During its Feb. 18-19 meetings, the Association of Graduates board of directors toured the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel. The chapel has been undergoing a restoration since 2019. 

The U.S. Air Force, as shared with the AOG board members during the tour, is accelerating the project, working closely with its primary contractor, JE Dunn Construction, to reopen the national historic landmark to cadets, families and visitors as quickly as possible.

The push follows two setbacks in 2020 that extended timelines and increased costs: a larger-than-expected amount of asbestos abatement and structural deficiencies concealed by the chapel’s exterior.

“This project is far more than a restoration — it’s a transformation,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Sherman ’95, commander of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center and former USAFA vice superintendent. “As we address long‑standing issues, we’re committed to making permanent fixes, not temporary ‘bandages.’ The chapel’s significance in Air Force and the Academy’s history and culture means every solution must balance modern performance with respect for its legacy, adding a layer of complexity that makes this work both challenging and deeply meaningful. At the same time, we are committed to working hand in hand with JE Dunn to ensure the work is done correctly and completed as quickly as possible so we can return the chapel to the cadets and the American people.”

The restoration project includes replacing aluminum siding, installing a new water-resistive barrier and restoring two organs, pews and 24,000 pieces of original stained glass.

In 2019, contractors enclosed the chapel within a pre-engineered structure that protects it from the elements and allows year-round work. Inside, crews are repairing decades of water damage, remediating environmental hazards, upgrading systems to current codes and correcting design flaws to restore the 52,000-square-foot chapel.

“When the project is complete, the renovated Cadet Chapel will stand as both a testament to [architect] Walter Netsch’s original vision and to the Air Force’s commitment to preserving its heritage,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick Miller, AFCEC commander. “For cadets, families and visitors, the chapel will continue to embody the Academy’s ingenuity, dedication to spiritual fitness, resilience and the enduring values of service for generations to come.”

Following completion of the initial water-resistive system, contractors began water testing the week of Dec. 15, 2025, to ensure the structure is watertight. Testing resumed in January. As reported in the Feb. 5 USAFA Board of Visitors meeting, the water testing on the chapel has been successful thus far and cadets have begun voluntarily touring the chapel during the weekends.