United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded on April 1, 1954. On July 11, 1955, the first class of 306 cadets was sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base[?], Denver. Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon, a key figure in the development of the Academy, was appointed the first superintendent. On August 29, 1958, a wing of 1145 cadets moved to the present site. Less than a year later the Academy received accreditation. On March 3, 1964, the authorized strength of the Cadet Wing was increased to 4417 and later reduced to its present number of 4000.

President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation October 7, 1975, permitting women to enter the military academies. Women entered the Air Force Academy for the first time on June 28, 1976. The first class with women graduated in May 1980.

The Air Force Academy competes in the NCAA's Division I-A and in the Mountain West Conference. The sports teams are called the Falcons.