The F-16 Thunderbirds perform a flyover as cadets throw their caps in the air following the 2026 Air Force Academy graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)
900 new officers were commissioned into the Air Force and Space Force during a graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium with guest speaker Vice President JD Vance on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The F-16 Thunderbirds perform a flow-over as cadets throw their caps in the air following the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet celebrates with the crowd at the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets march into Falcon Stadium for the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets celebrate after the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet waves to her family from her seat during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)The crowd cheers as cadets receive their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet celebrates with the crowd at the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet from Niger waves his country’s flag during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Vice President J.D. Vance delivers his commencement speech during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet show the heart sign to the crowd with Vice President J.D. Vance in the background after receiving his degree during 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Air Force cadets stand at attention during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets celebrate after the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets celebrate after the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets prepare for the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet prepares for the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)The crowd fills Falcon Stadium as the new Air Force Academy goals are unveiled at the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)The crowd cheers as cadets receive their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)A cadet celebrates with the crowd at the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets march into Falcon Stadium for the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets prepare for their oath after receiving their diplomas at the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets raise their right hands for the Oath of Office upon being commissioned as officers during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Cadets celebrate after the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans)Air Force Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Cadets relax in the stands before the start of the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Vice President JD Vance delivers the graduation address during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)A pair of epaulettes sit under a cadet’s chair during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)An Air Force Cadet wipes off seats in the rain before the start of the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)An Air Force Cadet fixes her friend’s sash at their seats during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)An Air Force Cadet from Ghana waves his country’s flag during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Vice President JD Vance delivers the graduation address during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Air Force Graduates (from left) Caroline Friedrick, Sarah Willis, and Dominique Ramirez-Sefo change one another’s epaulettes at the end of the 2026 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)
