The House on Nov. 5 passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) recognizing the US Air Force Academy’s inaugural class that graduated 50 years ago. The measure, which also recognizes the academy’s continued excellence and the graduates’ outstanding service to the nation, passed by a vote of 411 to 0. On June 3, 1959, the 207 cadets of this first class graduated. Of them, 205 received Air Force commissions as second lieutenants. Among them were a future astronaut, farmers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and generals. These graduates “have served this country with distinction and honor,” said Lamborn, in whose district the academy lies, in a release. And they “created lasting traditions and set high standards for the 41,000 cadets who have followed in their steps,” he said. As of April, 157 of them were still living. (Full text of resolution) (For more on the first class, read First Class and The Class of 50 Years Ago from http://www.airforce-magazine.com/ archives)
As it develops new weapons to attack satellites, the U.S. Space Force is focused more on ground-based efforts where the technology is more mature, the service’s top general said April 3.