Leap assumes command of CCAF

Lt. Col. Nathan Leap assumed command of the Community College of the Air Force during a change of command ceremony at the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, June 19, 2015. Leap assumed command of CCAF from Lt. Col. Michael Artelli. (US Air Force photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox/Released)

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Leap assumes command of CCAF

Published June 30, 2015
By Senior Airman William J. Blankenship
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Community College of the Air Force welcomed its new commander at Maxwell Air Force Base, June 19, 2015.

Lt. Col. Nathan Leap assumed command from Lt. Col. Michael Artelli, who spearheaded the world's only degree-granting institution for enlisted personnel since July 2013.

During Artelli's time as commander, CCAF has had record-breaking number of graduates in 2014, the largest spring graduating class in 2015, launched the Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program, and graduated eight of 10 wounded warriors post separation.

"We have outstanding leadership here," said Artelli. "It has been an honor to work here. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of CCAF. The school has achieved so many great milestones, and I believe it will continue to thrive under Colonel Leap's leadership."

His successor, Leap, was commissioned at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999. He earned a master's degree and doctorate from the Air Force Institute of Technologyand is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. His previous assignment was the operational assessment team chief in the 603rd Air Operation Center at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"What an honor and privilege it is to become part of the Community College of the Air Force," said Leap. "I am really happy to be back in Air Education and Training Command and especially part of Air University. I am absolutely humbled by the opportunity to take the reins of CCAF. There is no organization that I would rather command. It is hard to imagine an organization that has a wider impact across the Air Force than this one. I am so excited to be a part of this organization."

Chief Master Sgt. Andrew T. Hollis, CCAF vice commandant, said that commanding CCAF will test Leap's leadership skills as he leads the school during a time where Air University is transforming the way it educates.

"He is coming at a time where we are in the curve of transition, but I have no doubt that we are going to perform well," said Hollis. "Serving at CCAF is a leadership test because our products and services are higher in demand than ever, and it has been a struggle to keep up with the demand. We've been in transition before and we will come out better for it."