USAF Academy

• Founding Year: The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) was established in 1954, making it the youngest of the five U.S. service academies. • Location: The Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with its campus covering approximately 18,500 acres at the base of the Rocky Mountains. • Iconic Cadet Chapel: The USAFA Cadet Chapel, completed in 1962, is a National Historic Landmark and famous for its unique and futuristic architecture featuring 17 spires. • First Graduating Class: The first class of cadets graduated in 1959, numbering 207 men; women were first admitted in 1976. • Honor Code: Cadets live by the strict Honor Code: "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." • Falcon Mascot: The Academy’s mascot is the falcon. USAFA was the first military academy to have a live bird mascot, and falconry remains an integral part of cadet life. • Academics and Athletics: USAFA offers a rigorous academic curriculum alongside mandatory athletic participation; it fields 27 varsity sports teams known as the "Falcons." • World War II Inspiration: The need for an independent Air Force academy arose during World War II, resulting in its postwar establishment after the U.S. Air Force became its own branch in 1947. • Notable Alumni: Graduates include astronauts, generals, politicians, and the first USAFA graduate to become the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz. • Wings of Blue: The "Wings of Blue" parachute team is world-renowned and has won numerous national championships, performing at airshows and sporting events across the country.