Homestead Roots

USAFA'S Storytellers - Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dean Miller

In this edition of Heritage Minute Podcast, a behind-the-scenes look at how the U.S. Air Force Academy tells its story. Host Lt Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is joined by Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dean Miller, a former USAFA public affairs specialist and strategic communications leader, who explains why relationships and trust matter most. Miller reflects on what he carried forward from the Academy — integrity, service and excellence — and how those values matter in every role.

50 Years with Women at USAFA - Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tanya Hurwitz ’95

This April in Colorado Springs, more than 600 members of the Long Blue Line will come together to mark 50 years of women at the U.S. Air Force Academy For five decades, thousands of women have helped define the mission and legacy of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Today, leaders like Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tanya Hurwitz ’95 are bringing those stories full circle — connecting past impact with future generations.

Homestead Roots

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s history didn’t begin in the 1950s. In this edition of Heritage Minute Special, Col. (Ret.) Jack Anthony ’78 discusses the pioneers who lived on the land before the founding of the U.S. Air Force Academy — including the McAlroy family. Col. David McAlroy ’03 joins the conversation to reflect on discovering his family’s connection.     The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation

Wecker Hall: Home at Last

Groundbreaking began in October 2023. By September 2024, employees signed the final beam at the topping out ceremony. Staff moved in May 2025 — bringing the Association & Foundation and the Falcon Foundation together under one roof. Designed in the Academy’s modernist style, Wecker Hall features collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms and a dedicated podcast studio. Its geothermal field, rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient design support a net-zero vision — maximizing stewardship. Named in honor of Dr. Bill Wecker ’63 and his late wife, Mary Linn, the facility reflects a commitment to growth, sustainability and the future of the Long Blue Line.

Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck ’12 - Honoring Air Power's Roots

In this edition of the Heritage Minute Special, Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck ’12 returns to the U.S. Air Force Academy to reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Gen. Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, the U.S. Air Force’s first chief of staff and a foundational figure in American airpower. This episode examines Civil Air Patrol’s origins and the significance of the Spaatz Award. Julian shares how early exposure to military traditions shaped his own path to USAFA and why preserving heritage remains essential to developing future leaders.       The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation