Monuments and Displays

USAFA'S Exceptional Collector

In this edition of Heritage Minute Special, host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is holding a reunion of sorts.

A Gallery of Great Airmen

The “Gallery of Great Airmen” is an artistic gem located in the Exemplar area of Fairchild Hall. 

The Bell of Neuville Tolls a Story

There is an artifact in the Academy’s Community Center area that predates the Academy by more than 140 years. 

The F-100 Super Sabre

One of the Academy’s best, and mostly unknown, historical artifacts is located on the campus of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School.  The North American F-100 Super Sabre aircraft on static display here has an amazing history.

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 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. 

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 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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.