On Wednesday, thousands of people will flood the Air Force Academy to watch about 1,000 cadets greet President Barack Obama while receiving their diplomas.

The event is steeped in tradition and is one of the most colorful graduations in the nation, complete with a flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds in F-16 jets.

Security is tight during the ceremony — even more stringent this year due to Obama’s commencement address.

From the time the crowd filters in to when the cadets toss their uniform caps into the air, The Gazette will be bringing you live coverage of the event. We’ll keep you up to date on events in Falcon Stadium and how the graduation with its presidential visit is impacting traffic in northern Colorado Springs.

See a slide show of past Air Force Academy graduations HERE

Final preparations were made bright and early Wednesday for President Barack Obama’s Air Force Academy graduation speech later in the morning. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Jessica Barbee and Doug Bates, center, toss their hats along with everyone else as the Thunderbirds fly over. Thousands of family members and friends crowded Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, ,May 27, 2009 to watch 1046 cadets get com Photo by staff photographer

Bryan Oller

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