Air Force Academy Guide
the vision
1947-1954
As aviation advanced after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, the nation’s military aviation service followed a constantly growing lineage from
1907 to 1947. Officials had discussed the establishment of an aeronautical academy much earlier, but it wasn’t until the Air Force became a separate service in 1947 under the National
Security Act that official plans began.
Still the Air Force Academy plan made little progress until 1949 when Secretary of Defense
James Forrestal appointed a board of military and civilian educators. This board, headed by
Dwight D. Eisenhower, then Columbia University
President, and Robert L. Stearns, University of
Colorado President, was tasked to recommend a general system of education for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Congress finally authorized creation of the
Academy in 1954. Harold E. Talbot, thenSecretary of the Air Force, appointed a commission to assist him in selecting the permanent site. After traveling 21,000 miles and considering 580 proposed sites in 45 states, the commission recommended three locations.
The main question of concern for the Colorado location was if the mountains or wind currents would affect flight training. Famous aviator
Charles Lindbergh flew over the proposed site and declared it fit for flying. Secretary Talbot selected the site near Colorado Springs, and the state of Colorado contributed $1 million toward the purchase of the property.
united states air force academy
i
building the future
1955-1965
In August 1958 the Academy was ready for occupancy. After completing Basic Cadet
Training at Lowry, the Class of 1962 was bussed to the north gate and marched five miles up the hill to the newly constructed cadet area.
Less than a year later the Academy received academic accreditation, and then the first class graduated and was commissioned June 3, 1959.
One aspect that sets the Academy apart from the other military service academies is
1947-1954
As aviation advanced after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, the nation’s military aviation service followed a constantly growing lineage from
1907 to 1947. Officials had discussed the establishment of an aeronautical academy much earlier, but it wasn’t until the Air Force became a separate service in 1947 under the National
Security Act that official plans began.
Still the Air Force Academy plan made little progress until 1949 when Secretary of Defense
James Forrestal appointed a board of military and civilian educators. This board, headed by
Dwight D. Eisenhower, then Columbia University
President, and Robert L. Stearns, University of
Colorado President, was tasked to recommend a general system of education for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Congress finally authorized creation of the
Academy in 1954. Harold E. Talbot, thenSecretary of the Air Force, appointed a commission to assist him in selecting the permanent site. After traveling 21,000 miles and considering 580 proposed sites in 45 states, the commission recommended three locations.
The main question of concern for the Colorado location was if the mountains or wind currents would affect flight training. Famous aviator
Charles Lindbergh flew over the proposed site and declared it fit for flying. Secretary Talbot selected the site near Colorado Springs, and the state of Colorado contributed $1 million toward the purchase of the property.
united states air force academy
i
building the future
1955-1965
In August 1958 the Academy was ready for occupancy. After completing Basic Cadet
Training at Lowry, the Class of 1962 was bussed to the north gate and marched five miles up the hill to the newly constructed cadet area.
Less than a year later the Academy received academic accreditation, and then the first class graduated and was commissioned June 3, 1959.
One aspect that sets the Academy apart from the other military service academies is