U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A crucial phase of the iconic U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel’s restoration is now underway, as teams conduct meticulous water tests to guarantee the landmark’s future integrity.
The initial round of water testing, which began in mid-December and is scheduled for completion in January, represents a key milestone in a massive project to correct long-standing issues resulting in water damage since the chapel's original construction.
"A critical feature of this entire project is to make sure the chapel doesn't leak again, ever," said Col. Bryan Cooper, Chapel restoration project manager with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, a primary subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center.
The chapel’s persistent leaks were rooted in its complex architecture and thousands of seams. To create a permanent solution, crews are installing a multi-layered weather-proofing system consisting of new aluminum panels to serve as a gutter system, custom covers encapsulating the steel frame, new windows, and silicon transition strips, all sealed with over 13 miles of high-performance joint sealant.
To validate this new construction, a detailed water testing protocol is in place. Testing involves spraying the chapel’s new water resistive system with water at 30 to 35 pounds per square inch, similar to a light pressure washer, while crews inside monitor for any signs of leakage. The goal is "to prove what we're building will withstand any future rainstorms, snowstorms, etc. the building is going to experience over the life of it,” Cooper said.
The initial test phase alone requires inspecting 1,800 linear feet of sealant, representing only a fraction of the nearly 14 miles of joints to be tested. The chapel's unique geometry presents immense challenges to this process, Cooper said.
"Everything is in the air, from 15 feet to 150 feet above ground level,” he said. “The entire test must be performed from a boom lift.”
Throughout the process, an observer on the inside of the chapel must check for leaks, requiring constant communication between teams. When a leak is detected, it is marked for a root cause analysis, and the failed section is replaced and re-tested until it passes.
The water testing will be a long, multi-stage process. Following the initial testing, a third-party agency will conduct repeat tests when construction progresses to 25%, 50% and 75% completion. These formal checkpoints ensure rigorous quality control throughout the project.
Each successful test in the validation process brings the Air Force one step closer to unveiling the fully restored landmark, Cooper said.
“The goal is to return the Cadet Chapel to service, ensuring it is structurally sound, environmentally safe, and ready for cadets, families and visitors for years to come.”