Degrees awarded by CCAF Published June 18, 2018 By Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Twenty-seven service members received their Community College of the Air Force Degrees during a graduation ceremony at the Base Theater June 15. The CCAF degree is the Air Force’s equivalent to an associate degree. Chief Master Sgt. Jason Funkhauser, 315th Training Squadron chief enlisted manager, opened the ceremony with a speech to the graduates. “Whether you realize it or not, this is a pretty big accomplishment,” said Funkhauser. “Some of you may know, but some of you may not know the Air Force is the only service in the [Department of Defense] that offers a degree to its enlisted members. This proves how much the Air Force invests in its enlisted force and how much it values an educated force. Keep working on your education, strive for knowledge and definitely lead the way for your peers.” After the speech, each graduate went on stage to get their diploma and two individuals also received awards. The Air Force Association Pitsenbarger Award is a one-time grant of $400 provided to selected top Air Force enlisted personnel graduating from the CCAF who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree. It recognizes the students’ activities that indicate excellent leadership, citizenship, teamwork, community service, personal development and dedication. This year’s recipient was Staff Sgt. Yamato Hart, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management journeyman. After retiring July 1984, Col. Charles Powell, former 17th Training Wing commander, and his wife, wanted to give back to the Air Force, so they decided to give a cash reward to a CCAF graduate. For 22 years Powell has presented the Powell Warrior Award, a $500 grant to honor CCAF graduates who have displayed the highest degree of professional military excellence. Senior Airman Jacob Letson, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering technician, received this year’s Powell Warrior Award. Col. Alex Ganster, 17th Training Group commander, finished off the ceremony with closing remarks. “The wonderful thing about our country is the greatest advantage that we have and will always have is represented right here in all of you,” said Ganster. “Our enlisted core is the best in the world. That is why we will always succeed and I’m extremely proud to serve alongside of you.” Goodfellow CCAF graduates are: 17th Training Wing Staff: Staff Sgt. Andrew Habiballah Staff Sgt. Christopher Hickman 17th Civil Engineer Squadron: Staff Sgt. Yamato Hart Tech. Sgt. Derek Larsen Senior Airman Jacob Letson 17th Communications Squadron: Staff Sgt. Shane Silberberger Staff Sgt. Joshua Yopp 17th Contracting Squadron: Airman 1st Class Matthew McDonald 17th Force Support Squadron: Master Sgt. Johnny Baker Senior Airman Cleofe Jensen Senior Airman Akoshua Nuamah Solon 17th Logistics Readiness Squadron: Senior Airman Ashley Louis 17th Security Forces Squadron: Senior Airman Johnathan Vetter 17th Training Support Squadron: Senior Airman Andrew Noble 312th Training Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Anderson Staff Sgt. Preston Castillo 315th Training Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Joshua Brown Tech. Sgt. Xavier Crox Staff Sgt. Quinten Olson Tech. Sgt. Joshua Warr 316th Training Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Jordan Andrews Master Sgt. Mayra Cortesramos Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Davis Master Sgt. Benjamin Isenberg Staff Sgt. Kyle Pomfret Staff Sgt. Ryne Smith Marine Corps Detachment: Staff Sgt. Randall Graville
