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: 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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Heritage Minute: The Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion
The most prominent and commanding structure along the Heritage Trail is the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. A gift from the Class of 1970, it was dedicated on Oct. 1, 2010, during its 40-year reunion.
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Heritage Minute: The Pegasus Statue
Outside Doolittle Hall at the Air Force Academy stands a striking sculpture of Pegasus, the legendary winged horse.
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Heritage Minute: Distinguished Graduate Pedestals
A vital part of the Association of Graduates’ commitment to preserving our heritage is recognizing and honoring the Academy’s most exceptional alumni.
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Heritage Minute: Class of 1959 Challenge Bridge
A key feature of the Heritage Trail at Doolittle Hall is the Challenge Bridge. The bridge was commissioned by the Academy’s first graduating class, the Class of ’59, and their surrogate upperclassmen, the Air Training Officers.
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Heritage Minute: The Heritage Trail
One of the three missions of the Association of Graduates is to promote the heritage of the Academy and the accomplishments of its graduates. One very visible representation of this undertaking is the Heritage Trail, located adjacent to Doolittle Hall, the AOG’s headquarters building.
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Heritage Minute: Doolittle Hall
In this episode, a walk-through of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation headquarters named for Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle.
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Heritage Minute: Medal of Honor Wall
In this Heritage Minute season finale, host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon '77 focuses on the Medal of Honor Wall. The display, located on the second floor of Fairchild Hall, features the names and likenesses of all members of the U.S. Air Force and predecessor organizations who have received the Medal of Honor.
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