Colorado Springs, Colorado. (February 20, 2024): The Air Force Academy held its annual Firstie Flag exercises this week to give Senior Cadets the chance to “show what they know” while making valuable contacts in their respective career fields. In this photo by Trevor Cokley, a cadet tracks incoming threats using the latest technology and under battle stress conditions. During the exercise, Cadets demonstrate their ability to work together, to solve problems “on the fly,” and to improvise solutions under realistic conditions. The goal is to prepare these cadets for future conflicts with great power adversaries. The interaction also allows these young officers the chance to meet senior practitioners of their chosen craft. It introduces first-class cadets to their future jobs and the roles they will play in a future fight.

The space operations team, for example, confronted anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital, and cyber threats and formulated plans to counter them. The team later presented their findings to the class for further discussion and brainstorming. At the same time, cadets received guidance from senior operators in their field and the opportunity to develop relationships with experts in their chosen field.

During these sessions, students met with some eighty faculty and staff, including air officers, air mobility trainers, and senior mentors from the graduate community. These contacts may prove invaluable as these Cadets graduate and serve as line officers in tomorrow’s Air Force.