959, but is the third in seniority. Graduates of the academy's four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. The academy is also one of the largest tourist attractions in Colorado, attracting approximately

3472-484: Is traditionally the most difficult at the academy, militarily. In addition to their full academic course loads, heavy demands are placed on fourth-class cadets outside of class. Fourth-class cadets are expected to learn an extensive amount of military and Academy-related knowledge and have significant restrictions placed on their movement and actions—traversing the Cadet Area only by approved routes (including staying on

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3584-524: The 10th Air Base Wing —that provide base services such as security, communications, and engineering. Because the academy is also a university, however, the organization of the faculty and the Cadet Wing have some aspects that are more similar to the faculty and student body at a civilian college. The student body of the academy is known as the Cadet Wing. The students, called "cadets", are divided into four classes, based on their year in school, much like

3696-568: The 21st , 41st and 485th Bombardment Squadrons . In August, the 501st Group and its squadrons moved to Harvard Army Air Field , Nebraska and began to equip with Superfortresses. The group completed its training and departed for the Pacific on 7 March 1945. The group was equipped with the Bell Aircraft manufactured B-29B, which was designed to save weight by removing all of the guns and sighting equipment used on other B-29s, except

3808-602: The 422d Air Base Group at RAF Croughton ; and the 423d Air Base Group at RAF Alconbury, including RAF Molesworth , RAF Upwood and Sola Air Station (what the USAF calls Stavanger Air Base) in Norway. The 501st CSW also serves as the administrative agent for NATO in the U.K. RAF Fairford and RAF Welford house the 420th Air Base Group. Their mission is to receive, bed-down and sustain munitions to enable U.S. and NATO forces to conduct full-spectrum flying operations from USAFE's only bomber-forward operating location. RAF Fairford

3920-563: The Academy Cemetery is limited to academy cadets and graduates, certain senior officers, certain academy staff members, and certain other family members. Air power notables Carl Spaatz , Curtis E. LeMay and Robin Olds , are interred here. The United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School (usually referred to as the "Prep School") is a program offered to selected individuals who were not able to obtain appointments directly to

4032-581: The Army ROTC program’s unconstitutional restrictions against non-Christians. An active duty U.S. Army officer informed MRFF that a list of available “broadening assignments” (i.e. assignments available to captains who have completed their required course and stint as a company commander) contained a listing for the position of Assistant Professor of Military Science for the ROTC program at Wheaton College which required that applicants “Must Be Of Christian Faith,”

4144-555: The COVID-19 pandemic , the academy graduated the Class of 2020 six weeks early. This was the first time that any USAFA class was ever commissioned early, and the first time for any military academy since the Vietnam War . This was also the first time that cadets were commissioned into the U.S. Space Force , with General Jay Raymond administering the oath of office to 86 graduates. The US Space Force established its first unit at

4256-592: The Cadet Gymnasium and the Cadet Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse is the home to Clune Arena , the ice hockey rink and an indoor track, which doubles as an indoor practice facility for a number of sports. Falcon Stadium , located outside of the Cadet Area, is the football field and site of the graduation ceremonies. Many displays around the Cadet Area commemorate heroes and air power pioneers, and serve as an inspiration to cadets. The War Memorial ,

4368-729: The Federal Advisory Committee Act and the BoV Charter. The board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the academy. The board " shall visit the Academy annually" and "typically held at least twice annually with one meeting being at the USAF Academy". The Board prepares semi-annual reports containing its views and recommendations submitted concurrently to

4480-653: The Iowa City, Iowa V.A. Medical Center beginning in 2005 was a client of the MRFF. In 2006 the MRFF criticized a promotional video by Christian Embassy (an offshoot of the evangelical Campus Crusade for Christ ) which was filmed in the Pentagon and featured uniformed generals. Following a MRFF-requested internal investigation carried out by the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General ,

4592-908: The Secretary of Defense , the Senate Armed Services Committee , and the House Armed Services Committee . The 15 members of the BoV are appointed by the president of the United States, the vice president, the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives . Since 2006, the board has been required to include at least two academy graduates. In July 2009, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Colorado Congressman Jared Polis to

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4704-722: The Statue of Liberty wearing a hijab and holding the Quran on her left arm superimposed over a golden crescent and the statement “DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AMERICA.” In 2016, MRFF Action leads to the removal of unconstitutional sectarian religious text from POW/MIA "Missing Man" tables at five federal facilities. In September 2008, the California Council of Churches IMPACT (CCCI), a public policy advocacy organization that represents numerous mainstream Christian and Orthodox Christian communities, formally announced its endorsement of

4816-740: The UKUSA intelligence network serving U.K., U.S. and their allied interests. RAF Croughton houses the 422nd Air Base Group whose mission is to provide installation support, services, force protection, and worldwide communications across the entire spectrum of operations. The group is the premier global communication provider in the U.K. and supports NATO, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Department of State operations and Ministry of Defense operations. The group sustains more than 450 C2 circuits; and supports 25 percent of all European Theater to continental United States (CONUS) communications. RAF Alconbury houses

4928-426: The "Bring Me Men Ramp") leads down from the main Terrazzo level toward the parade field. On in-processing day, new cadets arrive at the base of the ramp and start their transition into military and academy life by ascending the ramp to the Terrazzo . From 1964 to 2004, the portal at the base of the ramp was inscribed with the words "Bring me men ..." taken from the poem, "The Coming American," by Samuel Walter Foss . In

5040-490: The "guardians and stewards" of the code. Cadet honor representatives are chosen by senior leadership, and oversee the honor system by conducting education classes and investigating suspected honor violations. Cadets throughout the Wing are expected to sit on Honor Boards as juries that determine whether their fellow cadets violated the code. Cadets also recommend sanctions for violations. The presumed sanction for an honor violation

5152-581: The 423rd Air Base Group whose mission is to provide mission support services to the Joint Intelligent Operations Center Europe (JIOCEUR) Analytic Center (commonly known as the Joint Analysis Center ), NATO's Intelligence Fusion Center, and the RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth and RAF Upwood and Stavanger Air Base (Norway) communities. RAF Alconbury is also home to the 501st CSW headquarters staff and hosts

5264-471: The 501st CSW has almost 2,600 U.S. military and civilian employees directly assigned, including non-appropriated fund employees. There are also 117 U.K. personnel who work directly for the wing in appropriated and non-appropriated positions and more than 180 U.K. Ministry of Defence Police , Defense Schools and our many tenant units along with family members and retirees who reside in the United Kingdom. The 423d Air Base Group commander, Col. Robert G. Steele,

5376-833: The Air Force . Those reporting to the superintendent include the vice superintendent, dean of the faculty, commandant of cadets, each of whom typically holds the rank of major general or brigadier general , as well as the director of athletics, the commander of the 10th Air Base Wing and the commander of the Prep School , each of whom typically holds the rank of colonel . The 10th Air Base Wing provides all base support functions that exist at other air force bases, including civil engineering, communications, medical support, personnel, administration, security and base services. The Preparatory School provides an academic, athletic and military program for qualified young men and women who may need certain additional preparation prior to acceptance to

5488-694: The Air Force Academy due to their Jewish faith. He described the group's target audience as, "a small subset of Fundamentalist Christianity that's called premilliennial , dispensational , reconstructionist , dominionist , fundamentalist , or just Dominionist Christianity ." He further characterized their antagonism as, "incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation's armed forces." On September 11, 2012, advisory board member Glen Doherty ,

5600-676: The Air Force to resume the class. Following the MRFF threatening suit over the "Crusaders" name and cross and shield logo for the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-122 , the Marine Deputy Commandant for Aviation directed VMFA-122 to revert the unit's identification back to the previous name and logo "Werewolves," on May 24, 2012. On October 8, 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Chaplain Stephen W. Austin directly contacted Weinstein regarding

5712-692: The BoV, the first openly gay person to serve on a service academy's advisory board. There was controversy in December 2020 when President Trump made two lame duck appointments to the BoV: Kellyanne Conway and Heidi Stirrup . Secretary of Defense Austin suspended Defense advisory boards for a review in February 2021. President Biden asked them to resign in September 2021. Stirrup sued the Defense Department in July 2021 over

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5824-410: The Cadet Area at the academy was designated a National Historic Landmark . The main buildings in the Cadet Area are set around a large, square pavilion known as the "Terrazzo," and the most recognizable is the 17-spired Cadet Chapel . The subject of controversy when it was first built, it is now considered among the most prominent examples of modern American academic architecture. Other buildings on

