Airmen kick back at Kadena’s “Wired Bean”

  • Published
  • By Michelle Balatero
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Sometimes life in the military can be repetitive. Everyone needs a place to unwind and just take a break from their everyday cycle. Fortunately for Airmen at Kadena Air Base, the Wired Bean is available to help them do just that. 

The Wired Bean provides first-term Airmen and dorm residents a place outside of their dorm to relax, hang out, and make new friends. Airmen can sip gourmet coffee while taking advantage of the free services offered by the Bean such as high-speed internet access, a Vonage phone to call the States, a full-service coffee and milkshake bar, X-box gaming rooms, big screen and plasma TVs, board games, and the popular video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero. 

"It is an environment free of alcohol and negative influences," said Chaplain (Capt.) Zebulon Beck, 18th Wing Chaplain Services. "It's just a place where Airmen can really enjoy themselves." 

Airman 1st Class James Bladen from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron stumbled into the Wired Bean after he noticed fellow Airmen walking to the facility. Since then, he has become a regular. 

"I come here because it's a place to call our families for free and use the internet," he said. "It is pretty much somewhere to go where we don't have to spend money." 

Originally used for the base chapel youth group, the Wired Bean has been transformed into a place where all Airmen can hang out and relax. Although the Wired Bean is funded by the base chapel, its purpose is to provide a positive environment for Airmen without any religious undertones. The chapel staff wants Airmen to know that they can relax at the Bean without wondering if they are going to get a religious sales pitch. 

"It's completely open to any faith or no faith. It doesn't have a religious slant to it," said Chaplain Beck. "If they're interested in church - no problem, we can direct them. But there is no church here." 

Volunteers are always welcome to help out at the Wired Bean, whether to serve free milkshakes and coffee or to assist in other duties around the facility. 

"Volunteering at the Wired Bean is a great way for people of all ranks to spend some time with today's Airmen - get to know what their issues, hopes, and fears are, and really just have a chance to connect with them outside of the workplace," said Chaplain Beck. 

The event schedule is filled with monthly barbeques, X-box game tournaments, and movie nights. With the holiday season coming up, the Wired Bean is hosting a free, full-course Thanksgiving meal Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. for all first-term and dorm Airmen. Airmen do not need to bring anything. 

"There are plenty of things to do here," said Airman Bladen. "It's something to give you time away from your dorm room and just have fun and interact with other Airmen." 

The Wired Bean is located in Building 612 next to military clothing sales. It is open Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. The Bean is closed on Sundays and holidays. 

For more information, visit the Wired Bean on the web at www.kadenachapel.org or contact Chaplain Beck at 634-1288.