HERITAGE MINUTE

Blodgett Peak's 1943 C-49-J Crash Site

The Academy is home to a large number of impressive static display aircraft.  In addition to those in populated areas, there is one aircraft well off the beaten path, just to the west of the Academy, that predates the others by decades.

KAFA: The Academy's Radio Station

KAFA, the Academy's cadet-run radio station began broadcasting at 6:57 p.m., under the direction of Cadet John Severski ’71. 

KAFA 97.7 FM: USAFA'S Radio Station

Lots of colleges and universities have radio stations, but there is only one KAFA!

A Legacy of Leadership and Scholarship - Gen. (Ret.) Steve Lorenz ’73

Gen. (Ret.) Steve Lorenz (R) graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1973 and went on to participate in some of the most impactful moments in our nation’s history. Hear a few of his stories in this edition of the Heritage Minute Special podcast with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 (L).
 
GEN. LORENZ' BIO
GEN. (RET.) STEPHEN R. LORENZ ’73
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FALCON FOUNDATION
 
 
RECOMMENDED READING:  LORENZ ON LEADERSHIP
Nothing speaks better to the subject of effective leadership than the need to develop professionally. General Lorenz believes that leadership is tied to a continuing study of the profession, thus the need for leaders to read. He particularly advocates reading biographies of great leaders. He found that learning from other’s experiences helped keep him from wasting time reinventing the wheel. And reading, like any other leadership development, is a lifetime experience because, as he describes it, “Life is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash.”
 - Copy credit:  Amazon.com
 
READ "LORENZ ON LEADERSHIP" HERE
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
 
 

The Biggest Permanent Mural in the World

The Air Force Academy houses one of the largest permanently hung murals in the world. 

The Home of Falcons Hockey

One of the three sporting venues in the Cadet Field House is the 2,600-seat Cadet Ice Rink. 

USAFA'S Clune Arena - Home Falcon Basketball

Covering nearly five acres of terrain and encompassing three distinct sporting areas, the Cadet Field House plays host to a number of events, not all athletic in nature.  The largest of the three venues, in terms of seating capacity, is Clune Arena. 

The Cavernous Cadet Field House

The Air Force Academy’s cavernous Cadet Field House contains facilities for intercollegiate basketball, hockey, and track & field, among other sports and events.  Sometimes IT'S mistakenly called Clune Arena.

How the Wings of Blue got its Start - A Heritage Minute Special

It all started in the spring of 1962 when a band of bootleg jumpers made their first parachute jumps as cadets.

Remembering the T-38 Talon

Just to the west of the Academy airfield is the Thunderbird Overlook.  It contains two interesting static display aircraft: the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt and the Northrop T-38 Talon. 

Behemoth B-52: 1 - MIG: 0

Can you believe this behemoth shot down a MiG?  Well, it did!

A-10 Warthog - The Chopper Popper

The Thunderbird Overlook near the south end of the Academy is home to two static display aircraft:  the Northrop T-38 Talon and the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt (aka the Warthog). 

On Silver Wings - The Tuskegee Airmen

A bronze statue in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen is on display outside Harmon Hall on the Academy’s Honor Court.  The plaque affixed to the statue’s base reads:  Quote:  “They rose from adversity through competence, courage, commitment and capacity to serve America on silver wings and to set a standard few will transcend.”  Unquote.  The statue, completed by Tuskegee Airman and artist Clarence Shivers, was unveiled and donated to the Academy in 1988 by the Hook-Jones Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.  A wreath-laying ceremony is conducted at the site each year.
The term “Tuskegee Airmen” refers to all who were involved in the Army Air Corps program to train African-Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft during World War II.  At a time of racial segregation in the military, the Tuskegee Airmen answered the call to arms and flew a total of 1,578 combat missions during the war.  They flew fighters on ground attack and bomber escort missions over Europe and North Africa.  Approximately 150 Tuskegee Airmen lost their lives while in training or on combat flights.  On March 29, 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award that may be bestowed by the United States Congress.
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
 
 
 
 

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. 

The Capt. Lance P. Sijan Memorial Statue

The United States Air Force Academy has one graduate Medal of Honor recipient.  His name is Lance Peter Sijan, Class of 1965. 

"Honor Bound" A Portrait in Courage - A Heritage Minute Special

Heritage Minute host, Steve Simon recently welcomed Jim Nance, USAFA Class of ’71, and Major Joe Flescher, Class of ’14 to the studio.  Jim is a renowned sculptor and created the 2,000 lb.  "Honor Bound - A Portrait in Courage" plaque now mounted on the east exterior wall of USAFA's Southeast Asia Pavilion.  Maj. Flescher served as his model.

The Belk Falcon Statue

Just outside of Falcon Stadium, on the east side, soars the largest falcon statue in the United States. 

The Commander in Chief's Trophy

In the “old” days, (the fifties, sixties and early seventies), Army and Navy were afraid to play the Falcons in Colorado – something about the altitude. 