5936-592: The Cadet Wing voted to add an "Honor Oath," which was to be taken by all cadets. The oath is administered to fourth class cadets (freshmen) when they are formally accepted into the Wing at the conclusion of Basic Cadet Training. The oath remains unchanged since its adoption in 1984 and consists of a statement of the code, followed by a resolution to live honorably (the phrase "So help me God" is now optional): We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, (so help me God). Cadets are considered

6048-659: The Defense Department's failure to abide by the Constitutionally mandated separation of Church and State . From its inception, the MRFF has advocated for many active duty U.S. servicemen/women and veterans who have contacted them regarding alleged religious discrimination, harassment, and aggressive proselytizing by Fundamentalist Christians. As of 2024, the MRFF reports that it represents over 88,000 active duty U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, cadets, midshipmen, national guard members, reservists, and veterans, about 95% of whom self-identify as practicing Christians. Of

6160-574: The MRFF demanded that the US Army cease and desist their policy of administering a "spiritual fitness" component to the mandatory Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program test, whereby soldiers' combat readiness and ability are judged on the basis of their religiosity. MRFF criticized the fact that evangelical Christian rock concerts were being organized and funded under the auspices of the Spiritual Fitness program. MRFF litigation sparked by

6272-533: The MRFF's mission. CCCI Board President Rev. John Freeseman stated "Our alignment with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation is on behalf of religious freedom for all people, regardless of belief or non-belief. It is not the function of the U.S. Military to proselytize our troops but to protect our constitutional freedoms." MRFF Senior Research Director Chris Rodda was invited to contribute an essay on religious expression in

6384-530: The RMRF and the DoD. In November 2013, MRFF demanded on behalf of 27 lesbian / gay / bisexual clients that the U.S. Air Force Academy fire “ex-Gay” fundamentalist Christian Mike Rosebush, who claimed he could “cure” gays. In September 2014, pressure from MRFF and allies forced the U.S. Air Force to rescind an unlawful requirement that enlistees state “So Help Me God” in their enlistment oath. Airmen were allowed to omit

6496-627: The Summer of 2020, cadets participated in Expeditionary and Survival Training. From the late 1960s until the mid-1990s, cadets also completed SERE training in the Jacks Valley complex between their fourth- and third-class years. This program was replaced with Combat Survival Training (CST) in 1995 and done away with entirely in 2005. In the summer of 2008, the CST program was reintroduced, but

6608-577: The Terrazzo include Vandenberg Hall and Sijan Hall, the two dormitories; Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility; and Fairchild Hall, the main academic building, which houses academic classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, faculty offices and the Robert F. McDermott Library. The Aeronautics Research Center (also known as the "Aero Lab") contains numerous aeronautical research facilities, including transonic, subsonic, low speed, and cascade wind tunnels ; engine and rocket test cells; and simulators. The Consolidated Education and Training Facility (CETF)

6720-409: The U.S. Army's Airborne School at Fort Moore , Georgia, or the Air Assault School , at Fort Campbell , Kentucky. During the academic year, all cadets take formal classes in military theory, operations and leadership. 501st Combat Support Wing The 501st Combat Support Wing is an administrative support wing of the United States Air Force , based at RAF Alconbury , United Kingdom. It

6832-432: The United Kingdom not directly supporting operations at RAF Mildenhall or RAF Lakenheath . Effective 1 May 2007, it relocated to RAF Alconbury . The 501 CSW currently oversees and supports four Air Base Groups operating a total of eleven installations and operating locations in the U.K. and Norway; the 420th Air Base Group at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford and RAF Welford ; the 421st Air Base Group at RAF Menwith Hill;

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6944-461: The academy grounds include an F-4 , F-15 , F-16 and F-105 on the Terrazzo ; a B-52 by the North Gate; a T-38 and A-10 at the Academy Airfield ; an F-100 by the preparatory school; a SV-5J lifting body next to the aeronautics laboratory; and a Minuteman III missile in front of the Fieldhouse. The Minuteman III was removed 16 years ago in August 2008 due to rusting and other internal damage. The "Core Values Ramp" (formerly known as

7056-454: The academy was revived, and fifteen young female officers were brought in to help with the integration process. The female cadets were initially segregated from the rest of the Cadet Wing but were fully integrated into their assigned squadrons after their first semester. On 28 May 1980, 97 of the original female cadets completed the program and graduated from the academy—just over 10% of the graduating class. Women have made up just over 20% of

