Wright-Patt recognizes 52 CCAF graduates Published June 21, 2024 By Daniel Peterson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Sixteen Airmen walked across the stage to accept their diplomas from the Community College of the Air Force at the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Kenney Auditorium, June 13. A total of 52 Wright-Patt Airmen earned an associate degree in their respective career field degree programs for the spring 2024 semester. Lt. Col. Thomas Talafuse, CCAF commandant and commander, congratulated the newest graduates by commending them on achieving this milestone in their careers. “A lot of people know that CCAF stands for Community College of the Air Force, but it means much more than that,” Talafuse said. “To the professional Airman, CCAF stands for competence, commitment, and focus.” “It reflects a higher level of competence in your Air Force specialty code,” he said. “It exemplifies a commitment to your own professional development and requires focus in its pursuit.” Lt. Col. Thomas Talafuse, Community College of the Air Force commandant and commander, gives the commencement address during a CCAF graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 13, 2024. Talafuse congratulated the graduates on their competence, commitment, and focus in achieving this career and personal milestone. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Talafuse advocated for seeking out continued educational opportunities. “Continued learning is essential for your success, particularly one in the Air Force,” Talafuse said. “President John. F. Kennedy said leadership and learning are indispensable to one another. The connection between learning and leadership development prepares you for the next phase of your educational journey and future.” Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88th Air Base Wing command chief, attended her first ceremony since stepping into the position two days prior. She encouraged the graduates to take pride in their accomplishment. “You are not issued a CCAF degree,” Fontaine said. “You have to take ownership, you have to show some commitment, some motivation and finish it on your own.” Regardless of what path you choose, you should be absolutely proud of your accomplishment and know that people will look at that and see you have that potential. CMSgt Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief “Aptitude is something that is looked at by your peers and leadership, to show potential for you to continue to lead in our Air Force, or potential to take that experience and education, which we value, and go do something great in our society,” she said. “Regardless of what path you choose, you should be absolutely proud of your accomplishment and know that people will look at that and see you have that potential.” Col. Dustin Richards, 88 ABW and installation commander, praised the graduating class and emphasized their role in the great power competition. “It’s events like today, with the collective knowledge that you all now possess and can bring together that really have our adversaries quaking in their boots, because our adversaries are not doing this,” he said. “When you take part in programs like this, you’re learning ways to be better leaders, better coworkers, better assets for the nation, and part of that defense that we will be able to rely on.” Richards concluded the event by thanking the graduates and encouraging them to continue growing. “Thank you for what you have done thus far. Use this as a steppingstone, whatever that means for you, and further your education,” he said. “Don’t ever stop or slow down because it will make you a better person, it will make you a better Airman, and make you a better citizen.” Below is the list of graduates and their degrees: AEROSPACE PHYSIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Trevor West AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Michael Burton Staff Sgt. Daniel O’Connor AIRCREW SAFETY SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Anthony Carvalho AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Jared Slaton AVIONIC SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Master Sgt. David Primmer Tech. Sgt. Wesley Hoover BIOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Jose Chavez-Reyes Staff Sgt. Jackson Gordon CRIMINAL JUSTICE Master Sgt. Michael Brice Tech. Sgt. John Clark Tech. Sgt. Jesse Runyon Staff Sgt. Matthew Hopkins Staff Sgt. Zackery Leist Staff Sgt. Kerestynn McDowell Staff Sgt. Moziah Mitchell ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Tech. Sgt. Allen Potter Staff Sgt. Dolton Wood MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Senior Airman Farrah Lockwood METEROLOGY Tech. Sgt. Morgan Di Vitale PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Joshua Moya PRACTICAL NURSING TECHNOLOGY Master Sgt. Thomas Kent Staff Sgt. Robert Perry Staff Sgt. Gwendolyn Saunders PUBLIC HEALTH TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Jessica Beach Staff Sgt. Andre De Leon Staff Sgt. Austin Spitzer Staff Sgt. Ashley Spitzer Staff Sgt. Amber Waugh SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jarvis Senior Airman Christian Hamblen Senior Airman Ethan Potter SURGICAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY Staff Sgt. Edward Barrett HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Staff Sgt. Jalen DeMaria INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Staff Sgt. Jocelyn Chapman Staff Sgt. Kaylee Ramos Staff Sgt. Kameron Thayne INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Staff Sgt. Marcotte Morgan INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Senior Airman Sabrina Lingle Senior Airman Sergio Santelli Airman 1st Class Jaasiel Chocoteco Airman 1st Class Michael Le Airman 1st Class Christopher Shorter INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS Sgt. Ashlyn Cornelius Staff Sgt. Jourdan Forrester Senior Airman Michael Frewin Senior Airman Daisha McBath INTELLIGENCE STUDIES AND TECHNOLOGY Master Sgt. Jonathan Spenceley Sgt Brandon Roques Staff Sgt. Jocee Kindred Staff Sgt. Keenan Knop Staff Sgt. Cheyne Roth