DULUTH, Minn. -- The 148th Fighter Wing celebrates graduates who earned a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) degree in 2020. With the challenges of 2020 it would have been easy for Airmen to make an excuse not to further their education, yet 26 148th Fighter Wing Bulldogs forged forward and completed their CCAF degree.
The Community College of the Air Force is a federally-chartered academic institution that serves the United States Air and Space Force’s enlisted total force. The Community College of the Air Force is the world’s largest community college system, serving approximately 270,000 active, guard, and reserve enlisted personnel.
“Achieving a degree from the Community College of the Air Force is a great accomplishment in an Airman’s professional and personal development. Not only does it open up promotion opportunities in the Air National Guard, but the degree also broadens their educational background and can help further their civilian careers,” said Col Lyle Shidla, 148th Mission Support Group Commander.
“I completed my CCAF degree because I felt that, as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the State of Minnesota, I needed to set the example for all Airmen to follow,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Rukavina who completed his Associates of Applied Science in Aircraft Armament Systems Technology. Rukavina added “It is important to continually develop ourselves, no matter what stage or position we are in our career. It was difficult to take the initial step to enroll, but I feel really proud to accomplish my degree.”
Congratulations to the following personnel for earning an Associate of Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force:
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Armstrong – Human Resources Management
Master Sgt. Anthony Bartlett – Medical and Electrical Technology
Staff Sgt. Charles Burns – Aviation Maintenance Technology
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Carollo – Information Systems Technology
Master Sgt. Brian Clancey – Aircraft Armament Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Alexander Davis – Emergency Management
Master Sgt. Kelley Ender – Information Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Nichole Goplin – Public Health Technology
Master Sgt. Anna Graves – Logistics
Tech. Sgt. Mark Halvorson – Fire Science
Master Sgt. Sterling Hartwick – Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Dwight Hebert – Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology
Staff Sgt. Alex Heskin – Aviation Maintenance Technology
Master Sgt. Mark Hilleren – Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Tech. Sgt. Phillip Jalovick – Aviation Maintenance Technology
Tech. Sgt. Bryan Johnson – Munitions Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Jacob Johnson - Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology
Tech. Sgt. Danielle Lefave - Munitions Systems Technology
Master Sgt. Rachel Micken – Health Care Management
Master Sgt. Paul Nelson - Aviation Maintenance Technology
Senior Master Sgt. Jamey Nord – Emergency Management
Chief Master Sgt. Mark Rukavina – Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Master Sgt. Chelsey Smith – Medical Laboratory Technology
Master Sgt. Jennifer Starken - Aircraft Armament Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Amber Weis – Munitions Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wing – Construction Technology