The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co. held an unusual graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 18. With the spread of the coronavirus a major concern, the Air Force moved up the ceremony six weeks, the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. Vice President Mike Pence gave the commencement address, as cadets were spaced 8 feet apart on the parade field, and many wore protective face masks.
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Spaced eight feet apart, United States Air Force Academy cadets celebrate their graduation as a team of F-16 Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After senior cadets spent more than a month on lockdown in the Air Force Academy's dorms due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An Air Force Academy cadet stands at attention during her graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, listen to a commencement address during their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, salute as the national anthem plays at the start of their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Vice President Mike Pence delivers a commencement address at the Air Force Academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Spaced eight feet apart, United States Air Force Academy cadets celebrate their graduation as a team of F-16 Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After senior cadets spent more than a month on lockdown in the Air Force Academy's dorms due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets salute during the national anthem as the class of 2020 graduates six weeks early due to the coronavirus pandemic on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, march into their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Graduating Air Force Academy cadets cheer for their parents, who were not allowed to attend the ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic, on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An international Air Force Academy cadet holds up her country's flag during a graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets who will be commissioning into the US Space Force take an oath during their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets help each other put on masks after their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An Air Force Academy cadet adorns a mask after a graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets celebrate as they graduate from the academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Chairs spaced eight feet apart sit empty before the graduation ceremony at the Air Force Academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After senior cadets spent more than a month on lockdown in the Air Force Academy's dorms due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, march past a drone into their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, march into their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, march into their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets, spaced eight feet apart, salute as the national anthem plays at the start of their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An Air Force Academy cadet bows his head in prayer as the class of 2020 graduates six weeks early due to the coronavirus pandemic on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Vice President Mike Pence walks to the podium to deliver a commencement address at the Air Force Academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Vice President Mike Pence delivers a commencement address at the Air Force Academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets who will be commissioning into the US Space Force cheer after taking an oath during their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: International Air Force Academy cadet Mohamed Ferchiou, from Tunesia, waves his flag during a graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets take an oath during their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An Air Force Academy cadet celebrates after graduating from the academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: An Air Force Academy cadet adorns a mask after a graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets celebrate after their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Academy cadets help each other update their uniforms with their new ranks after their graduation ceremony on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Air Force Two sits on the tarmac at Peterson Air Force Base after Vice President Mike Pence delivered an address at the Air Force Academy graduation on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Vice President Pence Speaks At Air Force Academy Graduation In Colorado
ShareCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO - APRIL 18: Spaced eight feet apart, United States Air Force Academy cadets celebrate their graduation as a team of F-16 Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the academy on April 18, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After senior cadets spent more than a month on lockdown in the Air Force Academy's dorms due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday's graduation, which was moved up by six weeks, marks the first time a military academy is graduating a class early since WWII. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
