379th USO

Col. Jeff Fraser, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, cuts the ribbon on the new USO Monday. Jake Jacobs, USO director of the host nation center and Cara Nazari, USO vice president of operations in Southwest Asia helped the colonel open the new facility designed to benefit troops transiting through AUAB. Next year, the terminal hopes to receive funding and more amenities to offer those passing through the passenger terminal.

379th USO

Master Sgt. Joel Shelton (left) and Senior Master Sgt. Scott Wanner, both 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, stack donated Starbucks coffee in the new USO facility at the Mighty 8th passenger terminal Monday. Patrons of the famed coffee chain in Gig Harbor, Wash., purchased more than 8,000 pounds of coffee beans to donate to troops. (USAF photos by Senior Airman Melissa Padilla)

USO opens in 8th EAMS passenger terminal

Published Sept. 10, 2006
By Senior Airman Tim Bazar
379th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Officials opened a $14,600 USO in the passenger terminal Monday for those transiting through AUAB during their travel in and out of the AOR.

The 24-hour-a-day facility, located in the passenger terminal, has several amenities available for personnel and more are on the way, said 1st Lt. Mitchell Parker, the USO project officer.

Currently, passengers can check e-mail on four computers, drink coffee, read
magazines or books and make phone calls to other AOR locations.

"Members of the 8th joined with other offices on base to create something out of nothing for the troops," said Lieutenant Parker. "There was a desire to improve 'awaiting transport time' for the warfighter, so we created space for the USO, constructed an area, painted the floor, obtained funding to buy furniture and lined up Starbucks sponsorship."

Java patrons in Gig Harbor, Wash., a suburb of Seattle, purchased more than 8,000 pounds of coffee beans from the famed brand, Starbucks, and donated it to deploying members.

The project, which began in March with AEF 9/10, will receive steam in 2007 when USO officials receive final approval of the facility here and budget upgrades for improvements. "We are expecting some renovations and upgrades in early 2007," said Lieutenant Parker, of the USOs bare bones setup. "We're also looking forward to additional funding to purchase more items servicemembers can use while waiting for flights."

Overall, the new USO facility will help improve the quality of life at AUAB, he said.
"The tremendous efforts of (everyone involved) have made the passenger terminal a better place than it was just a few weeks ago," said Lieutenant Parker. "We will continue to look for ways to improve our facilities and processes to help the troops have the best possible experience while at AUAB."

Anyone interested in volunteering to man or maintain the USO area, can contact the 8th EAMS first sergeant at 437-2655.