USO in a Box

United Services Organization workers and U.S. Marines officially open the first Pacific "USO in a Box" on the island of le Shima in the prefecture of Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 2, 1011. USO in a Box units bring the services and resources of USO centers, such as internet access, laptops, televisions, and Voice Over Internet Phone, to service members in the most remote locations of the world. (Courtesy photo)

USO in a Box comes to Pacific

Published Dec. 1, 2011
By Elyce Middlebrooks
USO Pacific Regional Office

OKINAWA, Japan -- The United Services Organization unveiled its first Pacific "USO in a Box" Dec. 2 on the island of le Shima in the prefecture of Okinawa, Japan.

This state-of-the-art USO tactical operations center will first be used to support troops participating in exercises throughout the Pacific region.

USO in a Box brings the services and resources of USO centers to service members in the most remote locations of the world. It contains all the elements to create an expandable USO TOC that can be unfolded and operational within 20 minutes of being dropped on-site.

Each unit provides troops with internet access, laptops, televisions, a DVD player, Voice Over Internet Phone, Xbox® 360 gaming systems, Guitar Hero® and surround sound as well as interior climate control. The nature of these units allows them to be quickly moved from one location to another, as needed.

Colonel P.D. Patterson, Jr., Marine Air Control Group 18 Commanderand Master Gunnery Sergeant William Furness were on hand to assist with the unveiling.

Other USO's in A Box are located in New Mexico, South Carolina, Ethiopia and remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan.

"The USO is proud to have the opportunity to provide a "touch of home" and connectivity to loved ones far away for troops participating in exercises", said Carly Harris, USO Pacific's Acting Regional Vice President. "As always thank you to the generosity of private individuals and corporations whose donations make USO support possible."