(U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.) — The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) provided an update on the progress of the restoration of the historic Cadet Chapel, which has been undergoing renovations since it closed to the public in 2019.

According to USAFA, the Air Force is working closely with its primary contractor to accelerate restoration of the chapel by resolving process bottlenecks, streamlining contracting and funding actions, and ensuring accurate reporting of progress and risk to senior leadership.

Two of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s units, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) and Air Force Installation Contracting Center (AFICC), are working closely with JE Dunn Construction to identify opportunities to accelerate schedules while maintaining the integrity of the restoration, according to USAFA.

Under Secretary Matt Lohmeier toured the site in the fall and pledged to help clear hurdles in the way of faster progress. “I am encouraged by the productive meetings I had with the leadership team from JE Dunn, USAFA, and AFIMSC,” said Lohmeier. “All parties are working urgently to accomplish a very important – albeit complicated – project with alacrity.”

The original contract with JE Dunn Construction was for $152 million and included replacing the chapel’s aluminum siding, installing a new water barrier, and restoring two organs, along with the pews and 24,000 pieces of original stained glass.

The update noted that unforeseen site conditions discovered in 2020 delayed the original timeline of the restoration, when a larger-than-expected amount of asbestos abatement was required, and alignment deficiencies from the original construction that had been hidden by the exterior cladding were discovered.

“As we address long‑standing issues, we’re committed to making permanent fixes, not temporary bandages,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Sherman, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander. “The Chapel’s significance in Air Force and the Academy’s history and culture means every solution must balance modern performance with respect for its legacy… We are committed to working hand in hand with JE Dunn to ensure the work is done correctly and completed as quickly as possible.”

According to the update, the restoration is tackling long-standing issues, including water damage, that were caused by cost-saving design choices made in 1958. The complex geometry of glass and metal created thousands of seams that leaked, requiring constant maintenance that proved inadequate over the years.

During construction, the chapel has been enclosed by a pre-engineered building, allowing contractors to work year-round on both the interior and exterior while protected from the weather. Crews are installing new weather-resistant panels and updating anchors, panels, and cladding to address alignment issues and bring the construction up to meet today’s codes.

Following the completion of the initial water-resistant system, contractors began water testing during the week of Dec. 15, to ensure the chapel’s restorations are watertight. “The project team recently started water‑testing newly installed exterior panels, a key checkpoint on the path to permanent, long‑term fixes that will protect the Chapel for generations to come,” according to USAFA.

Crews are also preparing the building for the reinstallation of the 24,000 stained-glass panels, which had to be cleaned, and damaged pieces replaced using the original molds. Specialists have restored both organs, reinstalling one and storing the other off-site until it can be reinstalled.

“When the project is complete, the renovated Cadet Chapel will stand as both a testament to (architect) Walter Netsch’s original vision and to the Air Force’s commitment to preserving its heritage,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick Miller, AFCEC commander. “For cadets, families, and visitors, the chapel will continue to embody the Academy’s ingenuity, dedication to spiritual fitness, resilience, and the enduring values of service for generations to come.”