Energy Tip: Air Force Use Energy-Star prod- mourns loss of Snow/Wind Very Windy Very Windy 34 20 43 19 41 18 ucts ... they use less CMSAF Airey energy, save money Page 3 Vol. 49 No. 10 March 13, 2009 Promotions Congratulations to the following Academy members selected for promo- tion to the next higher grade. To lieutenant colonel Joseph Deichert George Youstra To major Matthew King Dylan Williams Paula Kelly Vincent Smits Amanda Gookins Nathan Kartchner Matthew Leblanc Brandon Lingle Meredith Ortiz Jason Ross Traci Sarmiento Evelyn Schumer Nathan Stackhouse Matthew Thomas Robert Young Anthony Sampson Micheal Nading Eric Haler Elaine Bryant Kirk Olson Photo by Dave Ahlschwede Steven Thomas Hard hitting Laura Terry Freshman Daniel Starr (blue) and junior Seth Gunn trade shots in the 139-pound weight class during the 2009 Daniel Visosky Wing Open Championships Sunday at Clune Arena. Starr became the first freshman to earn a 2009 Wing Open Alfred Ascol title. See Pages 12 and 13 for more coverage on the event. Carlos Assaf Adam Ressler Patrick Smiley Linda Thorstenson FalconLaunch 7 rocket test-fired Stuart Whitney Lindsay Contoveros Academy Public Affairs in a concrete test stand for in-house,” said Cadet 1st The rocket burned the test, which was conducted Class Brad DeWees, Falcon- through 100 pounds of solid Cadets and faculty con- in the Academy’s Jacks Valley Launch 7 project manager. fuel propellant in 4.5 seconds, ducted a successful static test training area. Secondary test objectives as planned. Significant fire of the Academy’s Falcon- “What we are testing included testing avionics amounts of data were gath- Launch 7 rocket today. today is the igniter, which is packages and refining launch ered and are being analyzed The rocket was secured brand new and we made it procedures. for implementation on this year’s FalconLaunch 7 rocket. Today’s rocket is the latest in a series of FalconLaunch rockets. The rockets are designed, built and tested by senior cadets as part of a year- Falcons advance long capstone course in astro- Air Force Academy surprises nautical engineering. Colorado State to garner first-ever “The big goal is to let MWC tourney victory. cadets learn space by doing Page 15 space,” said Cadet DeWees. The program, now in its seventh year, is a multi-disci- plinary team of cadets and INSIDE faculty whose mission is to Commentary 2 learn the engineering and News 3 Photo by David Ahlschwede design process through appli- Department of Astronautics faculty and Astro majors run through the checklists and Features 11 cation. Although the course set-up procedures for Tuesday’s static test fire of the FalconLaunch 7 rocket. Sports 14 is run by the Department of Community 16 Pictured, left to right are: Capt. Luke Sauter, Dept. of Astronautics; Maj. Sandra Wilson, Dept. of Astronautics; Cadet 1st Class Matt Robbins and Cadet 1st Class Adam Hillier, Astronautics and the majority Classifieds 18 both of the FalconLaunch-7 cadet cadre. See ROCKET, Page 6 2 March 13, 2009 Hard work,humble attitudes yield dividends To responsibly inform and educate the By Ken Carter these recent senior master sergeant you who you want to strive to be like Academy community and the public Editor selects goes something like this: and do it early. about the Air Force Academy Realize your career begins day one Challenge yourself daily. Don’t ever Lt. Gen. John Regni — Academy Superintendent If everyone made it to the top there at basic training and you are immedi- be afraid to take a risk or try something Lt. Col. Brett Ashworth — wouldn’t be one. ately accountable for your actions. outside your comfort zone. Director of Public Affairs Every Air Force unit needs entry-, Join enlisted groups/professional Always remember why you are here. Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch — mid- and upper-level enlisted, officers organizations. Our job is to do the mission and take Chief of Internal Information Ken Carter — Editor and civilian members to successfully Remember you are critical to the care of people [email protected] complete its mission. mission no matter what your career Always do the right thing, take care Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer However, if young enlisted field is and others count on you to of the mission/people and the Air Force [email protected] members are determined to one day perform to meet the mission. will take care of you. Ann Patton — Staff Writer [email protected] join what one might call the “3-percent Remember there is no “I” in “team.” Manage your career. Find out early Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer club;” (2 percent of the total enlisted You are an Airman in the Air Force what you need to be competitive and fill The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado force at the rank of senior master family and together, we achieve great those squares. Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no sergeant and 1 percent at chief respec- accomplishments, milestones and goals. Be accountable and hold others way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This tively) there’s no better way to climb the Take time to display your apprecia- accountable. civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized ladder of success then to follow the tion to those who have helped you reach Never settle for status quo, take publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the guidance of those who’ve ascended your achievements. ownership in a program and always official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, ahead of them. Believe in yourself and give thanks hand it off better then you received it. the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Recently, we polled seven Academy and reverence to the Good Lord for all Get out and volunteer in base and The appearance of advertising in this publication, master sergeants: Todd Farlee, James the gifts and blessings in your life community events. Don’t just partici- including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Hiatt, Jackie King, Pernell Parker, Paul Surround yourself with people who pate; lead the way. Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs Pohnert, Jeremy Rennahan and Marc are doing great things, and take notes. Listening is only the first step along Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication Schoellkopf soliciting their guidance to Take every opportunity to lead and this path to career success. Applying shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage today’s Academy Airmen who have (or constantly move for personal experience meaning to what you hear follows … without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- who want to develop) what it takes to, gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political and growth. then acting in a way that’s best suited for affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, one day, serve in the top enlisted spots Give 110 percent to the task at hand your personal success. Good luck future user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject in their future Air Force. Their counsel any advertisements. no matter how small or critical to the senior NCOs and practice what you’ve Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided had both overlapping and unique mission. read by thanking these current senior by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public themes. Overall, the guidance from Seek out those in positions above selects for taking the time to mentor. Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles to conform to Air Force policy and Associated Press style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos unless other- wise indicated. Airman’s Roll Call:Women’s History Month Submissions Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) — This He encouraged all Americans to Airman’s Roll Call is designed for Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. week’s Airman’s Roll Call focuses on observe this month with appropriate supervisors at all levels to help keep Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- Women’s History Month and the accom- programs, ceremonies and activities, Airmen informed on current issues, clear able basis is noon every Tuesday for that week’s pub- lication date. Paid classified advertising is accepted by plishments women have made in the Air and to remember throughout the year up confusion, dispel rumors and provide the publisher at 329-5236. The number to call for dis- Force. the many contributions of courageous additional face-to-face communication. play advertising is 634-5905. Deadline for all stories is noon Friday, one week Women’s History Month officially women who have made this nation To subscribe to an e-mail version of prior to the desired publication date. Refer questions started in March 2000 by order of former strong. the product, visit www.af.mil/subscribe. to the Academy Spirit editor at 333-8823. The Academy Spirit also accepts story submis- President Bill Clinton when he signed a For more information about Women’s Airman’s Roll Call is one of 30 featured sions by fax at 333-4094 or by e-mail: pa.newspaper@ presidentialCharacter proclamation highlighting DevelopmentHistory Month, read this week’s Airman’s Air Force products that can be received usafa.af.mil.