Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to be Air Force Academy Class of 2021 Commencement Speaker
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley, will be the commencement speaker for the Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony on May 26, 2021.

Letter from the Superintendent Regarding Reunions
Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark '86 has given the green light for reunions in the fall of 2021. Please read his letter outlining their mission and hopes for this fall.

Air Force Unveils New Mission Statement
The Air Force released its new mission statement: "To fly, fight, and win ... airpower anytime, anywhere." This change emphasizes the primary competitive advantage and capabilities airpower provides to the nation and joint operations.

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

Department of Biology Sculpture
Former head of the USAFA Department of Biology Dr. John Putnam is spearheading a $5,000 crowdfunding project to purchase a statue of the Department's unofficial mascot, the red-eyed tree frog, Agalychnis callidryas. Putnam writes in the project description, "... we want the statue to contribute to the pride and sense of belonging so valued by the Department. As with all mascots, the frog will support unity and camaraderie among and between the biology majors and the Department's faculty and staff."

Save the Date for Fall 2021 Events
The history of the U.S. Air Force Academy is full of defining moments — for cadets, for graduates, for the Air Force and for the country. During at least three weekends this fall, the Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates will add a significant defining moment to the list! Events are planned in Washington, D.C., Colorado Springs and Dallas, Texas. A list of events is available online at afacademyfoundation.org/DefiningMoments.

Real Estate Trust
The Air Force Academy Foundation has created the Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust to accept gifts of property in support of the Air Force Academy. The Real Estate Trust website — afacademyfoundation.org/ret — offers more details about donating real property.

Commandant of Cadets Announcement
In the coming months, USAFA will welcome its 30th commandant of cadets. It's been announced that Brig. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Class of 1995, will be assigned as commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Inglis to be Nominated as National Cyber Director
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Chris Inglis '76 will be nominated to the new post of National Cyber Director. He was a Distinguished Graduate Award honoree in 2018 and currently serves as a U.S. Naval Academy Looker Distinguished Visiting Professor for Cyber Studies, as a managing director at Paladin Capital, a member of the boards of several public and private corporations, and as a commissioner on the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

Discussion with Col. (Ret.) Colvin
2020 Distinguished Graduate Award honoree Col. (Ret.) Gail Colvin '80 shares with today's cadets how her experiences as a graduate, former vice commandant of cadets and current USAFA director of staff required tough-mindedness, empathy, respect and grit.

Above and Beyond
For more than 20 years, Jim Demarest '82 has been on a mission to determine exactly what happened and to ensure that Capt. Stephen R. Phillis '82 is recognized at a level he deserves. Capt. Phillis was killed in action when his A-10 was shot down during Desert Storm.

Alaska Air National Guard Commander Promoted
Brig. Gen. Tracy Smith '94, assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on April 1. The newly minted general took command of the Alaska Air National Guard in January.

Ex-Air Force Pilot Shares Knowledge to Broaden Students' Horizons
Michael C. Ryan '82 has packed a lot of living and learning into his life, and now he is sharing those lessons with his students. This world affairs instructor has nearly four decades of public and private sector service, first as an A-10 fighter pilot during the Cold War and most recently as a high-ranking civilian who served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy.

Veterans Spotlight
Peter Uchmanowicz '88 served his country for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He comes from a military family: his grandfather fought in World War I, his father served in Korea and Vietnam, his brother flew B-52s during Operation Desert Storm, and his son is currently a captain and flight instructor in the U.S. Air Force.

Academy Dean Recognizes Excellent Research at Annual Awards Ceremony
Despite challenges the coronavirus created for the Defense Department and the U.S., research at the Air Force Academy is still thriving and celebrated. Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre '96, the Academy's dean of the faculty, hosted the institution's annual Research Awards Ceremony April 6 to highlight the research of cadets and faculty members over the last year.

Harvey Named MW Freshman of the Year
C4C Joi Harvey was one of the league's most proficient attackers this season. She is the first Air Force player to ever earn a postseason volleyball award from the Mountain West, and the first to earn an individual conference award since 1984.

Air Force Caps 2021 Campaign with Eight USAG All-Americans
The women's gymnastics team concluded the 2021 campaign with eight All-Americans earning 11 accolades at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships.