(Photo by USO Okinawa)
For the past 83 years, the USO has proudly supported service members and their families worldwide during their time in the military. That same proud and steadfast commitment to America’s military members extends to USO Okinawa as they recently celebrated ongoing support efforts at a passenger center on Kadena Air Base with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Efforts to enhance the Kadena Air Base support center began in late 2023 when USO Okinawa was alerted to high numbers of service members waiting extended periods for outbound transportation with little activity. Knowing and understanding support in some form was essential to ease the waiting time, USO Okinawa began working closely with upper levels of USO leadership to provide gaming systems, hydration, and snacks, securing several amenities via the USO2GO program, a program designed to bring the amenities and comforts of a USO center to service members in remote locations where the USO cannot physically construct a center. The USO also provided a small gym for service members to work out. In 2024, the project adopted a new name, “End-to-End Deployment Support.”
“Once we were notified how many service members were waiting for flights each year, we knew we needed some support in this KSPAN structure. The KSPAN keeps the service members out of the elements, but there is little for them to do while waiting for their flight. This type of support is like what our stateside USO centers provide in airports. We thought supporting them was the right thing to do,” said USO Okinawa Area Director Phil Van Etten.
(Photo by USO Okinawa)
Many factors, including Wi-Fi connectivity, were considered to create this comfortable space, stocked with snacks/hydration and gaming equipment. As a passenger center supporting large numbers of service members, it was essential for Wi-Fi installation so service members could communicate with loved ones as many are preparing for the return journey home to their families and upcoming missions. USO Platinum Sponsor, Mediatti Broadband Communications (MBC), answered the call, installed Wi-Fi, and ensured a solid connection to support the large numbers of passengers.
“This was really a no-brainer and something easy for us to do. I often tell my team that we are here to make living and serving overseas easier for our service members and their families. If we can do that via Wi-Fi connectivity, then that is what we will do,” remarked MBC President and CEO Keith Kirkman. “I have children of my own, and I know if I were in the shoes of a service member’s parent, that Facetime call before flying out to a mission or back home would be a comforting and reassuring call. We are delighted to be able to provide the means where service members do not deplete their cellular data and can connect to our network and make those calls home or even stream a show before taking off.”
As many passengers pass through the center, having a fully stocked pantry, coffee bar, and soft drinks is essential. The stateside-based Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) reached out to USO Okinawa to assist in this project, with donations sent from members of the DAR across the United States. The Forgotten Soldiers Outreach also heard about this need and is pledging to send monthly donations to help distribute snacks and drinks.
USO Okinawa and 3d Landing Support Battalion hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate support efforts, welcoming various military leaders, USO sponsors, and leadership. The celebration began with opening remarks from Lieutenant Colonel Justin Hooker, Commanding Officer of 3d Landing Support Battalion, followed by an address from J. Phil VanEtten, Area Director of USO Okinawa, and closing remarks from Brigadier General Adam Chalkley, Commanding General of 3d Marine Logistics Group.
(Photo by USO Okinawa)
“3d Landing Support Battalion provides transportation and throughout support to all of III Marine Expeditionary Force—to include running passenger and cargo flights out of Kadena Air Base,” shared the Commanding Officer of 3d Landing Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Hooker. “Before mid-2023, III MEF Marines and Sailors were processed in the elements at a cargo facility adjacent to the flight line, regardless of the weather condition. This had been the case for several years.” “Recognizing this shortfall,” Lieutenant Colonel Hooker continued, “3d Landing Support Battalion worked with the U.S. Air Force’s 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron to acquire a facility that used to belong to III MEF but was used as a storage facility by the Air Force. After gaining permanent access to the space, 3d LSB’s K5 Right team began a deliberate process and facilities improvement program to better the experience of Marines and Sailors traveling into and out of Kadena. Marines depart this area for exercises in the Indo-Pacific, to return home to the U.S. after a deployment, and for other missions across the First Island Chain. As part of our work to improve their experience as they’re awaiting transportation, we contacted the USO to inquire about support. The USO Okinawa team exceeded all expectations, and we are exceptionally grateful for the quality-of-life improvements they’ve made that will impact the thousands of personnel who flow through this center each year.”
USO Okinawa serves over 300,000 service members and their families annually through engaging programs, the utilization of our six centers on the island, and outreach support efforts, such as the Kadena Air Base passenger support center. “This is a special project for our USO Okinawa team,” said Meghann Blochowski, USO Okinawa Area Programs Manager. “Our mission is to strengthen the well-being of people serving in America’s military and their families, and this project is evidence of how USO is here for service members, no matter the situation or location. If we can provide some center-like comforts while they wait for their next exercise, deployment, or long-awaited journey home, then that’s what we will do.” Since February 2024, USO Okinawa and 3d Landing Support Battalion has supported over 3,000 service members in and out of the passenger center.
For more information on USO Okinawa and the End-to-End Deployment support project, please visit okinawa.uso.org or find them on Facebook at USO Okinawa.
