“Today you join the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen” Nearly 1,000 graduate from Air Force Academy

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – The graduates entered the academy at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Those we spoke with today say that presented an extra challenge.

They’re proud to have made it through and are now looking toward the future.

“I hope to serve my country the best way I can. I hope to lift everyone up around me and do the very best that I can,” graduate Christian Pittman said.

The Air and Space Forces are welcoming 974 new service men and women to their ranks. The now-officers mark the 65th graduating class from the Academy.

“Today you join the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen,” Vice President Kamala Harris said during her commencement speech.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the commencement today saying just how important the graduates’ mission is. She mentioned the recent attack on Israel by Iran.

“More than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles were fired at Israel and thanks to our airmen and guardians, 99% of those threats did not hit their target,”

After graduation, the vice president visited Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base. 92 of Thursday’s graduates from the Air Force Academy are on their way to work in the Space Force.

Jabari Bowen one of the graduates is on his way to be an electrical engineer for the Air Force.

“Over the moon, it’s like four long years of this, 40-something-month training program, now, we made it to the end, super glad for the things ahead,” Bowen said.

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