VAFB Company Grade Officer Council selected as Air Force CGOC of the Quarter

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ellie Constantine
  • 614th Air Operations Center
The Vandenberg Company Grade Officer's Council was recently named the Air Force's Top CGOC of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2015.

In addition to securing this award, Capt. Brian Pitman, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, was selected as the Western Region's CGO of the 2nd Quarter, 2015.

Pitman was selected from more than 4,500 CGOs across the Western Region and the Vandenberg CGOC bested 91 CGOC organizations Air Force wide.  The Western region spans 39 Air Force Bases ranging from Louisiana, North Dakota, California and Washington.

In a letter to the VAFB CGOC, Maj. Gen. Robert McMurry, senior advisor to the Western Region CGOC, stated "I am impressed with the incredible performance your team has demonstrated. Your CGOC should be very proud of this recognition."

There were many contributions and events that led to this win. The Vandenberg CGOC led nine professional development events, devoted more than 135 volunteer hours to the community, donated $1,500 and helped fundraise more than $1,000 towards the Annual Awards Banquet.

"Our team has dedicated a tremendous amount of effort toward making the base and the CGO corps better," said Capt. Kelson Nisbett, president of the Vandenberg CGOC. "We have so many great things in store."

The highlights of this quarter's events, led by Pitman, were the CGOC's professional development activities. The Vandenberg CGOC presented movie screenings from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Movie List to the entire base for all ranks to view, which has been labeled a best practice for all base CGOCs to follow. In addition to these activities, the CGOC initiated a local leadership program where CGOs obtained insight into how local industries are run. The intent is to absorb the best business practices from the commercial industry and implement them in base units where applicable.

The Vandenberg CGOC is a non-profit private organization comprised of lieutenants and captains who maintain an informational network to enhance professional development and bolster esprit de corps. 

The council is continually increasing their impact and influence by networking with other base organizations. The council is currently developing a Vandenberg Cookbook which will feature original recipes from base personnel. Funds raised from the cookbook will support the assembly of care packages for deployed members of the VAFB Community, provide scholarships to Airmen, and promote other charitable causes throughout the year. For information about this event or if you have questions about this organization, contact the CGOC at vafb.cgoc@gmail.com.

For more information on Vandenberg's CGOC or to learn how to become a member, attend a monthly Vandenberg CGOC meeting. Meetings are at 11:30 a.m. every first Thursday at the Pacific Coast Club. Those interested can also e-mail Vandenberg.cgoc@us.af.mil.