GRADUATION DAY AT THE US AIR FORCE ACADEMY

We have been watching the Colorado Springs news most evenings after work. Features about the graduation festivities at the US Air Force Academy have been shown for the last several days. Unfortunately, we were unable to get tickets to witness the the pageantry in person. So we decided to go to Colorado Springs to watch the show put on by the Thunderbirds, the US Air Force precision flying squadron, at the end of their graduation ceremony. We were on a hill just on the east side of I-25, about 4 or 5 miles from the campus, with hundreds of other spectators. The atmosphere was electric, similar to tailgating before a college football game. Some observers even had grills.

Here is a view of the main campus at the USAFA. The AF Chapel is the tall building on the right.

Falcon Stadium at a distance.

The air show was supposed to begin immediately after the cadets tossed their hats into the air after being dismissed at the end of the graduation ceremony. The six Thunderbird F-16's began their show as they flew over Falcon Stadium as the hats were tossed in the air as verified by the local news later that evening. As soon as the Thunderbirds passed overhead we heard the roar of the jet engines echoing through the mountains.

After all six planes flew over the stadium, two jets broke off the formation until the conclusion of the show about 30 minutes later. The formation of four jets with snow capped mountains in the background. What a majestic sight!

Each time the jets flew over the festivities, the formation was different.

Time to turn back.

Coming by upside down.

Four jets bunched in tight.

A postcard view of four F-16's.

A quick assent by a solo pilot.

All 6 fighters back together again.

The finale was the famed Delta Formation.

Many thanks to daughter Wendy for insisting that we needed a telephoto lens on our camera.  We could not have captured these photos without that wonderful accessory.

What a thrilling end to a wonderful day. We are so thankful to live in a country where we can enjoy the many freedoms we have thanks to the men and women in our armed forces. Congratulations to the AFA Class of 2015!