Election Information
Watch a video featuring Cathy McClain '82, Association of Graduates board chair, explaining the upcoming AOG election. AOG members will be voting on an important bylaw change Feb. 4, 2019, through March 18, 2019, and reaching the required quorum of 25% will be essential. Board candidates and their biographies also are posted now!

USAFA New Athletic Director Announcement
U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria '85 announced Dec. 13, 2018, that Nathan Pine has been selected as the Academy's new director of athletics.

USAFA New Commandant Announcement
Next summer, Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin '93, the current Commandant of cadets, will transition to a new job at the Pentagon. Today, the USAF announced her replacement. Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson has a background in space operations and acquisitions and will come from the White House where she directs the Space Policy, National Security Council.

Cadet Satellite Launches into Space
The Academy's FalconSAT program got a boost when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the cadet-built FalconSAT-6 satellite into space December 3, 2018. In addition to government support, the FalconSAT program also is supported by private funding through the USAFA Endowment.

Air Force Academy Research: Cadets Have Role in Creating DoD's First Large Stealth Target Drone
Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy are working with aerospace instructors and industry partners to develop the Defense Department's first large stealth target drone to test missile tracking systems.

Academy Cadet and Prep School Cadet Candidate Advance to Spark Tank Competition Semi-finals
U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School Cadet Candidate Usama Bamieh and Academy Cadet 1st Class Santiago Garcia have Spark Tank projects that are currently being reviewed for possible selection to the competition's final round.

Free Shipping Saturday
Finish up your holiday shopping with National Free Shipping Day on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at shop.usafa.org!

7258' — Your Association at Work
Read the latest issue of the AOG's newsletter.

Don't Forget Year-end Giving
Take advantage of possible charitable gift deductions for 2018 by giving a year-end gift to support the programs that develop USAFA cadets into exceptional leaders of character. Explore ways you can support the Academy and cadets.

Stepping Onto the World Stage
Cadets are completing internships, conducting research and gaining cultural immersion experiences globally through the Stamps Leadership Scholars program.

Ultimate Frisbee Falcon Funder
The national runner-up Air Force Afterburn Ultimate Frisbee team will be the beneficiary of a recently created crowdfunding effort. The site, maintained by the USAFA Endowment, is collecting donations to buy uniforms and offset travel costs to help make the club team accessible to all who want to participate.

NASA Astronaut and Air Force Col. Nick Hague Set for New Space Station Mission
NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Nick Hague '98, who was forced to abort his recent mission to the International Space Station, is scheduled to launch again Feb. 28, 2019, from the Baikonour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Trump Nominates New Commander of Air Force Materiel Command
President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch Jr. '84 to become commander of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Retired Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Penn State Graduate School alumna Dana H. Born '83 received the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Board of Trustees. This award is the university's highest honor presented to its alumni. Born was one of eight alumni to receive the award this year.

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's Executive Director Receives Presidential Rank Award
The White House recently recognized the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's Executive Director Joseph Oder '89 as a 2018 Air Force recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive.

Academy Grad 'Toughs It Out' to Take Women's 2nd Place at 'Mudder'
Capt. Erin Rost '14, who only began obstacle course racing in 2016, ran right straight into her 75-mile goal, placing second in one of the world's toughest obstacle course races.

5 Interesting Facts About New Director of Air Force Museum
Former Assistant Deputy Chief Management Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, David Tillotson III '75, was recently appointed as the director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Brain Surgery to Bear Hugs: One Wounded Warrior's Story
From an all-time low to bear hugging England's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, while in Australia to compete in the Invictus Games, things are looking up for retired Air Force Capt. Rob Hufford '06.

Chadwick Shares Tales From Time in Service
Veteran Bob Chadwick '70 comes from a long line of military personnel; his grandfather during World War II, both great-grandfathers and his great-great uncle in the Civil War. Chadwick's parents, Paul and Ellie Chadwick, met during World War II. Chadwick talked about his passion for military history and about how the Rochelle community honors veterans each year.

AF Grad Among NCAA 2019 Silver Anniversary Award Recipients
Col. Tim Cullen '94 is one of six former student-athletes who will receive the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in January, recognizing their collegiate and professional achievements.

Air Force Academy's Schulte Assembly Hosts Gender Discussion with Academy Superintendent
Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria '85 said inclusiveness makes the Air Force better for all and he's pleased that today's generation of cadets identifies airmen regardless of gender.

306th Operations Support Squadron at Air Force Academy Grabs Top Honor
The nine-person airfield management crew responsible for the Air Force Academy airfield and the Academy Bullseye Auxiliary Airfield near Ellicott, Colorado, was recognized by Air Education and Training Command with the Ronald B. McCarthy Airfield Management Facility of the Year Award.

Air Force Zooms Past Davenport for National Rugby Championship
Air Force Academy shut down Davenport 40-27 to win the 2018 Women's D1 College fall championship, showcasing some impressive and balanced play in the process.

Cadet Named First-team Academic All-American
Air Force defensive back Cadet 2nd Class Garrett Kauppila is the first Academic All-American football player at Air Force since Ryan Carter in 2004 and just the 31st player to ever earn the honor in program history. Kauppila has a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in management.

Falcon Men's Soccer Wins Regional Staff of the Year
The Air Force Men's Soccer coaching staff was named Far West Region Div. I Staff of the Year. The Falcons were led by two grads, head coach Doug Hill '83 and associate head coach Chris Foster '89, and assisted by Hank Lewis and Tyler Amerman.

• Tucker Bone and Austin Dewing Earn All-America Honors

AD's Corner with Col. Jen Block - December Edition
Col. Jen Block '92 gives her final report from the AD's corner. Plenty happened in the last month for Air Force Athletics.