United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

New Frontiers for Air Combat

— Air Warrior Combat Memorial —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 3, 2023

1. New Frontiers for Air Combat Marker

Inscription. As terrorist organizations and new threats evolved after 9/11, US Air Force operations broadened significantly from the initial campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, eventually including continuous campaigns against high-value targets and support to coalition ground operations in Libya, Syria and other conflict-torn areas. Despite the demands of high operational tempo over decades, the Air Force continued to explore new technologies-many of which were envisioned but out of practical reach by Gen Hap Arnold, Theodore von Karman, Gen Bernard Schriever and others-which have again altered the nature of air warfare and Air Warriors. A hallmark of counter-terror conflict and highly visible advance in military technology were the Air Force's remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)-reconnaissance and strike platforms without a traditional cockpit, commonly referred to as "drones." Employing highly trained RPA pilots and sensor operators, they have changed warfare to allow the U.S. and its allies to identify, analyze, and, if necessary, attack high-valued targets. RPAS redefined the Global War on Terrorism's reach, as persistent

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surveillance from these long-endurance aircraft allow for more opportunities to “find, fix, and finish" enemy threats.
Far less visible than RPAS, Air Force space and communication capabilities became critical to national security during the Cold War. Their value as an essential part of air combat increased dramatically with the introduction of space-based position, navigation and timing-dependent systems like GPS-guided weapons, and continued with the rapid evolution of the still-new "cyber" domain. This domain vastly expanded Air Force command and control capabilities, and the Air Force's newest air combat aircraft, from the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, to the B-21 Raider. All are tightly integrated into cyber information networks that vastly increase each platform's individual and collective combat power.

Modern Air Warriors in today's and future platforms will continue to depend-as Air Warriors always have-on knowledge, discipline, courage, and love of country. Yet, no matter how different each era's technology may make combat appear, Air Warriors of yesterday and tomorrow will always share the unbreakable

Air Warrior Combat Memorial sign with marker on far right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 3, 2023

2. Air Warrior Combat Memorial sign with marker on far right.

bond of service together and an indomitable will to win.

Erected by USAFA Class of 1971.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 39° 1.26′ N, 104° 50.949′ W. Marker is in United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in El Paso County. It can be reached from the intersection of Stadium Boulevard and North Gate Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: USAF Academy CO 80840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Global War on Terrorism (here, next to this marker); War in the Balkans (here, next to this marker); The Persian Gulf War (a few steps from this marker); The Vietnam War

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Vietnam War (a few steps from this marker); The Cold War Begins (a few steps from this marker); World War II (a few steps from this marker); The Korean War (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in United States Air Force Academy.

More about this marker. Must have a valid ID to enter the USAF Academy grounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.