Aeronautics and astronautics programs at the US Air Force Academy, Colo., were ranked best in the nation Tuesday in the US News & World Report Best Colleges 2017. As a whole, the Academy was ranked as the third best national liberal arts college and seventh best undergraduate engineering program, according to a press release. US News and World Report generates the rankings using a formula that considers, among other factors, assessment from peer institutions, graduation rate, faculty resources, retention, and alumni giving. Other Academy programs that were ranked include electrical/electronic/communications (fourth), mechanical engineering (seventh), and business (48th).
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.