7168-447: The academy when Detachment 1 of Space Delta 13 was activated in November 2021. It is expected that approximately 10% of graduates at the academy will enter the Space Force. The campus of the academy covers 18,455 acres (29 sq mi; 75 km ) on the east side of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains , just north of Colorado Springs . Its elevation is normally given as 7,258 feet (2,212 m) above sea level , which

7280-777: The academy's establishment, air power advocates had been pushing for a separate Air Force Academy for decades. As early as 1918, Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Hanlon wrote, "As the Military and Naval Academies are the backbone of the Army and Navy, so must the Aeronautical Academy be the backbone of the Air Service. No service can flourish without some such institution to inculcate into its embryonic officers love of country, proper conception of duty, and highest regard for honor." Other officials expressed similar sentiments. In 1919, Congressman Charles F. Curry introduced legislation providing for an Academy, but concerns about cost, curriculum and location led to its demise. In 1925, air power pioneer General Billy Mitchell testified on Capitol Hill that it

7392-425: The academy's first superintendent. The original 582 sites considered were winnowed to three: Alton, Illinois (by purchasing Principia College ); Lake Geneva , Wisconsin (near Big Foot Beach State Park ); and the ultimate site at Colorado Springs , Colorado. The Secretary of the Air Force, Harold E. Talbott , announced the winning site on 24 June 1954. Meanwhile, Air Training Command (ATC) began developing

7504-479: The academy, but is especially intense during their four summers. The first military experience for new cadets (called "basic cadets") occurs during the six weeks of Basic Cadet Training (BCT), in the summer before their fourth class (freshman) year. During BCT, also known as "beast," cadets learn the fundamentals of military and Academy life under the leadership of a cadre of first and second class cadets. Basic cadets learn military customs and courtesies, proper wear of

7616-401: The academy. All flying programs at the academy are run by the 306th Flying Training Group , which reports to the Air Education and Training Command , ensuring uniformity of flight training with the rest of the Air Force. Congressional oversight of the academy is exercised through a 15-member Board of Visitors (BoV), established under Title 10, United States Code, Section 9455, and governed by

7728-432: The academy. The center's programs, when coupled with the Honor Code and Honor System, establish a foundation for the "leaders of character" that the academy aspires to produce. The academy's organization is unusual in a number of respects. Because it is primarily a military unit, much of the academy's structure is set up like that of any other Air Force Base. This is particularly true of the non-cadet units—most assigned to

7840-413: The academy. The program involves intense academic preparation (particularly in English, math and science), along with athletic and military training, meant to prepare the students for appointment to the academy. A high percentage of USAFA Preparatory School students (known as "Preppies") earn appointments to the academy following their year at the Prep School. The Cadet Honor Code is the cornerstone of

7952-409: The average for non-profit organizations. As one of the voting members of the MRFF's three-member board, he has voted on his own compensation. In 2012, he received total compensation worth US$ 273,355 according to Internal Revenue Service filings accessed on the nonprofit transparency website, GuideStar. According to the MRFF, however, Weinstein does not vote on his own salary, and as of 2022 the MRFF has

8064-606: The case of a cadet squadron, the AOC is normally an active duty Air Force or Space Force major or lieutenant colonel . Occasionally, officers of equivalent rank from the Army, Navy, or Marines may be selected as an AOC for a squadron while on active duty at the academy. For a cadet group, the AOC is normally an active-duty colonel . These officers have command authority over the cadets, counsel cadets on leadership and military career issues, oversee military training and serve as role models for

8176-476: The course was a PowerPoint presentation which allegedly contained a Christian militarist perspective, heavily quoted Judeo-Christian scripture , and contained a synopsis of the Just War Theory of St. Augustine of Hippo . The PowerPoint also contained a slide excerpting the words of former Nazi Party member, SS Sturmbannführer , Wernher Von Braun , who is quoted as stating: "We wanted to see

8288-521: The current first (senior) class is displayed in the center position. Another display often used as a symbol of the academy, the Eagle and Fledglings Statue was given as a gift to the academy in 1958 by the personnel of Air Training Command . It contains the inscription by Austin Dusty Miller, "Man's flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge." Static air- and spacecraft displays on

8400-731: The enemy's petroleum industry on Honshu . These attacks included missions against the Maruzen oil refinery at Shimotso, the Utsobo oil refinery at Yokkaichi and the petroleum center at Kawasaki during the week beginning on 6 July 1945. For its performance on these missions, the group was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation . Following V-J Day , the group dropped supplies to Allied prisoners of war in Japan, Korea, Manchuria and China. It remained at Northwest Field until May 1946, when it became non-operational, and

