December 2025 Checkpoints
In this issue:
- The Checkpoints team sat down for a Q&A with Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, United States Space Force, at his office in the Pentagon.
- Matthew Lohmeier ’06, the 29th undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force, shares his priorities in his new role and talks about his time as a USAFA cadet.
- A handful of graduates discuss their Wall Street experiences in taking companies public.
- Checkpoints recognizes 50 years of women at U.S. service academies.
- An update on the Institute for Future Conflict.
- The Madera Cyber Innovation Center is operational. How is it impacting cyber-minded cadets?
- The Association of Graduates celebrates its newest honorary member, USAFA architect Duane Boyle.
- Check out photo essays from this year’s reunions, as well as fall sports — and much more!
- And be sure to check out columns from Mark Hille ’97, Association & Foundation CEO, as well as Cathy Almand ’90, AOG board chair.
Newsroom and stories
January 2026 Gradcast: Connecting the USAFA Community
Learn about cadets advancing space mission capabilities, hear alumni leadership and chapter updates and gain insight into career resources designed for every stage of your journey.
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The New Air Force Gradcast: Connecting the USAFA community
We congratulate the most recent U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive a Silver Star, highlight outstanding cadet athletes and scholars, discuss Association of Graduates giving societies, and so much more!
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Welcome to the New and Enhanced Air Force Gradcast!
The new and improved Air Force Gradcast is here! Hosts Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, Col. (Ret.) Michael “Baja” Cornelius '00 and Vince Greco P’17 debut features like Chapter Check-ins and the new Sabre Society Spotlight, keeping U.S. Air Force Academy grads connected and informed.
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Air Force Gradcast: Beyond the sidelines — a special presentation featuring Coach Troy Calhoun ’89
Falcon football Head Coach Troy Calhoun ’89 joins Air Force Gradcast host Vince Greco P’17 and discusses Calhoun’s days as a freshman letterman to leading cadets on and off the field.
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Air Force Gradcast: Cadets of Summer, Reunions and Tailgates, Grads in the News and More
What do the White House, Amazon, Boeing, Cornell University and Tesla have in common? Find out in the September edition of Air Force Gradcast.
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Air Force Gradcast: USAFA Mission Brief and Grad Q&A with Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind '91
In this special edition of Air Force Gradcast, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91, USAFA’s 22nd superintendent, shares an inside look into cadet development and answers graduate questions.
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Air Force Gradcast: August 2025
What do a Truman Scholar, three NFL players, and a peanut butter–banana–mayo sandwich have in common? They all made the cut in this edition of Air Force Gradcast! Hosts Vince Greco P’17 and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 talk Acceptance Day, Long Blue Line weekend, legendary Coach Fisher DeBerry and so much more.
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Air Force Gradcast: July 2025
The Class of 2029 arrives and brings a record-breaking crowd; the Academy releases new security info for non-military ID holders; USAFA athletes are exhibiting excellence on a national level; and we share an informational, motivational and emotional conversation with Rick Wright ’74, AOG North Texas chapter president.
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Air Force Gradcast: Distinguished Service Award Recipients
In this special edition, we spotlight the most recent recipients of the Air Force Academy’s Distinguished Service Award.
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Air Force Gradcast: June 2025
Hear about the Class of 2025 graduation, Athletics Hall of Fame nominees, a big fundraising win, and the Class of 1976 50th reunion project.
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Air Force Gradcast: May 2025
Hear about Distinguished Service Award recipients, graduation day for cadets and the prep school, a winning season for women’s basketball and a big day of giving.
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Air Force Gradcast: April 2025
Hear about a big win for a USAFA graduate wrestler, four shining stars for Hotel Polaris, a meet-and-greet with a Super Bowl winner and other events across the country.
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Air Force Gradcast: March 2025
Hear about Association of Graduates biennial board elections, the new NextGen Advisory Council, a new member of the Association & Foundation team and base access changes.
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Air Force Gradcast: February 2025
Hear about Association of Graduates board elections, USAFA winter sports in full swing and other news and events.
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Air Force Gradcast: January 2025
Hear about the retirement of USAFA’s dean of the faculty, the Artemis Moon Tree and closing out a successful donor campaign.
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Air Force Gradcast: November 2024
Hear about a long-awaited grand opening, tailgating by boat, travel plans to meet with grads and home games at Falcon stadium.
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Air Force Gradcast: October 2024
Hear about reunion and tailgating season, a message from the Academy’s new superintendent in Checkpoints and new podcast releases.
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Air Force Gradcast: September 2024
Hear about expanded roles in the Association & Foundation, increasing engagement with grads and reunion season.
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Air Force Gradcast: August 2024
Hear about the Academy’s new superintendent, AOG leadership awards and the 200 grads who marched back from Jacks Valley with the Class of 2028.
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Air Force Gradcast: December 2024
Hear about a new brand for the AOG and Foundation, progress on the new visitor center, a call for award nominations and how you can stay connected.
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