Only Mother Nature can steal thunder from cadets' day in sun

Officials at the Air Force Academy are checking the forecast every chance they get.

The academy has had a perfect record since 1959 for its outdoor graduation ceremony.

But someday, Mother Nature will frown on the cadets, and a decades-old emergency plan will finally pay off.

With a week of rain preceding the school's graduation ceremony and a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in today's forecast, the backup plan to pull the event indoors from Falcon Stadium has seldom been more needed.

But leaders dread having to put the plan in action.

"One of the main reasons not to move it indoors is our graduates will have only four tickets for their families," said Sue Christensen, who has helped the academy plan its graduations since 1991.

Most cadets, she said, invite dozens of family members and friends to the ceremony, which, this year, will feature a speech from Vice President Joe Biden and the traditional flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

"If they move it indoors, they have to decide which four of their family members get to attend," she said.

Plans have been under way for today's 10 a.m. ceremony since graduates tossed their hats as the 2008 commencement ended.

Christensen knows you can't plan the weather. Luckily, the cadets and their families are from sturdy stock.

"Typically, rain will not weather out our ceremony," she said. "We'll be out in the rain. We'll be out in the snow."

What they worry about is a big storm - right overhead.

"Actual life-threatening weather," Christensen said.

That would drive the ceremony from Falcon Stadium to Clune Arena.

It would also mean a change of speakers - Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley has a backup speech ready to deliver if he has to take Biden's place for the indoor ceremony, which would occur a bit later in the day.

Christensen is betting that speech won't have to be used.

And while clouds may alter the Thunderbirds' flight pattern - also planned around weather conditions - she thinks more than 1,000 cadets will cross the outdoor stage today.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY GRADUATION DETAILS

More than 1,000 cadets will graduate from the Air Force Academy in a 10 a.m. ceremony today at Falcon Stadium that includes a speech from Vice President Joe Biden and a flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team.

No public tickets remain.

IF YOU GO

People need to be at the stadium's gates by 9 a.m. Drivers should be prepared for traffic and parking tie-ups. Leave home early. Security will be airportlike, and items including bags and beverage containers are banned. Stadium spectators should be prepared for a long day, packing everything from sunscreen to a raincoat to deal with the unpredictable weather. Umbrellas will be allowed. Spectators aren't allowed to leave the stadium until after the Thunderbirds' flyover ends about 1 p.m.

IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE THE THUNDERBIRDS

One good vantage point is the scenic overlook off southbound Interstate 25 near the academy's airfield. Much of the city's northwest side will provide a good view. The show begins after every cadet has gotten a diploma, usually about 12:30 p.m.

IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THE WHOLE THING

With a vice-presidential motorcade, thousands of spectators and an air show, the graduation will likely intermittently snarl I-25 traffic from just north of downtown to the county line. If you're in the vicinity, plan on getting stuck. If you want to avoid it, stay south.