8512-588: The extremely close ties between the Restore Military Religious Freedom (RMRF) coalition, the Family Research Council , and Rick Joyner, the head of MorningStar Ministries/Heritage International Ministries who proposed a “military takeover” of the U.S. Government on September 30, 2013. MRFF filed a FOIA request on September 23, 2013, regarding a meeting on September 12 of the previous year between representatives of

8624-455: The first academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor due to his heroism while evading capture and in captivity. Sijan Hall, one of the cadet dormitories, is named in his memory. The effects of the anti-war movement were felt at the academy as well. Because the academy grounds are generally open to the public, the academy often became a site for protests by anti-war demonstrators. One of

8736-434: The four classes. Selected first-, second- and third-class cadets hold leadership, operational and support jobs at the squadron, group and wing levels. Cadets live, march and eat meals with members of their squadrons. Military training and intramural athletics are conducted by squadron as well. Each cadet squadron and cadet group is supervised by a specially selected active duty officer called an Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In

8848-422: The fourth-class year are relaxed. After the first year, cadets have more options for summer military training. Between their fourth and third class years, cadets undergo training in interpersonal and small team unit training during Adventure Based Learning (ABL) and may participate in flying gliders , cyber-warfare training, satellite and space operations, unmanned systems, or free-fall parachute training . Until

8960-517: The future officers. In addition to an AOC, cadet squadrons and groups are also supervised by an active duty non-commissioned officer known as an Academy Military Trainer (AMT), who fulfills a similar job as the AOC. The superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy is the commander and senior officer. The position of superintendent is normally held by an active-duty lieutenant general . The superintendent's role

9072-478: The initial development and implementation of a spiritual dimension component for a U.S. Army soldier resilience platform. In October 2013, MRFF exposed close ties between dominionist groups meeting with DoD officials and a fundamentalist leader calling for a military takeover of the U.S. Government. On October 3, 2013, MRFF Senior Research Director Chris Rodda reported in the Huffington Post and DailyKos on

9184-469: The initial reception point for new cadets arriving for Basic Cadet Training. It is named after General Jimmy Doolittle . The Goldwater Visitor Center, named after longtime proponent of the academy United States Senator Barry Goldwater , is the focal point for family, friends and tourists visiting the academy grounds. The Academy Airfield is used for training cadets in airmanship courses, including parachute training, soaring and powered flight. Interment at

9296-510: The marble "strips" on the Terrazzo) and interacting with upper class cadets using a very specific decorum. The fourth-class year ends with "Recognition," a physically and mentally demanding several-day event which culminates in the award of the Prop and Wings insignia to the fourth-class cadets, signifying their ascension to the ranks of upper class cadets. After Recognition, the stringent rules of

9408-401: The military structure of the Cadet Wing, first class cadets hold the positions of cadet officers, second class cadets act as the cadet non-commissioned officers and third class cadets represent the cadet junior non-commissioned officers. The Cadet Wing is divided into four groups , of ten cadet squadrons each. Each cadet squadron consists of about 110 cadets, roughly evenly distributed among

9520-555: The military to the discursive 2010 volume "Attitudes Aren't Free: Thinking Deeply About Diversity in the US Armed Forces" published by Air University Press, the publishing arm of the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base . In December 2012, Weinstein was named #95 of the "100 Most Influential People in U.S. Defense" by Defense News . MRFF founder Weinstein has come under criticism for his salary, which exceeds

9632-455: The most recent classes, with the class of 2016 having the highest proportion of any class, 25%. Many of the women from those early classes went on to achieve success within the Cadet Wing and after graduation (see list of Academy graduates below). Despite these successes, integration issues were long apparent. Female cadets have had consistently higher dropout rates than men and have left the Air Force in higher numbers than men. In response to

9744-482: The most significant events in the history of the academy was the admission of women. On 7 October 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation permitting women to enter the United States service academies. On 28 June 1976, 157 women entered the Air Force Academy with the Class of 1980. Because there were no female upper class cadets, the Air Training Officer model used in the early years of

9856-403: The new cadets, so the Air Force appointed a cadre of " Air Training Officers " (ATOs) to conduct training. The ATOs were junior officers, many of whom were graduates of West Point, Annapolis, VMI , and The Citadel . They acted as surrogate upper class cadets until the upper classes could be populated over the next several years. The academy's dedication ceremony took place on that first day and

