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Services director visits Kadena

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 18th Force Support Squadron plays a key role in life at Kadena. Approximately 2,500 Airmen and civilians work at the squadron to provide libraries, fitness center services, outdoor recreation activities and personnel support for more than 20,000 people on Kadena Air Base.

Brig. Gen. Eden Murrie, Director of Air Force Services, visited various 18th FSS facilities including the library, arts and crafts center, Marshall Dining Facility during a site visit Aug. 16-17. The general also led an all-call with the squadron staff to inform them of the changes being made at some Air Force bases and answer questions the Airmen had.

One change being tested is opening some dining facilities at a few bases all day long. Contractors are also adding new menu ideas to refresh the dining experience.

"We are touring all of the Pacific to get an idea of the needs overseas and how we can advocate for Airmen and their families. (We also want to) take home any issues or great ideas," explained Murrie. "I like to share great ideas and there's a lot of that here at Kadena."

Murrie said the 18th FSS is not only dedicated to taking care of the Airmen and their families, but also the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. At bases in foreign countries, things associated with home are important for morale, so the general believes Kadena's non-appropriated funds budget should stay intact since customers spend . 

Because 70 percent of Airmen live off base while stationed at a stateside base, she said Airmen don't use the majority of the services facilities. Facilities that are dormant or do not significantly improve morale could be shuttered to save money and improve more effective venues. The general added that all installations will be affected by appropriated funds budget cuts.

"What a resource constrained environment has done is really forced us to look at our programs and look at our processes to see what we really need," added Chief Master Sgt. Kyle Robinette, Services enlisted career field manager who accompanied the general during their two-day visit.

Whatever processes Kadena has been doing, it's working, the chief said.