As we celebrate the convergence of milestones this year — the 250th anniversary of our great nation and the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood — it is fitting to reflect on the foundations of our enduring strength. For the Department of War, that strength does not reside solely within the confines of our military installations; it is deeply rooted in the communities that surround and support us. The recent opening of the Hosmer Visitor Center at the United States Air Force Academy is a profound testament to this enduring bond.

While our May 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony was a moment of great celebration, the true story of this facility is not about its opening day. It is a story about a vision cast more than a decade ago, the perseverance demanded to see it through and the undeniable truth that national security and military readiness are shared endeavors.

The journey began with the “City for Champions” initiative pitched to the state in 2013. The concept was ambitious: to propel the Pikes Peak region forward by building world-class venues that would drive tourism, promote regional growth and cement the area as a premier destination. The Academy visitor center was identified early on as a capstone of this initiative.

An achievement like this is never the product of chance. It demands an unwavering commitment to a long-term vision and collective teamwork across various public and private entities. It took the sustained focus of three consecutive mayoral administrations and dedicated city councils — starting with the initial vision, through years of heavy lifting, and brought across the finish line with steadfast local support. It also required the backing of the State of Colorado, with state leadership working with multiple Academy administrations and former Superintendents, through a pandemic, to solidify what they recognized to be true: that a federal military mission and a state economic vision could seamlessly intertwine to create something that will impact generations.

Transforming that 34,000-square-foot plot of land just outside our North Gate required the ingenuity and grit of countless visionaries. The developer, Class of 1983’s Dan Schnepf and Blue & Silver Development Partners, along with countless contractors and engineers, provided the critical expertise and dedication needed to bring True North Commons to the threshold of a federal installation.

Beyond these civic and commercial efforts, another pillar of this project’s success was the generosity of our philanthropic partners. Driven by the dedicated efforts of the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, this vision was made possible by a lead gift from Academy Class of 1970 graduate Jerome “Jerry” Bruni and his wife, Pam. Their quiet counsel and steadfast support turned an ambitious blueprint into a reality that will inspire future generations.

It is deeply fitting that this new gateway from the city of Colorado Springs to the Academy bears the name of our 12th Superintendent, retired Lt. Gen. Bradley Hosmer, and his wife, Zita. General Hosmer’s legacy of unyielding integrity and a lifetime of service will now greet every guest.

The building itself reflects this heritage of aviation and upward momentum. Designed with four ascending rooflines, the structure evokes an aircraft lifting into the sky — a striking physical representation of the four-year crucible our cadets endure to become officers in the Air Force and Space Force.

Beneath those rooflines, the interior shell was transformed into an immersive visitor’s experience by Kwan Nasco Joint Ventures, along with a team of designers at Gallagher and Associates and 1220 Exhibit Fabricators. Through their themed galleries and interactive exhibits, they invite the American public to step directly into that 47-month journey. Visitors will feel the intensity of our adversary-focused military training, understand the rigor of our academics, appreciate our highly competitive athletics and witness firsthand how we transform the brightest young minds from across the nation into warfighters, leaders and critical thinkers.

More than a showcase of military excellence, this visitor center represents a much broader truth: the Department of War relies implicitly on the civilian communities that host us. While the Academy is a force generation platform — delivering roughly one thousand warrior-leaders to our nation every year — we cannot build the military of the future in a vacuum. We rely on local communities to welcome our forces, educate our young Americans and provide the civic infrastructure that sustains our forces. When the broader community rallies behind a project of this magnitude, it sends a powerful message to every young man and woman who walks through our gates: your service matters and your community stands with you.

While our visitor center will make our alumni and all Americans proud, it is fundamentally designed to ignite a spark. We want young Americans to hear the call to serve and to recognize that the future defense of this nation may one day rest on their shoulders. As we look toward 250 years of American independence, we must remember that it will be the future classes of Academy graduates who will secure national security for the next two and a half centuries. Many of their journeys will start right here, in a facility built by the very community they will swear an oath to defend.

It truly took an entire village to make this happen. To everyone who spent the last decade making this urban renewal and City for Champions state and regional tourism project a reality: Thank You! You have given the United States Air Force Academy a world-class gateway, and you have proven that our greatest achievements are always forged together. In a testament to its immediate impact, the visitor center welcomed more than 3,000 guests during its opening weekend and nearly 30,000 since.

Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind is the U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent.