AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLO. -- President Barack Obama was on hand Wednesday as 1,074 Cadets graduated into the Air Force.

The 2012 Air Force Academy graduating class was made up of 840 men and 234 women. The women represent the largest percentage of females to ever graduate from the Academy in a single year.

The average GPA of the graduates was a 2.97, 22 percent were minorities, including 14 international students.

"Every time I step onto Air Force One I rely on Air Force Academy graduates," Obama, the keynote speaker, said. "Never bet against the United States of America."

Obama's presence meant tightened security in and around the base, as well as in Colorado Springs. Air Force One landed at Peterson Air Force Base just after 8:30 a.m., and the President took the podium for his speech around 10:25 a.m.

"No other nation has sacrificed more in the lives of our sons and daughters," Obama said.

Obama said the future of the country is bright.

"Never falter, never fail, that is the essence of America," he said. "That is the America we love, always young and looking ahead."

After the President's speech, the Cadets presented him with a letterman jacket.

There are three sets of twins in the 2012 class, two fourth-generation graduates and four third-generation graduates.

The 1,074 Cadets are among the 1,348 who were processed into the Academy when they entered June 26, 2008.