And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2:42
The U.S. Air Force Academy was established on this day in 1954. The concept existed prior to the Air Force becoming a separate service in 1947. The Stearns-Eisenhower Board concluded in 1948, after studying existing military academies, that an Air Force school was needed, recommending at least 40 percent of future officers be academy graduates. Congress passed a bill to establish the Air Force Academy, and the secretary of the Air Force designated a board to recommend a location. Colorado Springs was the first choice, and the state of Colorado granted $1 million towards the purchase of land. In July 1955, as construction began on the Academy, the first class of 306 men was sworn in at a temporary location, Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. Lt. General Hubert Harmon, a key figure in the early development plans for the Academy, was called from retirement by President Eisenhower to become the first Academy superintendent. The first class graduated in 1959. Women began to enter the Academy after President Ford signed legislation into effect in 1975.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For Lt. General Richard Clark as he currently serves as superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
- For the leaders and students in each U.S military academy to look to the Lord for strength and wisdom.