Game Day 1962 - 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. 

Things you Might not Know About Jimmy Doolittle - A Heritage Minute Special

In this Heritage Minute Special, Col. (Ret.) John Abbatiello, PhD., author and historian, talks with host, Steve Simon ’77 about his work deep researching and studying the life and times of WWII pilot, Jim Doolittle.  

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. 

USAFA's Spaces for Buddhists and Other Faiths

The Cadet Chapel and surrounding areas provide worship spaces to accommodate virtually every cadet interest. 

USAFA's Jewish Chapel

The Jewish Chapel shares the downstairs area of the Cadet Chapel with the Catholic and Buddhist worship spaces. 

USAFA's 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. 

USAFA's Protestant Chapel

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel stands alone as the only chapel at a service academy that accommodates all faith groups under one roof. 

Chief Master SGT. (Ret.) Bob Vasquez - A Heritage Minute Special

Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Vasquez has a deep history serving the Long Blue Line, including at the Air Force Academy.

USAFA's Iconic Cadet Chapel

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel soars 150 feet into the thin Colorado air.  Its 17 spires evoke the mountains that form its backdrop, jets flying in formation, and raised sabres. 

The POW Memorial - Remembering USAFA's Prisoners of War

The Association of Graduates’ Heritage Trail includes the POW Memorial Sculpture.  Located at the entrance of the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion, it contains the names of the 33 Academy graduates who were prisoners of war in Vietnam. 

The Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion - A Most Commanding Edifice

The largest and most commanding structure on the Heritage Trail is the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion.  A gift of the Class of ‘70, it was dedicated on October first, 2010, during the class’s 40-year reunion. 

The Pegasus Statue - The Story Behind this Special Gift

In the traffic circle outside Doolittle Hall, the Air Force Academy alumni headquarters, is a remarkable sculpture of Pegasus.

45 Years Serving the Long Blue Line - A Heritage Minute Special

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 during a Dec. 5, 2023 ceremony.

Distinguished Graduate Pedestals - Commemorating USAFA Grads of Distinction

An important part of the Association of Graduates’ commitment to heritage is recognizing and honoring the Academy’s most outstanding graduates. 

The Challenge Bridge - "To Each Incoming Cadet..."

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.

The Heritage Trail - Celebrating Graduate Accomplishments

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. 

How Doolittle Hall Got its Name - Heritage Minute

Season 2 of Heritage Minute with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is under way! In this episode, a walk-through of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation headquarters named for Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle.

Eyewitness to Operation Homecoming - A Story Untold for 50 Years

Penny Grossman served 21 years of active duty as an Air Force nurse. In 1973, She was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines during Operation Homecoming, when nearly 600 American Prisoners of War were freed. The first leg of their journey home took them from Hanoi to Clark Air Base, where Penny witnessed their first steps of freedom.She has not spoken of these difficult memories in 50 years.

Honoring the Greatest of the Greats - Heritage Minute

The primary goal of the United States Air Force Academy is to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become leaders of character for the nation. 

We ARE Meant to Fly! - Heritage Minute

Dive into the story behind the Col. Richard Gimbel Aeronautical Library, located at the top floor of USAFA's McDermott Library!

First in Flight! - The Wright Brothers Display - Heritage Minute

One of the most interesting areas in the McDermott Library is the stunning circular staircase pinnacled by a replica of the Wright Brothers' airplane. 

A Collection that Inspired The Great Escape - Heritage Minute

Displayed along the spiral staircase of USAFA’s McDermott Library is an impressive collection of rifles used by U.S. troops throughout the ages.

The USAFA Graduate War Memorial - Heritage Minute

Situated at the north end of the Air Garden on the Academy Cadet area’s Terrazzo, just under the flagpole proudly displaying the American flag, is the Academy’s Graduate War Memorial.

Mystery, History and Stories - A Heritage Minute Special

Have you met the “USAFA Before USAFA History Guy?”

USAFA's 70th Birthday - Heritage Minute In the News

WATCH!  HERITAGE MINUTE IN THE NEWS
It’s the Air Force Academy’s 70th year bringing up great leaders who go on to serve the nation in uniform!

F-15A & F-16A — Heritage Minute

A pair of fighter jets on display at the Academy played key roles in our national defense! Steve Simon ’77 has their story!‌

Flashing Back to the F-105D Thunderchief

In this episode of the Heritage Minute podcast, host Steve Simon '77, flashes back to May 1968 when the F-105D Thunderchief static display on the USAFA Terrazzo was dedicated.

USAFA's F-4D Phantom II

The grassy center of the Academy Cadet Area’s Terrazzo open space features a static display aircraft on each of its four corners.

USAFA's 9/11 Memorial - Heritage Minute

The 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on September 9, 2011, as part of the Class of 1976's 35th reunion class giving project. The memorial incorporates an actual girder from the World Trade Center.

Heritage Minute Podcast Introduction

Welcome to the Heritage Minute Podcast Channel!