President Trump to Speak at Academy Graduation
President Donald Trump will give the commencement address for the Class of '19 graduation ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 30, at Falcon Stadium. This is Trump's first visit to the Air Force Academy as president. The last president to deliver a commencement speech at the school was Barack Obama in 2016.

BOV Meets at Polaris Hall
The United States Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors met in open session Wednesday, May 1. Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria '85, USAFA superintendent, reported to the BOV that Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin '93 was removed as commandant of cadets and that Col. Scott Campbell '95, vice commandant of cadets, is now serving as the acting commandant.

Cadet Chapel to Remain Open Through September
The Cadet Chapel will remain open through Sept. 1, 2019, as the Academy continues to work toward a funding solution for sorely needed repairs.

From the Sky to the Classroom: Air Force Academy Launches Virtual Tour
So you want to visit the Academy but don't feel like leaving home? All you need is the internet, thanks to an interactive, 360-degree virtual tour the school launched May 1. Visit www.usafa.edu/virtualtour to experience the tour.

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

2018 USAFA Endowment Annual Report Now Online
Gifts made in 2018 are preparing cadets for their future roles as leaders, the Air Force Academy for its future programs and the nation for its future combat readiness. The 2018 USAFA Endowment annual report provides an overview of 2018 accomplishments and a glimpse of what to expect in the future.

Photo Album: Academy Supporters at San Antonio Spurs Event
Gregg Popovich '70, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and a USAFA Endowment board director, welcomed Endowment supporters prior to the Spurs victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Endowment event included dinner and tickets to the game. See a few photos from the event.

Take Charge of Your Estate
Take the first step toward putting your estate in order with the USAFA Endowment's free Estate Planning Guide. The step-by-step guide will help you understand the basics of estate planning and gather information that is important to creating a plan that works best for you.

Heighten Your USAFA Impact
Your gift to the Air Force Academy Fund enables the USAFA Endowment to fulfill its mission of providing ongoing transformative support to the Air Force Academy and its mission of developing leaders of character for the nation. Annual gifts of $1,000 or more to the Air Force Academy Fund qualify donors for special Sabre Society recognition.

Academy Announces Finalist for Next Dean of Faculty
The U.S. Air Force Academy announced April 26 that Col. Linell Letendre '96 is the remaining finalist in the selection process for the Academy's 11th Dean of the Faculty.

'You Can't Tell What's Ahead for You'
Col. (Ret.) Henry "Hank" Hoffman '63 was invited by the Cadet Wing's Group 1 to speak about his Vietnam experiences during a Commander's Call April 25 in Arnold Hall.

Character Takes Flight
The Wings of Blue program traces its roots to 1962, when retired Lt. Gen. Jay Kelley '64 and a handful of fellow "rebel" cadets started a skydiving club.

To Love and Serve
Lt. Cols. Mark '03 and Elia Hickie '03 are married and commanders of the 88th Fighter Training Squadron and 89th Flying Training Squadrons, respectively, both under the 80th Flying Training Wing. They are Sheppard's 80th Flying Training Wing's first married couple to each be squadron commanders.

U.S. Air Force Academy Grads Find Purpose in Cross-Country Bicycle Tour
On April 1, Jim Hansen '69 joined fellow classmate and alumnus Rick Olafson '69 and a group of 15 other cyclists for a 49-day, 3,037-mile voyage that started in San Diego and will come to an end May 18 in St. Augustine, Fla. The Save-22-a-Day Trans-America Bicycle Tour is promoting veterans' charities that address suicide prevention.

Classmates Participate in Mick's Memorial Ride
Avid bicyclist Mick Rosenblatt '70 had big plans for his 70th birthday, as he hoped to celebrate the milestone by completing a 70-mile ride from Waco, Texas, to the home of USAFA classmate Steve Heyroth in Hamilton, Texas. But on the morning of Feb. 10, 2018 — during training for his upcoming birthday ride — Mick passed away from cardiac arrest while in the saddle of his bicycle. A year later, Rosenblatt's wife and several of her husband's USAFA classmates and friends decided to complete the 70-mile bike ride that Mick had failed to complete the year before.

The First Woman to Pilot an F-35 Fighter Jet Talks Sexism and 'Killing Bad Guys'
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Christine Mau '97, who now works for Lockheed Martin training F-35 pilots, says "flying is the ultimate equalizer."

Drone Operator Assists 500 Flood Victims
It is the devastating occurrences, such as natural disasters, that bring out heroes and Maj. Steven Bogert '07, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, is among them.

'Where It Belongs:' Couple Reunites Lost Air Force Ring with Air Force Academy
Jim and Julie Hegemann found the ring at an old rental property they owned. They shared their story before Christmas and found out the Air Force Academy cadet had died in a car crash when he was 21. No relatives ever came forward, and now the ring is back at the Air Force Academy on display here at Doolittle Hall.

Accreditation Process Begins at Air Force Academy
A team from the Higher Learning Commission was recently at the Air Force Academy to determine if the school meets the standards to reaffirm its accredited status.

Academy Supports Denim Day, International Movement Against Sexual Assault
Cadets and airmen at the Air Force Academy opted to wear denim April 24 to show solidarity for victims of sexual assault. They participated in Denim Day, an international effort to raise awareness and promote respect.

Academy Cadets Take 1st Place at NSA-sponsored Cyber Competition
The competition pitted more than 100 cadets and midshipmen from the U.S. service academies against each other to test their cybersecurity skills. During the exercise, cadets and midshipmen worked with NSA personnel to accomplish and evaluate cyber mission strategies and cyber-operations scenarios.

Cultural Immersion Program Trips Make 'The World a Bit Smaller'
Cadet 1st Class Brianna Murray came to the Air Force Academy looking for a chance to be part of something bigger than herself, and recently realized part of that goal with a Cultural Immersion Program trip to East Africa.

2019 Mid-America Regional Champs
Air Force softball beat Arkansas State earning the title of 2019 Mid-America Regional champs. Next stop is the NCSA World Series from May 16-19 in Columbus, Georgia.

Vikings Draft Austin Cutting
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Cutting, a senior long snapper, in the seventh round of the NFL draft, making him the first Falcon player taken in the NFL draft since Bryce Fisher 20 years ago. Cutting isn't the only former Falcon with the possibility of making an NFL roster.

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Calling All Past USAFA Philmont Rangers
Have you been back to Philmont on a trek since your days as a USAFA Ranger? Do you miss hiking the scenic trails, the aspen covered hills, the smell of Ponderosa Pine, or watching the sunrise from the top of the Tooth of Time? Interested in designing and participating in a 5-day, 4-night trek with your family and other staff alumni? The Philmont Staff Association (PSA) is looking for you. We are missing many of the USAFA Rangers' information in the staff database, so please contact Dollie O'Neill at the PSA office 575-376-1138 to update your information. Visit the PSA website to learn more about the PSA and how it continues to support Philmont and Waite Phillips' vision. While there, consider joining the PSA at one of the membership levels ranging from a yearly $20 e-membership up to a one time $595 life membership. IWGBTP!