Cadets to Return to Academy for Fall Semester
The Secretary of Defense has designated all accession sources and military training pipelines as mission essential. The U.S. Air Force Academy, as one of those key Air Force accession sources, will be one of the first universities in the nation to have its entire student body on campus by the end of July. In the next week, the remaining cadets will be returning to the Academy. The safety of cadets, staff and the entire USAFA community, as well as the Colorado Springs community, remains the number one priority.

Virtual March Back Through July 31st
Let's come together as a USAFA family and support the Class of 2024. Though the in-person Graduate March Back was cancelled, USAFA is going virtual and expanding participation to our entire USAFA family! Between July 18-31, you are invited to join the USAFA community and walk, run or march 6.2 miles in support of the Class of 2024 cadets returning from Basic Cadet Training in Jacks Valley. Watch the video, share your march photos/video and get involved!

Academy Releases Stats on Class of 2024
The Class of 2024 includes 63 sons and 35 daughters of service academy graduates — 8.6 percent of the class. Forty-five men and 24 women are sons and daughters of USAFA graduates. Both parents of five male and five female basic cadets in the Class of 2024 attended the Academy.

A Conversation with the Athletic Director
Academy graduates are invited to "A Conversation with the Athletic Director," a Zoom webinar hosted by the Air Force Academy Foundation and the Association of Graduates. The event will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. (Mountain Time), Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Registration deadline for the hour-long, online discussion with Nathan Pine is July 31.

7258' — Your Association at Work
Read the latest issue of the AOG's newsletter.

All Academy Challenge
Recognizing the tremendous uncertainty created by the COVID-19 crisis, service academy alumni communities have made it clear: they support the purpose and impact of their alma maters, and they want to play a part in their futures. With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce the coming 2020 All Academy Challenge — Aug. 16-20. It's 5 Teams. 5 Days. 1 Mission.

Air Garden Renovation Has Begun
Thanks to the classes of 1972, 1975 and 1976, as well as the Association of Graduates, the Air Force Academy Air Garden renovation has begun. When complete, it will look more like its original design from the 1950s. GE Johnson is doing the construction work with targeted completion by the end of 2020. Photos of the construction and the March 2017 Checkpoints story about the project are available online.

Planetarium and Observatory Telescope Donor Update
Since March 2019 when it officially opened, the improved Planetarium and STEM Center and state-of-the-art capabilities have shown visitors a variety of possibilities for careers, for education and for life. Donors helped bring the planetarium to life to offer such experiences. Likewise, the new observatory telescope has renewed excitement about space research at the Academy. The Air Force Academy Foundation sent an update to donors to both projects last week, featuring statistics, stories and videos.

Senate Confirms Loh as Next Air National Guard Director
The U.S. Senate confirmed U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael A. Loh '84 to serve as the 13th director of the Air National Guard July 20. By assuming the post, Loh will be promoted to lieutenant general.

Calhoun, Former Falcon Great Hennings To Speak at Virtual Coaches for Charity Event
Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun '89, along with former Falcon great and three-time Super Bowl champion Chad Hennings '88, will take part in the 13th Annual Colorado Coaches for Charity on Tuesday, July 28. Joining Calhoun and Hennings is two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning, along with other college head football coaches from around the state.

Science Instructor Named NC Teacher of the Year
Former Air Force intelligence officer Maureen M. Stover '97 received the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year honor. She is known to her students as the "Science Mom." She has been teaching biology, earth and environmental science for the last three years at the early college and also holds a number of leadership roles there.

Montgomery County Food Bank Announces New President and CEO
Kristine Marlow '92, former Children's Sacrament and Formation Manager at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Montgomery County, was announced as the new president and CEO of the Montgomery County Food Bank in Texas.

Lt. Graham '17 Leads On and Off the Court
It's difficult to miss the 6-foot-5 frame of 1st Lt. Hayden Graham '17, 50th Mission Support Group executive officer, at the 50th Space Wing headquarters building.

Flying Hours Increase at AF Academy
The Air Force Academy's summer flying training operations increase July 20-31.

USAFA Recognizes Class of 2020 Top Graduate
Lt. Gen. Silveria '85 recognized the USAFA Class of 2020 Top Graduate, 2Lt. Zack Bailey, during a small ceremony in Polaris Hall. Lt. Bailey was also recognized as the Outstanding Cadet in Mechanical Engineering, the Outstanding Cadet in Engineering and the Outstanding Cadet in Academic Performance. Lt. Bailey is a recipient of the Marshall Scholarship and is on his way to King's College London in the fall.

Air Force Athletics Announces Mobile Ticketing
Air Force athletics will introduce mobile ticketing, enabling contactless entry into all venues, beginning with the 2020 football season. This new, convenient technology will increase safety and convenience at all ticketed Air Force athletics events.

Air Force-Purdue Football Game Canceled
With the Big Ten Conference's most recent decision of only playing in-conference matches this fall, Air Force football's September game at Purdue has been canceled.