September 2026 Checkpoints
In this issue:
- The 23rd superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Lt. Gen. Paul “Max” Moga ’95, assumes command.
- Celebrate a lifetime of service with Checkpoints’ Distinguished Graduate Award, Leadership Achievement Award and Young Alumni Excellence Award honoree profiles.
- A quarter century has passed since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Read about the grads who have fought in the Global War on Terrorism and how their time at USAFA prepared them.
- Learn about the Institute for Future Conflict’s new economic warfare fellow.
- Take a deep dive into the results from the Association & Foundation’s recent all-graduate survey.
- Check out photo essays of the Class of 2030 and significant ribbon cuttings from around the Academy.
- The Academy is honoring legendary coach Fisher DeBerry with a bronze statue at Falcon Stadium and endowment in his name.
- Association & Foundation CEO Mark Hille ’97 writes about the commitment to service before self that binds all USAFA grads.
- AOG board chair Cathy Almand ’90 reflects on the USAFA people and events who recently impacted her and reinforced her pride in the institution.
- Learn about those who designed USAFA’s interiors — and so much more!
Newsroom and stories
Hosmer Visitor Center and Hotel Polaris Historical and Financial Overview
With Hotel Polaris approaching the end of its second year of operation and the Hosmer Visitor Center having opened to the public in May 2026, the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation has prepared a historical and financial overview of the project. The document provides context on why the Association of Graduates (AOG) and Air Force Academy Foundation supported the development and the project.
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Class of 1976 dedicates ‘living testament to our core values’
Nearly 1,000 people filled the Doolittle Campus and later its Heritage Trail Oct. 2 as the Class of 1976 dedicated its 50th reunion class gift and presented it to the Air Force Academy.
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Long Blue Leadership: Dr. Vik Bebarta ’94
Curiosity. Vulnerability. Humility. Confidence. For Dr. Vik Bebarta ’94, those qualities aren’t competing leadership styles, they’re complementary. He has tested that philosophy everywhere, including leading teams through moments when decisions had immediate consequences. His advice for the next generation? Stay curious. Take chances. Take care of your people.
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Heritage Minute: Fairchild Hall
Fairchild Hall connects the U.S. Air Force Academy’s history with the future of learning and conflict. The massive six-story building houses more than 250 classrooms, roughly four dozen laboratories and 13 lecture halls, along with faculty offices, academic departments and the commandant of cadets. It’s also home to newer capabilities such as the Multi-Domain Laboratory and Institute for Future Conflict. The building was dedicated May 31, 1959, in honor of Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, whose work helped lay the foundation for the Academy’s educational philosophy and academic program.
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October 2026 Gradcast: Connect with the Long Blue Line
The October Air Force GradCast covers a lot of ground. In this month’s episode: USAFA earns recognition among the nation’s top public schools, Coach Fisher DeBerry returns home as the Academy honors its winningest football coach with a statue outside Falcon Stadium, Cadets take on the 350-mile Memorial to Memorial Ride alongside senior military leaders and wounded warriors, turning four days on a bicycle into an extraordinary leadership experience, NextGen continues connecting graduates through career conversations, webinars and networking events and so much more!
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Long Blue Leadership: Scott Kirby ’89
Scott Kirby ’89 grew one of the world’s largest airlines by doing something many leaders struggle with: changing his mind. From anticipating the impact of COVID before most experts to making bold bets when others pulled back, Kirby shares why adaptability, curiosity and a willingness to challenge assumptions are essential leadership traits.
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U.S. Air Force Academy Ranked Among Nation's Best in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
The U.S. Air Force Academy has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top undergraduate colleges, earning 11 spots on the latest U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings, released online today.
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Heritage Minute Podcast: At the Speed of Information
The process of sharing information has quickly evolved, and Air Force Public Affairs has not been immune to change. Fax machines and weekly base newspapers have been replaced with 24-hour news cycles and the digital age. Col. (Ret.) Johnny Whitaker ’73 witnessed the evolution of Air Force communications firsthand. Hear his stories, lessons and leadership insights on the latest Heritage Minute Podcast.
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Long Blue Leadership Now: A New Space Age
Long Blue Leadership Now welcomes NASA Deputy Administrator Col. (Ret.) Matt Anderson ’97, who shares the vision behind the proposed United States Space Academy and its potential role in preparing astronauts, engineers, scientists, operators and innovators for the challenges ahead. From the moon to Mars and beyond, Deputy Administrator Anderson shares how America can build the talent pipeline needed to lead in space for decades to come.
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Coach Fisher DeBerry statue unveiled at Falcon Stadium
During a special statue dedication at Falcon Stadium Sept. 11, a crowd of nearly 500 people, including U.S. Air Force Academy leaders, former players and fans, celebrated Fisher DeBerry's extraordinary impact on Air Force football and the countless cadet-athletes he coached and mentored throughout his storied career.
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Checkpoints: High Stakes
What does “failure isn’t an option” really mean? For Scott Kirby ’89, it means embracing calculated risk. For John Raduenz ’94, it means never losing sight of the people you support. For Christine Nicklas ’87, it means rigorous preparation because lives depend on it. Three U.S. Air Force Academy graduates. Three careers. Three perspectives shaped by service, leadership and accountability.
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Checkpoints: Still On Watch
U.S. Air Force Academy graduates who served on the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism reflect on the day that changed everything, the lessons learned, the sacrifices made and the challenges that remain.
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