VOL. 45 NO.33 AUGUST 19, 2005 Inside COMMENTARY Academy ranks among top U.S. colleges Liberty, justice for all – in due time, Page 2 Degree programs retain NEWS New combat training, air, space superiority Page 3 Academy warns about By John Van Winkle ‘Dirty Dozen,’Page 5 Air Force Academy Public Affairs Stop thieves, page 6 One-week extension Several of the U.S. Air Force Academy granted for Iraqi undergraduate engineering programs rank constitution, Page 7 among the top in the nation, according to the AFNEWS broadcasts on U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best desktops, Page 8 Colleges 2006 rankings. The U.S. News & World Report rankings FEATURE were released today. Gooood morning Air Force The rankings are separated by which Academy, Page 12 universities offer graduate education International program programs, and those which have only under- gives worldly perspective, graduate programs, such as the Air Force Pages 14-15 Academy. Overall, the Academy’s under- SPORTS graduate engineering programs ranks #7 in Hospital #1 is #1, Page 16 the nation this year, while the Academy’s COMCAL, Page 19 aeronautical and astronautical engineering specialties were ranked #2 in the nation. “This recognition is truly an honor, and Briefly I believe it highlights three important aspects of academics at your U.S. Air Force Gen. Jumper to retire Academy,” said Brig. Gen. Dana Born, Dean Air Force Chief of Staff of the Faculty. “First, we have talented and Gen. John P. Jumper will dedicated ‘Total Force’ faculty – both our retire after 39 years of active duty, Guard and reserve military and service at a Sept. 2 ceremony civilians – who work very closely with our at Andrews AFB, Md. His cadets to provide this world-renowned educa- effective date of retirement tion. Fifty-four percent of our faculty have will be Nov. 1. PhDs, which is astounding for an under- Acting Secretary of the Air graduate school.” Force Pete Geren will preside “Second, the Air Force has provided over the ceremony, and Gen. great support to keep our facilities and equip- T. Michael Moseley, ment among the best in the country,” added currently serving as Air the general. Force vice chief of staff, will “Third, we have established a national, be sworn in as the 18th Air even international, reputation as a premiere Force Chief of Staff. university. We have an Athens and Sparta The ceremony will air live on charter,” said the general, referring to the ancient Greek cities, with Athens being Photo by Joel Strayer the Pentagon Channel and Former Cadet 1st Class Luke Haywas (now 2nd Lt.) works on the FalconSAT-3 renowned for education and being the birth- through streaming video satellite in the Academy’s Class 100,000 clean room, after the satellite finished online at www.af. place of democracy, and Sparta known for vibration and thermal testing in February. Another multidisciplinary cadre of its warrior culture and the ferocity of its cadets will finish work on FalconSAT-3 and its five scientific experiments later this Tops in Blue performs ground forces. “Other schools recognize that academic year, and deliver the satellite’s flight model for a September 2006 launch. Tops in Blue, the Air we are giving our students a top-notch educa- aeronautical and astronautical engineering Force’s internationally ac- tion and appreciate our commitment to the programs as #2 in the nation every year since BEST PROGRAMS claimed touring entertain- professional development of cadets into 2001, behind only Embry Riddle Aeronautical ment group, performs leaders-officers of character.“ University. At engineering schools whose highest degree is a The U.S. News & World Report compiles “External validation such as the U.S. bachelor’s or master’s (*Public) primarily for cadets today at Peer assessment 6 p.m. Doors will open one its rankings using a weighted combination News & World Report rankings increases Rank School score (5.0=highest) hour prior to the shows. of factors. These start with peer assessment our reputation for excellence throughout the No tickets are needed by university deans and senior faculty being country and therefore helps us attract the 1. Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. (IN) 4.5 2. Harvey Mudd College (CA) 4.3 for this year’s shows. the most heavily-weighted factor (25 percent), best and brightest high school students our and continue through faculty resources (20 3. Cooper Union (NY) 4.0 For more information on nation has to offer,” said Col. Mike 4. Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo* 3.9 percent), graduation and retention rates (20 the local show call 333-2928. DeLorenzo, permanent professor and Director United States Military Academy (NY)* 3.9 For information on the percent), student selectivity (15 percent), of the Department of Astronautical United States Naval Academy (MD)* 3.9 program or how to join, visit financial resources (10 percent), alumni Engineering here. “It also bolsters our repu- 7. United States Air Force Acad. (CO)* 3.8 their official Web site at giving rate (5 percent) and graduation rate tation across the Air Force, helping us recruit 8. Bucknell University (PA) 3.6 www.airforcetopsinblue. performance (5 percent). highly professional military and civilians to 9. Kettering University (MI) 3.5 com. This formula has ranked the Academy’s See SUPERIORITY, Page 4 Swarthmore College (PA) 3.5 Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY August 19, 2005 Liberty and justice for all — in due time By Capt. Tracey Howell-LaPalme I was finally home. achieve a unified Iraq that reflects the will of the 407th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commander The United States was a country born out of Iraqi people. A country where human rights are repression that took patriots from our nation — valued and political differences are respected. ALI BASE, Iraq — “I pledge allegiance to the ordinary men and women — and asked them to give So let us not forget that the freedoms we enjoy flag of the United States of America, and to the of themselves completely and unselfishly to gain today were not gained in one day — just as the free- Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, our country’s liberty. doms of the Iraqi people will take many years to indivisible, with ...” Now, nine years later, I find myself serving achieve. On Sept. 16, 1996, I spoke those words along beside the men and women of Ali Base, in a country As Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafar told the with 3,000 other immigrants. As I cradled my 6- that has suffered for many years and is at the begin- United Nations, “The children of Iraq are just like week-old daughter in my left arm, I held up my right ning of an unfamiliar journey, a journey toward a yours — they don’t want to lose their fathers and hand to be sworn in as one of America’s newest citi- new and free Iraq. turn to orphans. The women of Iraq are just like zens. That day was a defining moment in my life. Like our nation’s forefathers, the men and yours — they don’t want to lose their husbands and I had left England six years before to come to women of Iraq struggle bravely for democracy. And turn to widows.” the United States, like millions of immigrants before just as America needed help during its No one said this struggle was going to be easy. me, in the hope of seeking independence and oppor- Revolutionary War from its “coalition partners,” so, We know from experience that it’s not. But one tunities that, because of my “class,” I could scarcely too, does Iraq. thing’s for sure, every single one of us here today, hope for in my native country. Iraqis need our help to bring stability to their through our love and devotion for our great nation, I had always felt the pull of military service country while they draft a constitution and rebuild is willing to sacrifice so that one day Iraq, like us, calling to me. But it wasn’t until I came to America their economy. The leaders of their fledgling will be free to enjoy ... that I knew this was where I belonged. government, under a daily threat of death, fight to “... liberty and justice for all.” What do you do when no one is watching? By Special Agent Jason Engholm “Do the right thing.” national counterpart decline alcohol sets us above other professions. In the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, No matter if it was during a witness refreshments because his commander — end, an honorable life is more rewarding Det. 246 interview, while conducting threat hundreds of miles away — issued an than an easy one. assessments in Latvia or performing order that prohibited his nation’s The last portion of this expectation SOUTHWEST ASIA — When background investigation checks in personnel from consuming alcohol is to have the yearning and commitment you think of the expectations you have Germany, he always said, “Do the right while in theater. to watch out for each other. Simple for your organization, superiors, peers thing.” I, along with many others who Even though others were able to things such as replenishing paper towels and subordinates, what comes to mind? heard that commander speak, have taken indulge, and there was little chance in the bathrooms and engaging each What core belief, beyond any other, that bit of professional and personal anyone would find out, my friend stuck other in conversations about life can are you adamant on to the last stand? advice to heart. I now feel that subtle, to his personal obligation to do the right accomplish this.