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: The Harmon Memorial
Just to the west of the Cadet Chapel, concealed by a stand of pine trees, is a bronze statue honoring Lieutenant General Hubert Harmon, the first superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.
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Heritage Minute: The Capt. Lance P. Sijan Memorial Sculpture
The United States Air Force Academy has one graduate Medal of Honor recipient. His name is Lance Peter Sijan, Class of 1965.
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Heritage Minute: The Belk Falcon Statue
Just outside of Falcon Stadium, on the east side, soars the largest falcon statue in the United States.
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Heritage Minute: The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy
In the early days — the 1950s, ’60s and early ’70s — Army and Navy were hesitant to face the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, citing concerns about the altitude.
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Heritage Minute: Falcon Stadium Events
The Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium has played host to countless significant events since its opening in 1962. The first event was, appropriately, a football game.
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Heritage Minute: Falcon Stadium - Home of the Fighting Falcons
Falcon Stadium, home of the Air Force Fighting Falcons, has a rich history. Plans for the facility date back to 1955, the year the first cadets reported to the Academy’s temporary home at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.
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Heritage Minute: USAFA Chapel — Buddhism and Other Faiths
The Cadet Chapel and surrounding areas offer worship spaces that accommodate nearly every cadet’s spiritual needs, including a Buddhist Chapel.
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Heritage Minute: Jewish Chapel
The Jewish Chapel shares the downstairs area of the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel with the Catholic and Buddhist worship spaces.
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Heritage Minute: Catholic Chapel
Occupying the bulk of the Cadet Chapel’s lower level is the Catholic Chapel. Called Our Lady of the Skies, the space was designed to give the impression of being a grotto.
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Heritage Minute: Protestant Chapel
The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel stands alone as the only chapel at a service academy that accommodates all faith groups under one roof.
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Heritage Minute: USAFA Cadet Chapel
The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel rises 150 feet into the thin Colorado air, its 17 gleaming spires echoing the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, jet formations in flight and sabres held high in salute.
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Heritage Minute: The P.O.W memorial
The Association of Graduates’ Heritage Trail features the POW Memorial Sculpture, a solemn tribute to 33 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates who endured captivity as prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.
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