Osan hosts 1st Annual PACAF CGOC Conference

  • Published
  • By Capt. Malinda Singleton
  • 51 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Sixty-six company grade officers from seven bases around PACAF gathered here June 22-24 to participate in the First Annual PACAF CGOC Conference.

The conference, "Warfighting in a joint and coalition environment" brought 14 AFSCs together to learn and discuss the Air Force's role in the joint fight here in the Republic of Korea.

"The goal of the conference was to allow us to learn about interoperability in the joint fights that many members of the Air Force are currently in," said Capt. Gabriel Young, Osan CGOC President. "It also gave many of us a new perspective on what other services and coalition forces can bring to the fight."

The three day conference included briefings and discussions by Seventh Air Force leadership, The Republic of Korea Air Force, Special Operations Command Korea, and United States Forces Korea. There were also discussion panels with Air Force chief master sergeants, and other service company grade officers.

It also gave visiting CGOs from other bases around PACAF the opportunity to experience a bit of Korean culture with a trip that was hosted by the Korea Good Neighbor Foundation. The day trip included a trip Seoul to visit the Korean War Memorial, dinner and an evening performance.

"I enjoyed being able to see the War Memorial and the other cultural excursions that were planned for us, especially the 'Jump' martial arts show," said Capt. Karen Chisholm, PACAF CGOC Representative, who flew in from Kadena AB in Japan to lead the conference. "However, the highlight for me was the trip to the DMZ. I didn't realize the true tension that existed on the peninsula until we went there."

Many CGOs within PACAF were not able to attend the annual CGOC conference that was held in May at Langley AFB. Therefore, the decision was made by PACAF CGOC leadership to try and hold a similar conference. Captain Young and the entire the CGOC council here at Osan volunteered to be the host with support from Seventh Air Force and 51st Fighter Wing Leadership.

"I consider the conference to be a success and I look forward to next year's. Osan did a great job of putting the event together" continued Captain Chisholm. "Planning for next year's PACAF CGOC conference is currently under way. The goal is to hold it around the same time next year and double the participation. We are excited for next year's conference which will be held at Yokota AB, Japan."