News>Local vendors, U.S. military save time, money
Photos
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Douglas Cummings, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics team leader, and Carlos Villegas, 18th CMS resource advisor, talk to Masayoshi Uehara, a DACOM company member, at the third-annual Okinawan first vendor showcase on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7, 2013. The showcase allowed service members to view products from local companies to provide units alternatives when ordering supplies and to foster goodwill with the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Carl Anderson, 3rd Maintenance Battalion supply officer, and Cpl. Richard Wright, 3rd Maintenance Battalion administrative NCO, look at the DACOM Company display at the third-annual Okinawan first vendor showcase on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7, 2013. Some products DACOM Company sells are toner and ink cartridges, light-emitting diode lighting and a drum for laser printers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marvin Mohammed, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of cryogenic production, exchanges information with Ichiro Kawai, a Shibuya-Giken member, at the third-annual Okinawan first vendor showcase on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7, 2013. The showcase gave military members a chance to interact with local businesses and seek opportunities to conduct business with our host nation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Carl Anderson, 3rd Maintenance Battalion supply officer, and Cpl. Richard Wright, 3rd Maintenance Battalion administrative NCO, ask DACOM company employees questions about their light display at the third-annual Okinawan first vendor showcase on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7, 2013. More than 20 vendors came to the event to show various products their companies have to offer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Crowdus, 18th Medical Group facility management NCO in charge, receives information from Sarasa Rodriguez, a Ryukyu Engineering Research Unit member, at the third-annual Okinawan first vendor showcase on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 7, 2013. The showcase allowed service members to view products from local companies to provide units alternatives when ordering supplies and to foster goodwill with the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
18th Wing Public Affairs
2/8/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The third-annual Okinawan First Vendor Showcase, sponsored by the 18th Contracting Squadron and the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Cooperation, was held Feb. 7 at the Schilling Community Center.
"To carry out our mission we must have the right supplies, facilities and equipment," said Col. Jeff Ullmann, 18th Mission Support Group commander. "The Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who use those facilities and equipment must have the supplies they need and (the equipment and facilities) must be well-maintained."
The event showed Government Purchase Card holders, unit resource advisors and military members who attended, locally-made products offered by Okinawan companies.
"The objective of the showcase (was) to provide units cost-effective alternatives and foster goodwill and ambassadorship by actively seeking opportunities to conduct business with our host nation partners," said Maj. Calvin Hodgson, 18th CONS commander.
More than 20 local vendors came to the event, showcasing products including insulated brick, recycled toner cartridges, cargo services, and the ability to repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
"We targeted 25 vendors for this year's event," Hodgson said. "(They were) chosen because they offer goods and services in areas which have (been) historically proven to be difficult to (find)."
"Our presence at (the) showcase signifies our mutual interest in developing new business relationships between the U.S. government and local companies," Ullmann said. "We know Okinawan companies offer good products and services, reliable staff and the know-how to get the job done right, on time and within budget."
