The Department of the Air Force announced the Company Grade Officers’ Council 2023 annual award winners on March 21, 2024.

The Yokota Air Base CGOC earned 2023 Council of the Year after competing against approximately 100 other CGOCs across the Department of the Air Force.

Yokota’s CGOC is a bilateral committee comprised of junior officers from the U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Capt. Nathaniel Freeman, the council’s JASDF liaison also won the 2023 Leader of the Year award.

“This past year I’ve focused on integrating members of JASDF into our CGOC,” said Freeman, 374th Airlift Wing judge advocate chief of operations and international law. “Together we brainstormed various activities that would help bring USAF and JASDF officers together and build a more cohesive partnership. This entire project wouldn’t have been possible without their efforts and collaboration, and I feel very fortunate that our paths came together.”

To continue innovation and sustain excellence, Freeman plans to continue fostering the partnership with the JASDF.

“I’m hoping to find new ways to have meaningful engagements with off-base organizations, including volunteer opportunities. I’m in the early stages of planning some other combined events as well,” he said. “My greatest hope is that the foundation of friendship we’ve built with JASDF members will continue to grow for many years ahead.”

Freeman was nominated by his CGOC peer and former president, 1st Lieutenant Kauryn Karmazinas, 374th Mission Support Group executive officer. The winners from each of the geographic regions were determined by a panel comprised of DAF CGOC leaders.

“Nate delivered the utmost enthusiasm and consistency. Over the course of 2023, Nate affirmed the JASDF liaison role as a future norm for the Yokota CGOC, and played an integral role in our entire community, by establishing intentional collaboration with our local national peers,” Karmazinas said. “His willingness to bring innovative ideas to the table and find ways to yes has positively influenced the cultural and professional worldview of 300 Yokota Air Base CGOs, thus making our corps, base community, and USAF stronger.”

The Yokota CGOC2023 accomplishments stood out for their exceptional achievements in professional development, community service, fundraising, base support, recruiting and retention, and social activities.

The council hosted 119 activities, totaling over 80 combined hours, which raised 3,000 dollars.

Funds raised were used for networking and professional development events and were poured back into the base community through donations for events like “Trunk-or-Treat” and the 374th Airlift Wing’s Annual Awards ceremony.

The council also volunteered members to support US-Japan outreach events, including the annual Kanto Plain Special Olympics, and recruitment efforts at the Department of Defense Education Activity Yokota High School College Fair.

The Department of the Air Force Company Grade Officers’ Council (DAFCGOC) is an organization that represents more than 47,000 junior military officers of the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Space Force.