VAFB sweeps western region CGOC awards
By Captain Ellie Constantine, 614th Air Operations Center
/ Published May 08, 2015
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Vandenberg Company Grade Officer's Council was recently selected as the Western Region CGOC for the first quarter of 2015.
In addition to securing this CGOC Award, 2nd Lt. Casey Gomez, 2nd Range Operations Squadron, was selected as the Western Region's CGO of the first quarter, 2015 for her outstanding contributions and accomplishments on and off duty.
The Vandenberg CGOC competed against CGO organizations across 39 bases in the Western Region. With elections held in January 2015, the Vandenberg CGOC executed eight professional development events, devoted more than 200 volunteer hours to the community, donated $650 and helped fundraise more than $1,500 toward the annual awards banquet.
There were three key contributions securing this award.
First, the CGOs partnered with a retired Navy captain and credentialed psychologist to create an officer's communication course. This course focused on verbal and nonverbal communication during counseling.
Secondly, the Vandenberg CGOC hosted San Diego State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment and provided real world perspective to cadets.
Lastly, CGOC was a key sponsor of the Adopt-A-Highway program. CGOs collected more than 400 pounds of trash across seven miles of highway along the base this quarter.
Another key contribution toward this award was the CGOC's social events. The CGOC executed five different social events. One of these events involved wine tasting and a group gathering on the beach. These events enhanced networking and peer-to-peer relations.
"It's pretty amazing the way the team has hit the ground running," said Capt. Kelson Nisbett, Vandenberg CGOC president. "I'm truly humbled by our CGOC award win. However, I'm twice as excited by Lt. Gomez's award win. She is our social chair and really hit the ground running."
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 to raise money for charities, provide scholarships to Airmen and promote base and local community service.
The Council is sponsoring a golf tournament July 24, at the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course. Funds raised from this event will support assembly of care packages for deployed members of the VAFB community as well as other charitable causes throughout the year.
For more information on Vandenberg's CGOC or how to become a member, attend a monthly Vandenberg CGOC meeting. Meetings are 11:30 a.m. the first Thursday at the Pacific Coast Club. Interested persons can also e-mail vandenbergcgoc@us.af.mil.