9968-461: The period was a "Painful challenge" and the 501 CSW commander (Col. Kimberly Toney) made a statement in an interview to the Stars and Stripes newspaper that indicated the members of the 423rd ABG "blame themselves" for the sacking of Steele. In December 2022, the wing's new headquarters at RAF Fairford was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The first elements are due to relocate there during

10080-544: The phrase until October 2013 when the U.S. Air Force changed their interpretation of 10 USC 502, 5 USC 3331, and Title 32. On September 17, 2014, the Air Force News Service (AFNS) reported that an opinion from the Department of Defense General Counsel would allow an individual to "strike or omit the words “So help me God” from an enlistment or appointment oath if preferred.” In October 2014, MRFF exposed

10192-492: The present. The first class adopted the Cadet Honor Code , and chose the falcon as the Academy's mascot . On 29 August 1958, the wing of 1,145 cadets moved to the present site near Colorado Springs, and less than a year later the academy received accreditation. The first USAFA class graduated and was commissioned on 3 June 1959. The Vietnam War was the first war in which academy graduates fought and died. As such, it had

10304-441: The pressure caused by the release of internal training material via a Freedom of Information Act request, revised the ethical indoctrination course material to which nuclear missile launch officers were exposed as a standard component of their training. The course was defended by a spokesman for the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command as a means of "[helping] folks understand why we're doing what we're doing". Included in

10416-417: The recommendation of the board, Congress passed legislation in 1954 to begin the construction of the Air Force Academy, and President Eisenhower signed it into law on 1 April of that year. The legislation established an advisory commission to determine the site of the new school. Among the panel members were Charles Lindbergh , General Carl Spaatz , and Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon , who later became

10528-520: The religious right American Family Association issued the statement "No More Muslims in the US Military", which explicitly stated that Muslim military enlistees be barred from military service in the United States armed forces on the grounds that "... just as Christians are taught to imitate the life of Christ, so Muslims are taught to imitate the Prophet in all things. Yesterday, Nidal Malik Hasan

10640-452: The remaining 4%, MRFF represents Jewish, Buddhist , Hindu , Sikh , Native American Spiritualist , Humanist , Pagan , Atheist , slightly over 18% of all Muslim Americans in the U.S. military, other minority faith, and non-faith military members, and slightly under 1,000 LGBT military members. MRFF has filed multiple federal lawsuits against the Pentagon and the Secretary of Defense , with military members as co-plaintiffs, asserting

10752-431: The report concluded that several violations of Defense Department policy were committed during the production of the promotional video. Chief among the violations was the obtaining of permission to film the video at the Pentagon by means of a willful "[mischaracterization] of the purpose and proponent of the video" by Chaplain (Colonel) Ralph G. Benson, as well as the acts of officers who used their name, rank, and uniforms as

10864-529: The site contained criticism of President Barack Obama . Weinstein said the incident represented a textbook case of improper religious influence and added, "There's a pervasive pattern of constitutional abuse when you have a wing commander who sends out a direct, proselytizing e-mail with a link to a Web site that slanders the president of the United States." Following the Fort Hood shooting in November 2009,

10976-543: The suspension of the board and in an attempt to remain on the board, however, the lawsuit was dismissed on May 9, 2022. Numerous regular USAF units are based at the academy. Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which, although based at the U.S. Air Force Academy, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location. Direct Reporting Unit Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) Cadets' military training occurs throughout their time at

11088-676: The tail gun, allowing the B-29B to fly a little higher and a little further. The B-29B also had two new radar units installed, the AN/APQ-7 Eagle radar for bombing and navigation and the AN/APG-15 for aiming the tail gun. These two radar units gave the B-29B a distinctive shape as the APQ-7 antenna appeared as a small wing under the fuselage, between the two bomb bay doors and the APG-15 added

11200-414: The top ten in the state in academic standards. Part of School District 20 (D20), its marching band regularly places in the top ten in state championships. D20 also maintains an elementary school on the academy grounds. Other locations on campus serve support roles for cadet training and other base functions. Doolittle Hall is the headquarters of the academy's Association of Graduates and also serves as

11312-501: The uniform, drill and ceremony, and study military knowledge and undergo a rigorous physical training program. During the second half of BCT, basic cadets march to Jacks Valley , where they complete the program in a field encampment environment. Upon completion of BCT, basic cadets receive their fourth-class shoulder boards , take the Honor Oath and are formally accepted as members of the Cadet Wing. The fourth-class (freshman) year

