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
Heritage Minute Special: Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Vasquez
Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Vasquez has a deep history serving the Long Blue Line, including at the Air Force Academy.
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Long Blue Leadership: Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre '96
Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre '96 opens up about how her leadership journey was transformed by a mis-step she once made that led her to introspection and clarity.
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Checkpoints: We are one USAFA
Participation and engagement defined the third annual 1Day1USAFA day of giving on May 8, 2024. More than 3,100 donors, including over 2,000 graduates, demonstrated their support for the U.S. Air Force Academy by donating $3 million across 196 funds.
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Heritage Minute Special: 45 Years Serving the Long Blue Line
In the waning days of his 45-year career serving and supporting the Long Blue Line, Maj. (Ret.) Tom Kroboth was inducted as an honorary member of the Association of Graduates.
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News: IFC Influence Stretches Beyond Academy Boundaries
To stay abreast of emerging global threats, fellows and senior leaders at the Air Force Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict aren’t merely observing from an academic ivory tower. They’re actively gathering intelligence from various sources and traveling abroad to research what’s truly happening in conflict hot spots.
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Checkpoints: Celebrating philanthropic vision
Hugh Williamson ’64 first heard of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s planned TrueNorth Commons development during an Air Force Academy Foundation board meeting break several years ago. He and fellow board director and developer Dan Schnepf ’83 talked about Schnepf’s hopes for the future of the Academy’s North Gate.
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News: Building bonds and giving back
Since its establishment on May 18, 2011, the Twin Cities Area Chapter of the Association of Graduates has grown into a vibrant and generous community. The chapter began with 24 graduates coming together to draft bylaws and elect officers. It has since grown, reaching more than 600 graduates in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Long Blue Leadership: Maj. Austin McKinney '10
USAFA Class of 2010 valedictorian, Maj. Austin McKinney, discusses how the trust he earned and integrity he learned as a cadet led him to the U.S. Department of State where he helps build relationships between U.S. and global leaders.
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News: Member Notification
As required by Colorado state law, the Association of Graduates has provided a list of AOG graduate member names and physical mailing addresses to two requesting parties.
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News: Fly, fight and win
For nearly two decades, cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy have traveled to Connecticut to learn from some of the top minds in engineering at Pratt & Whitney.
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Long Blue Leadership: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Richard Clark '86
A conversation between brothers in arms who have known each other since the early 1980s - one an athlete, the other his coach at the time.
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Heritage Minute: The Falcon Mews
Explore the Falcon Mews with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 in final Heritage Minute episode of the season. Members of the Class of ’59 chose the falcon as the U.S. Air Force Academy's mascot on Sept. 25, 1955.
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