Junior officers participate in Air Force Association Convention in D.C.; gain insight for future projects

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Justin Brockhoff
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Malmstrom Company Grade Officers' Association visited Washington D.C., Oct. 25 to 29, to attend the Air Force Association Convention. The visit, a five-day trip for professional development, served as a reward for the CGOA for being the 'Best in the West' in 2006. 

Ten company-grade officers and one field-grade officer took the trip. The group attended numerous events for the AFA Convention throughout the week, including opportunities to meet Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, and Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of Air Force Space Command. The group also took the opportunity to tour D.C. hot spots, including the Pentagon, Capitol building and the White House. 

"This trip enabled us to see how our positions fit into the larger picture of the Air Force," said 2nd Lt. Melissa Harris, a section commander with the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron. "It also gave us the chance to interact with some senior political and military leaders to simultaneously affect our viewpoints - and maybe even theirs." 

The Malmstrom CGOA has continually taken steps to go above-and-beyond the call of duty, a big reason they were rewarded with this trip, according to 1st Lt. Hanif Flood, president of the Malmstrom CGOA. 

"We've instituted a lot of new programs including the Leadership, Education, and Development, or L.E.A.D, series, where guest speakers and senior military leaders are brought in to give briefings on leadership that will help to shape young officers" according to Lieutenant Flood. "We also spearheaded and managed the biggest CGOA service project to date on behalf of the 341st Space Wing by helping to arrange and host the 2006 Montana State Special Olympics." 

The trip not only served as a reward for events already completed, but it also is helping to pave the way for the future of the Malmstrom CGOA. 

"This trip benefits our CGOA because it gave us the opportunity to see the Air Force big picture," added Lieutenant Flood. "By being able to listen to General Moseley, talk about the service's future, and learn about his top priorities for the force, we're able to shape our programs to help with those changes." 

The future is something the Malmstrom CGOA is already taking into consideration.
"We're already looking at community service projects like the Thanksgiving food drive coming up in November, a Christmas Toys for Tots campaign and other various volunteer efforts," added Lieutenant Flood. 

For more information on the Malmstrom CGOA or to get involved, contact 1st Lt. Hanif Flood at hanif.flood@malmstrom.af.mil.