AIR FORCE GRADCAST

In the latest Air Force Gradcast, hear about the U.S. Air Force Academy’s new academic structure, the return of football and reunion season, and the upcoming Fisher DeBerry statue dedication. Also, hear from former Falcon baseball coach Maj. (Ret.) Mike Kazlausky ’91 about a lifetime spent developing USAFA cadets and athletes.
Plus, the NextGen community is growing — with career webinars, an entrepreneur group and more opportunities for grads to learn from and support one another.
Listen to the latest Gradcast and share it with a fellow grad today.

NextGen Connect host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 is joined by David Harris ’17,  the NextGen Advisory Council member behind their webinar series. David talks about how he's working within the council and what the group has accomplished over the past six-seven months. The needle is moving and NextGen is working hard to meet USAFA grads where they live or serve.

The Long Blue Line Is Never Far Away
What happens when you reconnect with the Air Force Academy nearly three decades after graduation?
In this edition of Chapter Check-In on Air Force Gradcast, Chris Bennett ’93 talks with Umar Rafi ’90, president of the Association of Graduates Northern California Chapter. One of the first two Pakistani cadets selected to attend USAFA, Rafi went on to serve as a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force before building a career in computer science. Years later, returning to the Academy for his 30th reunion rekindled friendships that felt as though no time had passed—and inspired a renewed commitment to give back to the Academy community.
Today, Rafi helps graduates throughout Northern California stay connected through chapter events, Academy visits, football gatherings and partnerships with the local parents' group, while also supporting prospective and incoming cadets. His message to fellow graduates is simple: stay connected, get involved and, when the opportunity comes, give back.Whether that means joining a chapter, volunteering or stepping forward to lead one, Rafi's story is a reminder that belonging to the Long Blue Line doesn't end at graduation.
 
 
The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation 
 
 

From the Front Range to the Front Lines
What can philanthropy make possible when universities, national security leaders and industry work together?
In this edition of Donor Impact Spotlight on Air Force Gradcast, Col. (Ret.) Paul Huffman ’86 joins host Vince Greco P’17 to share the early impact of the Front Range Consortium, a multi-university partnership made possible through support from The Anschutz Foundation. With the motto “From the Front Range to the Front Lines,” the FRC is bringing together expertise across Colorado’s Front Range to advance national security research, strengthen STEM and policy education and prepare the next generation of the defense workforce.
For the second consecutive year, the FRC’s National Security Scholars Program is giving  two students/cadets from each participating school access to national security experts, visits to NORTHCOM and SPACECOM, and firsthand exposure to Congress, the Pentagon and the State Department. Seed funding is also supporting Air Force Academy faculty research in areas including scramjet propulsion and critical infrastructure modeling. These are early examples of what becomes possible when philanthropy provides the resources to connect ideas, institutions and people around a shared mission. To learn more about the Front Range Consortium and opportunities to support its continued growth and impact, contact: Col. (Ret.) Paul Huffman ’86 Director, Front Range Consortiumpaul.huffman@usafa.org 
 
The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation 
 
 

The Air Force Academy is entering a new chapter.
In this month's Air Force Gradcast, we discuss the confirmation of Lt. Gen. Paul Moga ’95 as the U.S. Air Force Academy's 23rd superintendent, the dedication of the Distinguished Graduate Award Memorial and Yost Plaza, the unveiling of the class ring replica outside of Wecker Hall, and so much more.
 - 00:22:07 Chapter Check-In and Northern CA chapter president, Umar Rafi '90
 - 00:35:45 Donor Impact Spotlight and Paul Huffman '86, Director, Front Range Consortium
 - 00:49:00 - NextGen Connect and NextGen Advisory Council member, David Harris '17
 

There's a lot happening across the Long Blue Line - and we've got it all in one place. This month's Air Force Gradcast highlights the Distinguished Graduate Award Memorial, the Class of 2030, graduate networking, donor impact, upcoming events and the stories that continue to unite the USAFA community. Stay connected to your Long Blue Line family!
 
The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation