After two alleged assaults in December and January on Air Force Academy grounds, the school Air Force Academyhas ordered cadets, other personnel and guests not to go on most trails and unimproved areas by themselves.after two recent alleged assaults on academy grounds
In a Jan. 26 release, the academy said that one assault took place in December and another in January. Those alleged assaults are still being investigated, said the academy, which is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The new safety policy is temporary, the academy said. Anyone running, walking, hiking or biking on trails and unimproved areas must use a "buddy system," the release said.
The only trail that is not subject to the "buddy system" rule is the Santa Fe Trail, which remains open to all users. That trail starts in Palmer Lake, Colorado, and passes through academy grounds before connecting with the Pikes Peak Greenway trail.
"The academy is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of Team USAFA personnel and guests who visit the Air Force's only open installation," the release said.
The academy is also increasing foot and vehicle patrols, the release said.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
