The United States Air Force Academy, the military academy of the United States Air Force, is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded on April 1, 1954. On July 11, 1955, the first class of 306 cadets was sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver. Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon, a key figure in the development of the Academy, was appointed the first superintendent. On August 29, 1958, a wing of 1145 cadets moved to the present site. Less than a year later the Academy received accreditation. On March 3, 1964, the authorized strength of the Cadet Wing was increased to 4417 and later reduced to its present number of 4000.
President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation October 7, 1975, permitting women to enter the military academies. Women entered the Air Force Academy for the first time on June 28, 1976. The first class with women graduated in May 1980. 12% of the women who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003 reported that they were victims of rape or attempted rape while at the Academy [1]. It is estimated that about 20% of all women students were victims. Sexual predation was mainly directed toward freshmen and sophomores. Women who complained were generally pushed or counciled out of the academy. This situation has been generally known among the leadership of the United States Air Force but little has been done over the years to correct the situation or to disciple officers in leadership positions at the Academy [1].
The Air Force Academy competes in the NCAA's Division I-A. Its primary conference is the Mountain West Conference; its gymnastics (men and women) and men's soccer teams compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and its hockey team competes in College Hockey America. The sports teams are called the Falcons.
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