It’s graduation day Wednesday at the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium, where more than 1,000 cadets become officers. 

Can’t see the video at the top of this article? Go to this link: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast

UPDATES

12:15 p.m. The graduation ceremony is completed. 

9:45 a.m.: The cadets have arrived!

9:13 a.m.: A small group of protesters showed up at the academy’s south gate in support of three senior cadets who were denied a waiver on religious grounds after refusing COVID-19 Vaccinations.

9:08 a.m.: With all of the controversy surrounding the use of the nickname “Thunderbirds” at Colorado schools, the Gazette editorial board weighed in on the use of the same name for the Air Force’s elite flying demonstration team. Read more here

8:58 a.m.: Performances by the Honor Guard, the Cadet Chorale, the Sabre Drill Team and the a cappella group, “In The Stairwell” have wrapped up. The growing crowd is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the graduating class of 2022.

8 a.m.: The Gazette crew is on scene.

Gazette coverage:

The roar of the Thunderbirds’ aircraft above the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium will temporarily drown out cheers on the ground Wednesday afternoon, signaling the end of a four-year journey for more than 1,000 graduating Air Force Academy cadets.

Gazette reporters will cover the event live, from the cadets marching into Falcon Stadium at 9:30 a.m., to the keynote speech from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, to the 30-minute aerobatic display from the Thunderbirds — timed to coincide with the traditional hat toss from the U.S. Air Force’s newest lieutenants.

Gazette reporters Jessica Snouwaert (@JessySnouwaert), O’Dell Isaac (@IketheScribe) and Annika Schmidt (@annikaschmidt_) will provide Twitter updates throughout the ceremony.

Here are some tips for Wednesday’s events:

Base access

Both the north and south gates open at 7 a.m. Expect long lines and traffic delays at the stadium and on the interstate prior to and following the event. No one will be allowed to enter the stadium once the ceremony begins.

Unvaccinated Air Force Academy graduates to get degrees, but commissions on hold

Masks

Face coverings are optional.

Thunderbirds Air Show

In accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration, several roads will be closed under the performance area from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closures will include:

• Stadium Boulevard from Pine Drive to North Gate Boulevard.

• Community Center Drive from Stadium Boulevard to East Douglass Drive.

• Academy Drive from Stadium Boulevard to Lot 6.

• The Santa Fe Trail from Tri-intersection Bridge to Parade Loop.

Motorists who want to watch the air show are advised to find a parking spot early and not to park on Interstate 25.