Vice President Kamala Harris delivers commencement address at Air Force Academy graduation in Colorado

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the commencement address to the 2024 graduates from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday.

"There is no more noble work than one can do than to serve our nation in uniform," Harris told cadets in her first commencement speech at the academy. "Today you join the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen."

The graduation ceremony started in the morning and lasted several hours. Harris pointed out during her 14 minute speech that the graduates started their pursuit of higher education during a time of lockdowns during the height of the COVID pandemic, and persevered through it. They now will become second lieutenants in the Air Force or Space Force.

"Our nation is counting on you to preserve and defend that strength, including, I will add, through your ability to innovate," she said.

Harris highlighted the graduates' technological literacy, having grown up with computers and the internet, and encouraged them to take up the torch of innovation, including around AI, as warfare evolves.

Harris also praised the current roles the Air Force is are playing across the world, including U.S. air patrols deterring Russian on NATO's eastern flank, the rivalry with China in the Indo-Pacific, weapons shipments to Ukraine and defending Israel from attacks by Iran.

"America's national security and global security depend on our strength in the sky and in space," said Harris. "America's security relies on you, I know you will make your country proud."

Harris reminded graduates that the oath they take is to the Constitution, not to a person or political party. "Even in a world of continuous change, this oath, well it remains constant," said Harris.  

The ceremony is held at Falcon Stadium every year and features a flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. This year's flyover didn't disappoint. Cadets threw their white caps in the air as the planes flew in formation above the stadium.

Harris was set to meet with officials at Peterson Space Force Base following the graduation ceremony. She flies out of Colorado late in the day.

This was Harris's second visit to Colorado this year. In March she spoke about the economy at a campaign event in the Denver metro area as part of a five-state swing.

President Joe Biden gave the address at the Air Force Academy last year.