The U.S. and New Jersey flags were flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities across New Jersey on Thursday, December 3, 2020, in honor of Capt. Kelliann (Seaman) Leli, USAFA Class of 2012, who passed away Nov. 27 in a non-combat-related vehicle incident while on active duty at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

 

At the time of her death, Leli was with the 60th Healthcare Operations Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California. She was on the staff of the Family Medicine Clinic at David Grant USAF Medical Center since June 2016.

 

Leli was on her first deployment and was assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. Leli was deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

 

She was married to Capt. Jimmy Leli, Class of 2011, a KC-10 Extender pilot in the 6th Aerial Refueling Squadron at Travis.

 

Many of Kelliann’s classmates were shocked by the news of her death. A few folks who knew her well shared their memories of a cadet and Air Force officer who always exuded an aura of joy.

 

Kelliann (Seaman) Leli was a member of the Falconry Club during her time at the Academy. The other Class of 2012 falconry members at that time were Capt. Yagie Janisch, Capt. Jenny (Flynn) Greer and Capt. Michael O'Kelley.

 

“Kelli was a rockstar on the Falconry Team,” O’Kelley remembers. “She had a contagious happiness that always brought up the spirit of the team. In fact, I can’t think of a single time she wasn’t smiling.”

 

He recalls Kelliann’s unofficial falconry team role of getting everyone to the van in order to beat the inevitable traffic jam.

 

“One of the team’s greatest enemies is traffic leaving Falcon Stadium after football games,” he recalls. “We had to lug our gear across the stadium with one hand while carrying a bird on the other. If we didn’t hurry, we could get stuck behind the crowds … and we still had to feed the birds after we got back. My most vivid memory of Kelli is her cheering us on as we loaded the van like we had just robbed a bank.”

 

If O'Kelley had to describe Leli in one word, he suggested it would be “joy.”

 

“If I had two words — blunt joy,” he said. “Kelli wasn't afraid to speak what we all were thinking, but she always said it with a smile.”

 

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Don Rhymer ’95 was officer in charge of the falconry program from 2010-17, when Kelliann was a cadet. He said all the seniors for the Class of 2012 — Kelliann, Yagie, Jennifer and Michael — were super close.

 

“Kellie brought great joy to the team as she was never down and usually smiling,” he emphasized. “She was incredibly winsome in her public affairs role that all falconers are expected to fulfill. She was especially gifted at endearing herself to kids.”

 

He called Kelliann “a tremendous ambassador” for the Air Force and the falconry team.

 

“The Academy Master Falconer, Sam Dollar, and I grieve her passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Jimmy, her extended family, and all those from Travis AFB and the 380th AEW,” he added.