The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is a federal program offered by the United States Air Force which grants two year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in association with Air University. The CCAF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through Air University. In the early 1970s, the Air Force decided to attempt to gain accreditation and recognition for Air Force training programs. Representatives of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Air University, and the United States Air Force Academy held numerous conferences in 1971 to discuss increased training for Air Force non-commissioned officers (NCOs). These conferences, in turn, recommended the foundation of an Air Force community college. On November 9, 1971, Gen John D. Ryan, Air Force Chief of Staff, approved the establishment of the Community College of the Air Force. The Secretary of the Air Force approved the plan January 25, 1972, and the college was officially established on April 1, 1972, at Randolph AFB, TX. Until the mid-1970s, the CCAF offered only certificate programs.