United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is a U.S. service academy located in Air Force Academy, Colorado, immediately north of Colorado Springs. Established on April 1, 1954, it educates cadets for service as officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants. The academy's campus spans 18,455 acres (7,500 ha) at an elevation of 2,212 meters (7,258 feet) above sea level. The Cadet Area, designed in a modernist style with extensive use of aluminum, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004. Notable structures include the 17-spired Cadet Chapel, Vandenberg Hall, Sijan Hall, Mitchell Hall, and Fairchild Hall.

The academy's operations are overseen by a Superintendent, typically a lieutenant general. Base support functions are provided by the 10th Air Base Wing, while flying programs are managed by the 306th Flying Training Group. The U.S. Space Force also maintains units, including Space Delta 10 and Space Delta 13 Detachment 1, at the academy. Cadets undergo rigorous military training, including Basic Cadet Training, and participate in airmanship courses such as soaring, parachuting, and powered flight at the Academy Airfield. The academic program emphasizes science and engineering, with a comprehensive core curriculum. All cadets engage in an extensive athletic program, including intercollegiate and intramural sports. The academy has faced controversies related to honor code violations, sexual assault allegations, and religious atmosphere concerns throughout its history.