Academy assistant professor killed in Afghanistan

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) --  An Air Force Academy assistant professor was killed in Kabul April 27.

Maj. Philip D. Ambard gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the U.S. Major Ambard arrived at the Air Force Academy's Department of Foreign Languages in December 2003.

"The U.S. Air Force Academy family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own, Major Phil Ambard, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends," said Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the superintendent of the Academy. "While we grieve this loss, we are committed to helping Major Ambard's family through this extremely difficult time. Phil's ultimate sacrifice is special in that he touched the lives of so many people -- cadets, Airmen, friends and family -- and he will have a lasting effect on all."

As a fluent speaker of both French and Spanish, Major Ambard served as an instructor in both languages and was consistently rated as one of the top faculty members at the Academy.

His superb performance in and out of the classroom led to his selection as the Department of Foreign Languages executive officer, Academy officials said. Major Ambard subsequently served in that same role for the dean of the faculty.

In 2006, Major Ambard earned the distinction of company grade officer of the year for the dean of faculty and the entire Academy. In 2007, he was sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages for a Ph.D. program at Denver University, which he completed in 2010. He was scheduled to return to the Department of Foreign Languages after a 365-day deployment to Kabul.

"Major Ambard embodied the ideals of integrity, service and excellence, and this legacy carries on with his family," said Brig. Gen. Dana Born, the dean of the faculty at the Academy. "He leaves a deep void at the Air Force Academy and will be missed by all of his family, friends, colleagues and the many cadets and officers whose lives he has touched."

(Courtesy of U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs)