WATCH: 2024 Air Force Academy graduation
"It is my firsthand experience that this academy produces some of the greatest pilots in the world,” Vice President Kamala Harris said.
The Air Force Academy graduation began at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Falcon Stadium and The Gazette will have full coverage throughout the day.
Gates opened at 6:30 a.m. Performances by the Sabre Drill Team, In the Stairwell, The Aerodynamics and the U.S. Air Force Academy Band began at 8 a.m. and ended around 9:15 a.m.
The commencement speaker is Vice President Kamala Harris. This is her first time speaking to an Air Force Academy graduating class. Be aware that there will likely be temporary road closures and increased traffic along Interstate 25 and other major roads because of the vice president’s motorcade.
Live highlights
Vice President Harris officially arrived at Falcon Stadium just before 10 a.m. Lt. Gen. Richard Clark asked for a selfie at the beginning of his remarks.
“Hey, I’m retiring tomorrow!” he said.
Then, Harris took to the podium. She began by complimenting the Air Force Academy in her opening statements.
“Since taking office, I have flown nearly 400,000 miles, across continents, with the help of graduates of this very academy,” Harris said. “So it is my firsthand experience that this academy produces some of the greatest pilots in the world.”
During her remarks, the vice president gave examples of U.S. air superiority, including the Air Force’s efforts to deter Russia on NATO’s eastern flank, protecting the people of Ukraine with missile warnings and keeping the Indo-Pacific a free and open region.
Additionally, the U.S. ensured that 99% of the 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran did not reach their target in April.
Harris called on Air Force Academy graduates to uphold the nation’s air dominance.
“Our nation is counting on you to preserve and extend that strength,” she said.
At 12 p.m., Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks administered the Oath of Office to the 974 graduates.
At 12:05 p.m., Class of 2024 was dismissed. Thunderbirds flyover and hat toss complete.
Vice President Kamala Harris calls on USAFA graduates to build upon U.S. air superiority
Stay with us here for updates on traffic and, of course, the Thunderbirds’ scheduled flyover as the ceremony ends and graduates commission into the Air Force or Space Force as second lieutenants.
Click or tap here to watch a livestream of the graduation, which is also embedded at the top of this article.
On social media
On X, formerly known as Twitter, follow Gazette reporters @maryshinn and @AbbeySoukup2 for updates and highlights from Falcon Stadium (and as cell coverage and Wi-Fi allows).
By the numbers
974 – graduates, including 669 men (69%) and 305 women (31%).
15 – graduates combined from Cambodia, Cameroon, Kosovo, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Philippines (2), Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia and Vietnam.
3.185 – cumulative GPA.
17.2% – attrition rate.
56,652 – total graduates through the years at the Academy, which had its first graduates in 1959.
819 – Academy graduates who have attained the rank of general (as of April 12, 2022).
Traffic updates
Click or tap here for traffic updates on The Gazette’s interactive local road map.
When will the Thunderbirds fly over?
The Thunderbirds will fly over Falcon Stadium around 1:15 p.m. as the graduation ceremony ends.
As dark clouds loomed to the north of Peterson Space Force Base on Wednesday, the Thunderbirds took off for a training flight to help prepare them for possible thunderstorms during the Academy’s graduation on Thursday.
“This is a perfect scenario of what we potentially could see tomorrow,” said Lt. Col. Taylor “Flash” Wight, a pilot with the Thunderbirds and director of operations.
The National Weather Service’s meteorologist Michael Garberoglio said there is a “marginal outlook for severe weather” near the Academy, with storms starting to set in around noon to 1 p.m. A chance of hail is possible in the afternoon.
Who is the Air Force Academy class of 2024?
The class of 2024’s class motto is Uniter Sustinemus meaning “United We Endure.” This class of cadets endured the challenging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Class leadership, photo galleries and more can be viewed on the Air Force Academy class of 2024’s website. For the 2024 Air Force Academy commencement program, click or tap here.
Where are visitors able to park?
There are multiple parking lots around Falcon Stadium available for visitors. Lot 1 is reserved for staff. Lots 2 and 3 are for visitors coming from South Gate. Lots 4, 5 and 5A are for visitors coming from North Gate. Once the ceremony begins, visitors will not be permitted to enter.
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