Twenty-nine awarded CCAF degrees Published May 19, 2013 By Capt Penny Carroll 127th Public Affairs SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Twenty-nine Community College of the Air Force graduates received their diplomas here today with family members and friends, peers and supervisors watching to honor their achievements. The Community College of the Air Force degree is an associate degree of applied science available to enlisted airmen in their specific Air Force job specialty. The degree is earned from a combination of technical training, professional military education, and civilian sources. Two members earned degrees for more than one career field. Michigan Air National Guard's Command Chief Master Sergeant David Eddy provided the keynote address to the graduates reminding Airmen that, "the CCAF degree is a credential establishing our credibility to do our jobs and do them well." He also encouraged the graduates to "give it the gas! Keep going, keep achieving, and keep striving." The Community College of the Air Force concept evolved in the early 1970s as a way to recognize Air Force training achievements. The need became apparent to enhance the skills of noncommissioned officers as technicians, leaders and citizens. In November 1971, General John D. Ryan, Air Force Chief of Staff, approved the establishment of the CCAF. It then went before the Secretary of the Air Force, who on January 25, 1972, approved the activation plan and the college was established on April 1, 1972 at Randolph AFB, Texas. This year's 127th Wing graduates are: Financial Management SMSgt Russell Childs MSgt Heather Manor SSgt Merushjola Adkins Aviation Maintenance Technology SMSgt Thomas Selon MSgt David Bowers MSgt Pedro Torres TSgt Michael Ginzel Avionic Systems Technology TSgt Ashanti Curtis Human Resource Management CMSgt Gary Fantauzzo MSgt Annette Holt TSgt Jennifer Lopez Aircraft Armament Systems Technology TSgt Michael Finn Criminal Justice MSgt Martin Genter MSgt Daniel Klik TSgt Jamie Kincade TSgt Janice Stockett SSgt Grant Kumfer SSgt Garrett Fisher SRA Richard Malik Communications Applications Technology SSgt Natasha Gieraltowski Munitions Systems Technology TSgt Louis Jones Muni SSgt Vanessa Rudolph SSgt Jessica Homann Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technology TSgt Louis Jones Muni Logistics SMSgt Jeanne Robinson SSgt Ernest Martinez Aviation Maintenance Technology SSgt Ernest Martinez Education and Training MSgt Jutta Parks Information Management TSgt Rosario Recchia SSgt Melissa Siegler I Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology SSgt Adam Vermeersch