Accepting a diploma as the 400,000th Airman to receive a degree from the Community College of the Air Force is Senior Airman Emily Barchenger. The Honorable Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force, presented the diploma and was joined by (R to L) AFA Central Florida Chapter President Michael Liquori, Community College of the Air Force Commandant Lt Col Jonathan T. Hamill, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III, and Air Force Gala Chairman Tim Brock. (Courtesy photo)

Ellsworth Airman marks 400,000th CCAF

27 Feb 2013 |

ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) -- For most people, a walk across the stage to accept a degree is the reward for the hard work involved. For a young Airman stationed in South Dakota, the reward was just a bit more spectacular.

Senior Airman Emily Barchenger, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., received her associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force presented by Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley during the Air Force Association's Gala banquet in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 21.

The degree was the 400,000th presented by the Community College of the Air Force since its inception in 1972. Barchenger earned a degree in intelligence studies and technology while she was deployed with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia.