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Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

A look at UM's Air Force ROTC cadets, the “Hurricane Aces,” as they hone the skills that fuel service, resilience, and leadership.

By University of Miami

March 16^th, 2026

Before sunrise, while most of the University of Miami campus is still quiet, a small group of students is already at work—marching, training, and preparing for lives of service.

Air Force ROTC Detachment 155 operates largely out of view, woven into the daily rhythm of university life but guided by a mission that reaches far beyond Coral Gables. These cadets juggle coursework, physical training, and leadership development with the same precision expected of future Air Force officers.

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Before the sky lightens and the campus stirs, footsteps cut through the dark.

Under the glow of early morning lights, Air Force ROTC Detachment 155 moves with purpose—sharp commands, measured breaths, uniforms pressed against the quiet of a sleeping University of Miami. These moments are unseen by most, but they shape everything that follows. Here, leadership is forged long before lectures begin, through discipline, trust, and an unspoken understanding that service comes first.

Men in military-style uniforms do push-ups on a sandy beach under a cloudy sky. The men appear determined and focused.

To celebrate the Air Forces's 78th birthday, the cadets get treated to a special extra intense workout on Key Biscayne before sunrise and in the rain on a wet an muggy September morning. Cadets do physical training two days a week starting before sunrise.

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Air Force trainees carry each other piggyback-style on a sandy beach at dusk. Palm trees are visible in the background.

Men crawl on a beach during an exercise. The men wear dark shorts and t-shirts. The sand is light-colored, and the ocean is visible in the background. The photo is taken with motion blur.

A group of people do push-ups on a sandy beach lined with palm trees. They wear matching t-shirts and shorts. Overcast sky.

A group of cadets in matching olive t-shirts and black shorts perform squat exercises on a sandy beach. Palm trees line the background under an overcast sky.

A group of cadets exercises on a beach with palm trees. They are wearing dark t-shirts and shorts, doing crab walks in the sand.

A group of military recruits does push-ups on a sandy beach. A leader in a black shirt demonstrates the exercise in front of them. Palm trees and a food truck are in the background.

“Every rep is easier when you’re not doing it alone!”

Daniel Alwin, first-year student studying Mechanical Engineering.

Six young people stand on a beach, wet and looking forward with expressions of apprehension. They wear matching olive drab t-shirts and black shorts. The sky is overcast, and the water is calm.

A group of cadets stands in water, forming diamond shapes with their hands. A bridge and city skyline are visible in the background, on a cloudy day.

CLASSROOM TIME

College students sit at desks in a classroom, some using laptops, and one takes notes. A woman in an Air Force uniform sits among them. Bright daylight streams through the windows.

Soldier in camouflage uniform walks toward a seated young man, extending a hand. The young man sits on a red bench outside a white building, also reaching out. Palm trees visible in background.

Classroom scene: Students work at computers. A student in military fatigues types on a laptop with a green keyboard. Another student beside them looks on, wearing a

A woman in military fatigues sits on a bench, working on a laptop in a school hallway. Students walk past her towards an opening with tropical foliage visible outside.

“When instructing cadets, I challenge them to lead with purpose, never stop learning, and relentlessly pursue excellence.”

Aerospace Studies Classes

A woman in a military uniform gestures while speaking to a class of students. The students sit at desks with laptops in a classroom with wood-paneled walls.

A young man in camouflage uniform sits in a classroom, hands clasped, looking up. Other students wearing dark blue shirts are seated in rows behind him. The man's uniform has an Air Force ROTC patch.

A group of students sit in a tiered classroom, listening attentively. One student wears an Air Force uniform, with a laptop open on the desk in front of them. Others wear matching blue polo shirts.

Air Force ROTC cadets sit in a tiered lecture hall, some with laptops open, two raising their hands. A screen displays a targeting graphic.

A classroom shows students in uniform and civilian clothes. The students are standing and listening to a man in glasses, a navy shirt, and khaki pants who is gesturing with his hands.

Two uniformed Air Force officers stand talking in a classroom with large windows. Tables and chairs are neatly arranged. Bright daylight streams in.

