Add Category
Loading
“Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service,” Biden told more than 900 cadets in remarks on the sun-splashed field at Falcon Stadium in Colorado.
“Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yeah leadership.”
The president talked about how the US had rallied Western nations to stand behind Ukraine against Russia and efforts to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
He also expressed confidence that Sweden would become a NATO member.
Sweden and Finland, both historically unaligned militarily, sought NATO membership after being rattled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But Turkey, a NATO member, blocked both countries from joining the military alliance before agreeing to membership for Finland while continuing to object to Sweden.
Graduates toss their hats at the conclusion of the 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Credit: AP
However, on Thursday, Biden said Sweden’s NATO membership “will happen. I promise you”.
The academy graduates will become second lieutenants in either the Air Force or Space Force. Biden said they made up the most diverse graduating class in the academy’s history and he called on them to “root out the scourge of sexual assault and harassment in the military”.
Biden also said they would need the qualities of resilience, creativity, endurance and commitment that they learnt during four years of training at the academy – learning that was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic – to deal with a range of global challenges. He said the challenges ranged from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and America’s rivalry with China “to a whole hell of a lot in between”.
He also cited the threat of climate change and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
“Never forget the sacred oath you swear, and the mission you serve is something far, far greater than any person or president,” Biden said. “It’s our Constitution, it’s our country and it’s our enduring American values.”
Later, the Senate gave final approval to a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, grinding into the night to wrap up work on the bipartisan deal and avert a default before a Monday deadline.
The ceremony was capped by an aerial salute to the graduates by the world-renowned US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, flying over Falcon Stadium. Biden met with some of the pilots earlier after arriving at Peterson Space Force Base.
Reuters, AP