At 11:55 a.m., a hat toss and Air Force Thunderbirds flyover closed the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2026 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium.
The air show was scheduled for 11:25-11:55 a.m. after the commencement, which featured Vice President JD Vance and commissioned more than 900 cadets into the Air Force and Space Force.
Rain, low clouds and fog were reported early Thursday, but the performance went ahead after last year’s Thunderbirds show was canceled by overcast skies and low visibility.
Earlier in the morning, USAFA named Vance an honorary member of the Class of 2026, while dozens of veterans protested near the South Gate over the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
How will the war with Iran immediately impact the careers of 900 newly commissioned Air Force and Space Force officers?
What is driving record recruitment for the Air and Space Forces while the nation is actively at war with Iran?