COLORADO SPRINGS — Congratulations to the US Air Force Academy Class of 2023. President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address and shook the hands of 921 graduates as they received their diplomas today.
President Biden addressed the class of 2023 cadets by opening with, " I trust my life to Academy cadets." Citing his two Air Force One Pilots as being graduates from the class of 1999 and 2001.
Biden took a moment to thank the parents of the class of 2023 saying, "We thank you to all the parents and families, and sponsor families out there in the stands. You supported these cadets throughout their lives. You taught them how to stand up, never bow, never kneel, never yield. You inspired them to put integrity first... to pursue excellence in all they do."
Biden directed the graduates to stand up and give their families a round of applause.
Biden told graduates, "You're not just commissioning into the Air Force and Space Force, you're commissioning into a joint force. One that's working more closely together across the service branches than ever before in new ways, to deter if necessary, defeat every threat to our nation."
Near the end of the ceremony, President Biden took a fall after tripping on a sandbag. He was helped up by officers and returned to his seat on the stage.
Watch Biden's full commencement speech below.
Road Closures
Closures include the Santa Fe Trail and roads under the show area, 11:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, and 10 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25. Closures include:
- Stadium Boulevard - from Pine Drive to North Gate Blvd
- Community Center Drive - from Stadium Blvd. to E. Douglass Drive
- Academy Drive - from Stadium Blvd. to Lot 6
- The Santa Fe Trail from Tri-intersection Bridge to Parade Loop
For public safety, drivers are reminded not to stop along Interstate 25 or any roads on the Academy to watch any of the Thunderbird performances.
US Air Force Academy Class of 2023
When the cadets first entered the Air Force Academy in 2019, there were of them 1155, and now 921 of them have made it to graduation.
It's a really hard four years, both physically and emotionally, as these young cadets get prepared to enter our military while balancing their academics.
Basic Cadet Training is a six-week program to guide Basic Cadets from being civilians to military academy cadets. They have their physical, emotional, and mental limits pushed.
During the field day, their teamwork is put to the test through relays, distance races, and tug of war.
During the second round of basic training, cadets go to Jack’s Valley.
Jack's Valley is a 3,000-acre rural training area on the Academy where they have their physical limits pushed and are introduced to small unit tactics and guns.
Here are some facts about the class of 2023:
- 1155 Inducted in 2019
- New US Cadets: 1135, International Students: 12, Turnbacks: 8
- Graduating: 921
Learn more with the US Air Force Academy Cadet Fact Sheet
Flight Restrictions
The Federal Aviation Administration enacted flight restriction rules across Colorado Springs and El Paso County beginning at 5:30 pm Wednesday until 3:45 pm Thursday.
In addition to traditional aircraft, this also impacts anyone who uses a drone for commercial or hobby purposes, skydiving, hang gliding, balloons, crop dusting, banner towing, sightseeing, model aircraft, and model rockets.
Read the full guidance from the FAA.
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