Episodios

  • Cadets of Summer, Reunions and Tailgates, Grads in the News and More!
    Sep 5 2025

    The Cadets of summer, tailgates, reunions, grads in the news and more — September’s Air Force Gradcast is packed! Join hosts Vince Greco P’17 and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 as they highlight the incredible summer research cadets did, hear how graduates are stepping into major national roles, and don’t miss updates on the Next of Kin program, new career transition resources and where to find us this fall — from the Navy game to networking events!

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    28 m
  • Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91 - USAFA Mission Brief and Grad Q&A
    Aug 21 2025
    In this special edition of Air Force Gradcast, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91, USAFA’s 22nd superintendent, shares an inside look into cadet development and answers graduate questions. Hosted by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, this episode dives into the Academy’s mission and how it is preparing our nation’s future warfighters. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT! Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest: Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91 | Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.)Navire Walkewicz ’99 Naviere Walkewicz This special edition of the Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network, presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation. I'm your host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz, Class of ’99. We're honored to feature the superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Class of ’91. In this presentation, Gen. Bauernfeind will share important updates on current initiatives and developments at our Air Force Academy. Following his remarks, he and I will sit down for a conversation, during which he'll respond to questions submitted by graduates in our alumni community. So now, without further ado, Gen. Bauernfeind. Thank you for being here, sir. Gen. Bauernfeind Well, Naviere, thank you so much for allowing us to come and share our story of our wonderful Air Force Academy. And thank you as well to the Association of Graduates and the Foundation for all of the incredible support that we receive to develop our future leaders into the warrior leaders that we need on Day 1 in our Air Force and Space Force. Naviere Walkewicz Yes, sir, we are grateful you're here, and we can't wait to hear what you're able to share with us today, sir, so we can jump ahead if you're ready. Gen. Bauernfeind Wonderful. So I would like to share with you an updated mission brief of where we are going at the United States Air Force Academy. And during this time, I'd like to share not only our leadership team that's taking on the transformation that has been mandated, but also to update our alumni on our mission, our vision, our priorities and our mission sets, as well as talk about how we are creating warfighters, leaders of character and quality, and critical thinkers, and provide an update of how we are transforming this amazing institution to develop those warrior leaders that we need to keep our adversaries at bay. So as always, I'd like to start all briefings with a little video that highlights what our cadets are doing and our incredible public affairs team and video team put together the following video that shows what our cadets have been doing over the last six months... ...So you can see that our cadets have been absolutely busy over the last few months, and I can attest that this summer is they brought the problems up even more and are bringing even more energy to their training, their education, their development. But let me first talk about the amazing team at the senior leadership levels at the United States Air Force Academy, because we cannot do what we're doing without this incredible team. So first, we're welcoming reader Gen. Nicholas Evans as our new vice superintendent, coming out as the 18th Wing commander at Kadena Air Base, bringing a wonderful operational experience to bear, as well as academic bona fides to be our vice superintendent. Our command chief remains Command Chief John Alsvig and our commandant remains to be Brig. Gen. Marks and Col. Steve Hasstedt is our acting dean as we work to bring a new dean into bear. Ms. Gail Colvin is our stalwart chief of staff, with her wisdom from the Class of ’80 that keeps us moving forward. Ms. Jen Block is our executive athletic director. Mr. Nate Pine is our director of athletics, and our brand new wing commander, the 10th Air Base Wing, Col. Ahave Brown. And we all know that nothing happens at USAFA without the 10th Air Base wing providing the foundational support. But also Col. Taylor from the 306 Flying Training Wing, and Col. Silva is our space detachment commander, and it's important that we have all those leaders that are helping us transform USAFA. And to that transformation, we talk about our updated mission statement that was approved last fall. And that updated mission statement is that “USAFA’s mission is to forge leaders of character motivated to a lifetime of service and developed to lead our Air Force and Space Force as we fight and win our nation's wars.” And for the alumni, as we went through this mission statement development, we realized that there are many activities we take on at the United States Air Force Academy. There's education, there's training, there's motivation, inspiration, ...
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    1 h
  • Lt. Col. Nichole "Vapor" Ayers ’11 - A Falcon's Flight to the Stars
    Aug 12 2025

    Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers ’11 joins us from orbit! From cadet to astronaut, she shares how the U.S. Air Force Academy prepared her for life aboard the International Space Station, the lessons space learned in the space program about leadership and how viewing Earth from 250 miles up re-shapes one's call to serve.

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    16 m
  • Truman Scholars, USAFA Players in the NFL, an Unusual Sandwich, and More!
    Aug 8 2025

    Truman Scholars, USAFA players in the NFL, and a peanut butter–banana–mayo sandwich. They all made the cut in this edition of Air Force Gradcast! Hosts Vince Greco P’17 and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 talk Acceptance Day, Long Blue Line Weekend, legendary Coach Fisher DeBerry and so much more.

    Naviere Walkewicz in her North Dakota studio and Vince Greco on hand in the Wecker Hall studio.

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    21 m
  • I-Day, a New Day for the Association & Foundation, Talking with the North TX AOG, and More!
    Jul 11 2025

    Your July Air Force Gradcast is here! In this episode, the Class of 2029 arrives and brings a record-breaking crowd; the Academy releases new security info for non-military ID holders; USAFA athletes are exhibiting excellence on a national level, and we share an informational, motivational and emotional conversation with Rick Wright ’74, AOG North Texas chapter president.

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    40 m
  • A Gradcast Special Presentation - Distinguished Service Award Recipients
    Jun 13 2025

    In this special feature of the Air Force Gradcast, we spotlight the most recent recipients of the Academy’s Distinguished Service Award—exceptional graduates whose lives and careers reflect the highest ideals of service, leadership, and integrity. ----more----

    Through thoughtful conversation, they share what shaped their paths, how they continue to serve, and why the Long Blue Line remains such a vital force in their lives. It’s a compelling listen for anyone who wants to reconnect with the spirit of the Academy and be inspired by those who’ve carried its values far and wide.

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    23 m
  • 2025's Tossing of the Hats, Drumroll Please, Class of ’76 Echelon Project, and Much More
    Jun 6 2025

    Your June Air Force Gradcast is here! Join hosts Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 and Vince Greco P ’17, along with special guest Steve Lincoln, the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation's senior development writer and editor. They discuss the Class of 2025 graduation, Athletics Hall of Fame nominees, a big fundraising win, the Class of 1976 50th reunion project and much more!

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    24 m
  • Graduation Day, Honoring Distinguished Service, a Day of Giving and More
    May 2 2025

    In this edition of Air Force Gradcast hosts Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 and Vince Greco P ’17 and their special guests, Mr. John Martinson and Mr. Randy Helms, Distinguished Service Award wrecipients as they discuss how the Academy honors distinguished service. In news, updates, and events, graduation day for cadets and the prep school; a winning season for women’s basketball; a BIG day of giving and so much more! Gradcast drops the first Friday of every month and is available on any of your favorite podcast apps. Tune in Friday and share with your USAFA community!

    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT!

    Air Force Gradcast is a presentation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

    VISIT FLYCOS.COM HERE

    FALL IN LOVE WITH COLORADO SPRINGS' SMALL AIRPORT

    The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport

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    32 m