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USO Mobile Canteen

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash -- A USO Mobile House and Signing takes place in the BX parking lot June 5-6. The Mobile USO is making the stop to allow personnel to tour and use the $400,000 vehicle, record messages and sign banners for the troops stationed overseas. The Mobile USO program enables the USO to extend morale-building services to military members and their families, some of whom are in remote and isolated areas. Each Mobile USO features a lounge area with televisions and a home theater system, external entertainment capabilities, computer work stations with internet connectivity and X-Box video gaming systems, and a mobile kitchen. (Courtesy photo)

Mobile USO canteen visits Fairchild

Published June 4, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Your nearest United Service Organizations outlet is about to get a lot closer. A USO mobile canteen will be parked in the BX parking lot June 5 and 6, looking for your business.

The mobile canteen program was designed to make USO services more accessible to stateside military members, according to Corey Hulse, who is driving and managing the Fairchild's canteen.

"We realized that there aren't enough USOs in the states to support the troops we have here, so we developed a mobile program to travel the states," said Mr. Hulse. "Now we can come to the troops and bring our opportunities directly to them."

Three canteens now travel the states, along with the six traveling overseas areas, bringing services like wireless Internet connections, fax machine hook-ups, a gaming area with xBox stations and laptop computers, and a 45-inch plasma flat screen TV.

"We've received absolutely wonderful response from everyone we run into," said Mr. Hulse. "People are amazed when they get into the USO mobile home; they don't realize this is a $400,000 vehicle and the amount of electrical equipment we have on board."

Along with providing a fun spot for servicemembers and their families, all that high-tech equipment also enables the mobile USO team to provide their most important function - helping those who serve. The USO has been around for 66 years to support the troops, said Mr. Hulse, and that's exactly why they're coming to Fairchild. USO services include information referral, housing and emergency assistance and support groups, nursery facilities and new spouse orientations at some bases, and many other groups and products. To do this, USO representatives and volunteers run more than 130 centers around the world.

The mobile canteen opened its doors June 5 and will re-open at 4 p.m. June 6.