MBC, Okinawa’s on-base internet and cable TV provider, awards USO Okinawa $1.3 Million

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Kadena Air Base, OKINAWA, Japan - MBC, the on-base Internet and HD cable TV provider, presented USO Okinawa a major contribution for the eighth year in a row. Keith Kirkman, President / CEO, presented a check for $30,000 to USO Okinawa Area Director, Phil VanEtten. VanEtten recapped the highlights of MBC’s commitment to the USO which totals over $1.3 million over the years.

“On behalf of the USO Okinawa staff and our service members and families, I want to thank you for our continued relationship and thank you for being a great sponsor,” VanEtten said at the check presentation ceremony. “If I could borrow and modify a famous quote from President Reagan, then I’d say ‘some organizations spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But MBC does not have that problem. Every day, 365 days a year for the last eight years, MBC has provided our service members and their families with HD television and high-speed internet in each of our six centers.

“MBC truly helps the USO connect our service members and their families with the things that matter the most to them,” VanEtten said. “They serve our great nation in order to protect and defend family, home and country. Therefore, it is critical that we keep them connected. We do what we do across the Indo-pacific region because of what companies like MBC and the support the American people provide.”

USO leaders enjoyed a reception hosted at the MBC offices on Kadena Air Base on February 16, 2022, where Kirkman gave tours of the MBC network operations center. He also explained to the USO staff MBC’s appreciation and commitment to the USO and those it serves.

“Writing a check is easy. What the USO Okinawa team and its volunteers do every single day to develop and implement innovative programming to positively impact the thousands of lives you touch with your energy and passion is the hard work,” Kirkman said. “It’s a great pleasure for us to come alongside you. At MBC, we are committed to connecting people to family, friends, information, and entertainment through our Internet and Cable TV products. The USO connects people to home, country, and family. Our missions and our objectives are in close alignment which makes the partnership so valuable for us. Sincerely, on behalf of our MBC team, thank you, to you and your team for everything that you do. We can make technology possible, but the USO team are the ones that really connect to people.”

MBC provides all six USO centers with the fastest internet connection available (up to 10 Gbps), as well as full HD Cable TV packages, and a dedicated MBC technician. These MBC services are provided free of charge to support the USO and MBC’s mission of connecting service members to friends, family, entertainment, home, and country.

Fast, reliable internet is available to USO patrons, allowing service members and their families to connect with their personal devices or to hop on a USO provided computer to complete an assignment or training.

“Being connected to family and friends back home has never been more important than it is today,” VanEtten said. “It’s our duty and honor to keep those ties to home strong during this state of emergency. It brings our staff great joy every day as they see service members enjoying our center amenities: large screen TVs, gaming units, comfortable seating, and internet. We love that we can help them relax, enjoy fantastic entertainment and connect to home every day.”

This MBC high speed connectivity is also a necessity in hosting virtual events. USO Okinawa has hosted many virtual events and gaming events due to the pandemic and relied on MBC to provide that connection. USO Okinawa has hosted interviews with the Cobra Kai team, Clint Black, Norman Reedus and Drew Carey. In addition, the USO to continued to offer expectant mothers the opportunity to meet best-selling author, Heidi Murkoff, who authored the “What to Expect” book series. The virtual baby showers, sponsored by Johnson and Johnson and Murkoff, continued for the eighth consecutive year because of this sponsorship. USO virtual gaming tournaments also brought service members together online during the times in-person events were challenging.

“We are very proud of what’s happened at USO Okinawa during the pandemic,” VanEtten said “People have leaned on MBC and the USO, probably more than ever, to remain connected. We are proud of what we’ve done together.”

MBC and USO Okinawa also announced a renewal of the MBC sponsorship through calendar year 2025. USO Okinawa and MBC leadership said they look forward to continuing their partnership in supporting the U.S. military members and families stationed in Okinawa.

Both USO and MBC have locations across the island to serve you.

To learn more about services provided by MBC go to the website.

To find out more about the USO centers why not try the USO Mobile App, a great resource for service members and their families to find locations, programs, and quickly check in to centers. Or you can click on Okinawa.USO.Org or follow the USO on Instagram or Facebook.