An Air Force instructor in camouflage uniform presents a slide titled

Bi-Weekly Physcal Training

Working towards making the cadets srong in mind and body while having a warrior ethos.

Cadets run on a track in the rain at night, illuminated by stadium lights. They wear athletic shorts and t-shirts, some olive green and some gray. Bleachers are visible in the background.

“Our physical training isn’t just about working out, it’s about working as a team and developing that camaraderie.”

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Downtime at the Detachment

Cadets hang out in between classes at UM's Air Force facility.

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Obstacle Training Course

A student hangs upside down from a rope on an outdoor obstacle course. An instructor points, giving guidance. Other students in red shirts and black pants look on.

Two hands grip a thick rope against a clear blue sky. One arm has a beaded bracelet, the other a black sports watch and small heart tattoo.

Woman crawls on her stomach through a sand pit under a wire obstacle. She wears a yellow shirt and black pants. The obstacle course is outdoors.

A group of people low-crawl under barbed wire on a sandy obstacle course. The person in the foreground wears a bright green t-shirt, black pants, and red and white gloves. The sand is kicked up around them.

ROTC cadets run during a training exercise. Cadets in red

A group of students participates in an outdoor exercise. A student in a red shirt throws a red ball to a student in a green shirt who reaches out to catch it. Several students in blue shirts watch. The exercise is on a green field with yellow balls and orange cones.

A group of cadets jump over wooden barriers on an obstacle course. The cadet in front is blonde, wearing a red shirt, black pants, and white shoes. Other cadets in red shirts wait their turn. Soldiers in uniform watch.

A cadet hangs from monkey bars during an outdoor training exercise. The cadet wears a red t-shirt and black pants, with other cadets and an officer nearby. The setting is a sunny outdoor obstacle course.

A man in a red shirt climbs over a log obstacle during an outdoor training exercise. Other men stand nearby, watching. A chain-link fence and stadium seating are in the background.

A woman in a yellow shirt hangs upside down from a rope during an outdoor military training exercise. Several uniformed soldiers observe.

Two ROTC cadets climb a wooden obstacle course as their team cheers them on from below. The cadet on the left wears military fatigues, while the cadet on the right wears a red t-shirt and black leggings. The team below wears matching red shirts that read

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

“We always want the best and the brightest to come to the University of Miami and be part of the unit”

Air Force ROTC Recruiting Officer Major Ricardo Cisneros

Close-up of a military officer wearing aviator sunglasses and a camouflage cap with a maple leaf emblem. The sunglasses reflect a group of people in yellow shirts.

A group of Air Force cadets and leaders pose on an obstacle course. The cadets wear matching yellow shirts and black pants, while two leaders wear military uniforms. Two cadets climb ropes in the background.

“A great cadet is someone who’s just really willing to buy into the program. You’re going to get out of the program what you put into it.”

Air Force cadet stands at attention in camouflage uniform, leading a group of cadets in green shirts and black pants on a grassy field. A cadet holds a flag.

Air Force cadet stands at attention. She wears camouflage uniform, name tag

Drill and Cermonies

Cadets practice their leadership and marching skills on the Foote Green

A group of cadets stand in formation on a grassy field, facing left. Two uniformed officers are present. Sunlight dapples the scene, creating shadows across the grass. A banner is visible in the background.

A line of students participates in a trust exercise on a grassy lawn. Each person has their eyes covered and a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them. Palm trees and a building are in the background.

Air Force cadets stand on a grassy field, preparing for flight. One cadet reads from a paper, while others stand at attention in light blue uniforms and dark blue hats. Palm trees line the background.

A group of ROTC cadets march on a grassy field. Some wear military camouflage uniforms, others wear navy blue ROTC shirts and khaki pants.

Cadets stand on a lawn in front of a modern building lined with palm trees. The cadets wear dark pants and light blue shirts. A blue sky with clouds is visible.

Preparing to Fly, Ready to Lead

Footnotes

Photography, production, and design by Joshua Prezant. Video by Franco LaTona.

FootNotes

Photography, production, and design by Joshua Prezant. Video by Franco LaTona.

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