11424-594: The world spared another conflict such as Germany had just been through and we felt that only by surrendering such a weapon [the ballistic missile] to people who are guided by the Bible could such an assurance to the world best be secured," in reference to his 1945 surrender to American occupation forces and subsequent recruitment by the United States Office of Strategic Services via Operation Paperclip . In September 2011, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) encouraged

11536-564: Was added, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) program was expanded, and light aircraft training started in 1968. Many academy graduates of this era served with distinction in the Vietnam War . F-4 Phantom II pilot Steve Ritchie '64 and weapon systems officer Jeffrey Feinstein '68 each became aces by downing five enemy aircraft in combat . 141 graduates died in the conflict; 32 graduates became prisoners of war . Lance Sijan , '65, fell into both categories and became

11648-441: Was broadcast live on national television, with Walter Cronkite covering the event. Arnold W. Braswell was commander of the original four cadet squadrons at the academy 1955 to 1958. In developing a distinctive uniform for cadets, the Air Force turned to Hollywood . Film director Cecil B. DeMille designed the cadet parade uniform still in use. The Class of 1959 established many other important traditions that continue until

11760-401: Was built in 1997 as an annex to Fairchild Hall. It contains chemistry and biology classrooms and labs, medical and dental clinics, and civil engineering and astronautics laboratories. The Cadet Area also contains an observatory and a planetarium for academic use and navigation training. The cadet social center is Arnold Hall, located just outside the Cadet Area, which houses a 2700-seat theater,

11872-488: Was cut again in 2011 and replaced with Expeditionary, Survival, and Evasion Training (ESET) for the summer of 2012 (the Class of 2015 was the first to participate in ESET). During their last two summers, cadets may serve as BCT cadre, travel to active duty Air Force bases and participate in a variety of other research, aviation and leadership programs. They may also be able to take courses offered by other military services, such as

11984-465: Was dismissed from his position on 18 January 2008 by the 501 CSW commander after only 6 months in command. The reason Col. Kimberly Toney gave was "I lost confidence in Col. Steele's ability to lead the group." No criminal charges were filed against Col. Steele. The group commander of RAF Croughton, Col. John Jordan, was brought in to dually command the group at RAF Alconbury. The 501 CSW commander acknowledged

12096-624: Was inactivated on 31 May 1991 after ratification of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty resulted in decommissioning of the BGM-109G. The USAF's first GLCM wing when it stood up, it was the also the last GLCM wing to be inactivated. The unit was redesignated the 501st Combat Support Wing on 22 March 2005 and activated on 12 May 2005 at RAF Mildenhall , England, to manage and support geographically separated USAF units, installations and activities in

12208-583: Was inactivated there on 10 June 1946. The second predecessor of the wing is the 701st Tactical Missile Wing , which was activated on 15 September 1956 at Hahn Air Base , West Germany. The first tactical missile wing in the U.S. Air Force when activated, it replaced the 7382d Guided Missile Group (Tactical), which United States Air Forces in Europe had established at Hahn on 1 February 1956. The 70at controlled three tactical missile groups in Germany, each with one missile squadron of TM-61 Matador missiles and

12320-513: Was necessary "to have an air academy to form a basis for the permanent backbone of your air service and to attend to the ... organizational part of it, very much the same way that West Point does for the Army, or that Annapolis does for the Navy." Mitchell's arguments did not gain traction with legislators, and it was not until the late 1940s that the concept of the United States Air Force Academy began to take shape. Support for an air academy got

12432-404: Was prepared to abandon the design; but the accordion-like structure is acknowledged as an iconic symbol of the academy campus. The buildings in the Cadet Area were designed in a distinct, modernist style, and make extensive use of aluminum on building exteriors, suggesting the outer skin of aircraft or spacecraft. On 1 April 2004, fifty years after Congress authorized the building of the academy,

12544-688: Was simply being a good Muslim." Weinstein's denunciation of the AFA position as "bigoted, racist, [and] vile" was featured prominently by Hatewatch, the official blog of the Southern Poverty Law Center civil rights organization. The MRFF initiated the January 2010 media coverage of the Jesus rifles controversy, when rifle scopes manufactured by US government contractor Trijicon were discovered to be engraved with scripture citations. Within

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