One Encounter almost turned physical
Multiple eye witness reports personally given to AFP allege that the spouse of USAFA AOG Board Chair Cathy Almand -- Dave Almand -- verbally assaulted two members of the USAFA AOG board, both retired USAF general officers, at a recent board meeting.
We spoke to BG General Walker and he described a verbal attack that was very physical in its nature, and aggressive. He told AFP he had to stop himself from responding in a similar manner other than a verbal response, and left the area.
AFP asked the AOG earlier in the week for comment via multiple email addresses, including the direct email of Cathy Almand, and Mark Hille, the President of the AOG, but as of publication have not received a response.
AFP has some questions regarding the incident...
- At publication, we understand Cathy Almand is still in her position as Chair of the AOG Board. How can she be effective going forward in that role?
- What has been the AOG's response to the incident? We hear rumors that Almand received a 'dressing down' from Mark Hille, with the threat of banning him from future events. How can Almand be allowed to attend future AOG events?
- Where is the accountability?
The Air Force Academy has been found to have been pushing a Marxist DEI agenda by its leadership, and lying to graduates about that reality. We have documented this agenda multiple times at AFP.
President Trump has insisted on accountability from the military for its behavior over the last decade.
Accountability should also be demanded among the leadership of the AOG, as many see the organization as complicit in past problems at the Academy.
AFP invites the leadership of the USAFA AOG for a cordial, fair interview on this issue and others at the Academy and the AOG.
Below is the memo for record of BG Christopher Walker, (USAF, Ret)
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
24 JULY 2025
At approximately 1900 on the evening in Doolittle Hall, I was talking with Lt Gen
Bishop and a few other gents during the social reception. I left the reception room to take a
phone call approximately 1910. While on that call, in the main hall near the stairway, I hear
someone yell, “MOOKIE!” It was Dave Almand, the spouse of the Board Chair.
I asked my friend on the phone if I could call back in 5 minutes. At the same time,
Dan Bohlin came up to me to ask for a quick conversation… I asked Dan to let me say hello
to Dave Almand. Dave did not want to shake my hand (similar Modus Operandi I heard he’d
had with Rod Bishop), and he laid into me for “disrespecting his wife” for not immediately
answering phone calls and emails, and also for being in league with “racist Trumpists.” Mr.
Almand then started yelling at the top of his voice for me to resign from the board…
At that point, the “conversation” devolved into a swearing match. I am somewhat
ashamed Dan Bohlin had to witness me saying some very ugly things to Dave.
Anyway, we need to address this. We cannot have AOG Board Director’s spouses
coming up to other directors like ANTIFA. It could have gotten physical very easily. I
decided to leave Doolittle Hall as soon as I finished my calm conversation with Dan Bohlin,
and Alexander Fogassy was walking out at the same time. We left around 1930.
CHRISTOPHER S. WALKER, Brig Gen, USAF, Retired
Below is the memo for record from LTG Rod Bishop (USAF, Ret).
Memo For Record
24 Jul 25
On 24 Jul 2025 I was entering Wecker Hall at approximately 1255 for a previously scheduled meeting at 1300 with Katie Willemarck, given my responsibilities on the Finance Committee. As I was talking with Ruth Reichert (sp?), who was filling as the receptionist, when a man (who was dressed very casually) who looked familiar, (but I did not fully recognize) came up to me, saying “well there’s General Bishop.” I put out my hand to shake his, he kept his hand stiffly by his side. He began by asking me if I remembered “all the problems I caused him when he was working in “the AMD.” (Air Mobility Division) I was not sure what he was talking about—as I have overseen a number of AMDs—most notably during 6 deployments in 1998-1999, when I was assigned as the Director of Mobility Forces for a number of contingencies in the European Theater, and again in 2006-2008 when I served as “Air Commander Europe” and 3 AF Commander. I asked specifically what he was referring to and he said “all the issues with the “theater express.” I told him I was sorry, I don’t remember any issues with the “theater express” (note: the AMD is one division in the Air Operations Center (AOC)—an organization of over 1000 people with an 0-6 as the head of the AOC and a major or LtCol as the head of the AMD. I don’t remember any issues with the AOC whatsoever—in fact, one of the AMD chiefs is a good friend whom I remain in contact. The man then added “and you have given my wife such a hard time—I was thinking she worked somewhere in the AOC as well, not realizing he was referring to our BOD Chair—but didn’t have time to ask as he immediately transitioned the conversation to “I hate what you Unity Slate candidates have done to the graduate community—you guys are nothing but a bunch of Trump extremists. And you have made it so hard on Coach Calhoun and others. You twist things and make it look like you represent the graduate community –which you don’t. I said, “well we represent a majority of the graduate community who cared enough to vote. I wish I could buy you a beer and we could discuss.” He concluded by saying—” I’ll pass--not until you resign—something you should do right now. “
A second event occurred just before tonight’s AOG social. I was talking with a fellow Charleston AFB former Wing CC, Jaron Roux, when a man, I now know to be Dave Almand came walking by with our Chair Person. Jaron said “oh here come Dave and Cathy now.” I put out my hand and said, “well we can have a Charleston reunion. Once again, the man I now know to be Dave Almand kept his hand stiffly at his side (only the second time in my life that has ever happened—the other one was at 1 PM earlier in the day.) He said “not until you resign—something you should do right now.” Again he “went off” on the Unity Slate—this time ending his comments with “you are all just a bunch of racists.” He also said I was making life tough for Cathy—I ask “Cathy, have I made life tough for you—was today tough for you?” She didn’t answer. Instead Cathy and Dave walked away. I turned to Jaron and asked if he” thought we (or me) was a racist?” He said “no you’re not a racist—"but I don’t think you represent the entire graduate community either.” I gave a similar answer as earlier—“well we represent a majority of grads who cared enough to vote.” Jaron told me I couldn’t think like that and posed a hypothetical. “Do you think someone who doesn’t vote for say “President” doesn’t care about America?” I answered “to a certain extent, as voting is our most sacred right as a citizen—someone who chooses not to vote is not participating in one’s duty as a citizen.” Jaron said—“well see, we both can have our different opinions and discuss issues and still get along.” I responded favorably—“sure can.”
I confirm the above is accurate to the best of my recollection.
Signed Digitally
Original signed available upon request
ROBERT D BISHOP JR, Lt Gen USAF (Ret)
AOG Board of Director
