Tag Archives: Afghanistan

Welcome to USO Sharana!

Posted on October 29, 2010 by | 3 Comments

There's more furniture and furnishings yet to come, but the USO at FOB Sharana is quickly becoming a favorite place to hang out!

As of 1800 on Thursday, USO Sharana is operational! For the last week volunteers have been pouring in to build walls and more in order to make sure doors were open by then.  In addition, three 42” and two 21” TVs, as well as tables and chairs, were donated.  To kickoff, USO staff and volunteers held a karaoke event.  Here are a few pictures to show the center’s progression…

Welcome to USO Sharana!

The Segovia private telephone network will be installed soon. In the meantime, troops enjoy the gaming system and big screen television.

Opening day kicked off with some karaoke and Halloween decor.

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Posted in Centers, Southwest Asia, Troops

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Congratulations to TODAY’s Modern Wedding Couple!

Posted on September 30, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Melissa McMillin and Jeremy Gebhardt got married on Rockefeller Plaza on Sept. 30. (Photo from today.msnbc.msn.com)

They became high school sweethearts three years ago and today they got married live on the TODAY show!  Melissa McMillin, 21, and Jeremy Gebhardt, 22, celebrated their union at Rockefeller Plaza after having won TODAY’s Modern Love Wedding competition.

But here’s the cool part: the groom applied via Skype while deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan!  Gebhardt is a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.  Most of the past three years, however, have seen the couple parted by tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Once they learned they were the couple chosen – via Facebook voting – to receive an all-expenses-paid wedding, it was up to TODAY Show viewers to decide every last detail of the wedding, from the ring to the dress to the cake.  McMillan and Gebhardt didn’t mind at all.  “I think they’re all gorgeous,” Gebhardt told the TODAY show audience when viewing his bride’s ring choices from Afghanistan. “Any of these would be more than I could ask for.”

Their application videos say it all: ““We have waited three long years for each other and I’ve dreamt of the day that I can finally say, ‘Hi! I’m Melissa Gebhardt,’” McMillan said.  “If anyone deserves this, it should be [Melissa],” said Gebhardt, “…I can’t tell you how many tears she has cried or how many nights she has lost sleep worried about me or waiting for me to come home. I love her with all my heart.”

Join us in sending “congratulations” to this wonderful couple.  You can watch the entire ceremony below!

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Posted in Southwest Asia, Support, Troops

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USO Opens New Center in Kandahar Afghanistan

Posted on September 18, 2010 by | 6 Comments

USO SWA Regional VP Gary Bibeau, USO Board of Governors Chairman Ed Reilly, Col. Chris Gentry, BG Reynold Hoover, and USO Kandahar Center Director Larry Cooke show their excitement after cutting the ribbon during the Opening of USO Kandahar. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

We’re so proud to announce the opening of our eleventh center in Southwest Asia: USO Kandahar!  This 8,200 square-foot facility is expected to serve more than 35,000 troops each year on Kandahar Airfield, including those traveling to and from forward operating bases in the region.  USO Kandahar is located in the Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration (RSOI) compound and is open 20 hours a day.

Commander 643rd Regional Support Group, Colonel Chris R. Gentry had this to say about the opening: “The USO’s presence on KAF is a much-anticipated event. They bring a little piece of home to everyone they touch. We are very grateful for their support of all our service members and look forward to a long and successful collaboration together.”

USO Kandahar Duty Manager, Duane DeVorak shoots a video about our United Through Reading program as Duty Manager Erin Mintmier explains the program to a soldier. (USO Photo by Joan Gardiner)

Twenty computer stations, eleven Sony PlayStation™ 3 video gaming systems, 52-inch televisions, books and a music room will entertain troops during their free time. The center also offers 18 telephones for troops to call home at no expense on the USO’s private telephone network.  Troops will also be able to participate in one of the most popular programs – United Through Reading’s Military Program – which will be available in three recording rooms.  All programs and services offered at USO Kandahar are free to troops.

“It is a real honor to be a part of the team to bring the first full-service USO in Afghanistan to Kandahar,” said Larry Cooke, director, USO Kandahar.  “This has been a true partnership with the US Garrison Support Group and many other units on KAF. My deep appreciation goes out to each one of them. I know this center will play a key role in the lives of our service men and women serving in this region.”

For individuals and corporations looking for more information or to make a donation, contact Larry Cooke at (202) 747-2792 or via email.  And be sure to visit USO Kandahar’s Facebook page for many more photos of grand opening festivities and the new center in action!

USO Kandahar Duty Manager, Kevin Wells trains new volunteers during the Grand Opening of USO Kandahar, September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

These Airmen are among the first to try out the free Segovia phones during the Grand Opening of USO Kandahar September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

These three soldiers are the first to enjoy the Jam Session Music room at USO Kandahar during the Grand Opening September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

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Posted in Centers, Southwest Asia

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Soldiers Enjoy New USO at FOB Konduz

Posted on September 3, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Division deployed from 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., enjoy a movie during their off time in the recently reopened FOB Konduz United Service Organizations. The building was recently remodeled and opened to the Soldiers. (U.S Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)

By Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KONDUZ, Afghanistan – When Soldiers deploy, what to do during the rare time off is not something many spend time thinking about.

But thanks to the work of Capt. Tony Hampton, chaplain for 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment deployed from 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., and numerous volunteers, Soldiers have a spot at the FOB Konduz United Service Organizations to get away from it all, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

Long before members of the Soldiers stepped off the plane, coordination had begun to secure “a bit of home away from home” for the Soldiers.

“Before we left Fort Drum, I contacted the USO and asked if they would send us a USO2GO pack,” said Capt. Hampton. “When we arrived on the ground, boxes started appearing.”

Inside those boxes was everything a Soldier could ask for to be entertained.

According the USO’s webpage, inside of the USO2GO delivers the USO’s most popular services to troops in the remote and restricted areas. Included are beanbag chairs, snacks, and coffee, toiletries, DVDs as well as gaming platforms.

“Everything you see in the USO, came from the USO2GO packs that they sent us, said Capt. Hampton.

When Soldiers first arrived, the building set to house the USO had been left unattended and required several days to renovate. During that time the interior was painted, new furniture brought in and arranged in the building. Different areas were set up to accommodate numerous activities including a section to watch movies or play video game, a reading area, a ping-pong table, a foosball table and a music area complete with guitars and a karaoke machine.

“The greatest thing for me is just seeing the Soldiers coming and having a place to relax,” said Capt. Hampton. “They can watch a movie, play a [video game] and get something to eat. Just seeing them come in, get off their feet and relax is the biggest reward to me.”

The decision to update the facilities was an easy one for the chaplain.

“Part of my job description for the battalion is the morale and spiritual welfare of the Soldiers, said Capt. Hampton. “If they go out there and fight, when they come back in, they should have some where that feels somewhat like home, that they can come and relax.”

“They can come in here and watch movies or play video games, “said Pfc. Andrew Taylor, 1st Brigade, 87th Infantry Regiment medic, who volunteers his time to help run the USO.

“It’s like a slice of home in a way,” he added.

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Posted in Southwest Asia, Support, Troops

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Pat Tillman Memorial USO Unplugged

Posted on July 21, 2010 by | 3 Comments

Bagram, Afghanistan – The Pat Tillman USO has had an array of talented guest walk through the front doors. Everyone from NFL players and coaches to musical stars to members of the government. We are always happy to host these groups of celebrities and elected officials but some of the people right here on Bagram are the true stars.

Music plays an integral part of life at the Pat Tillman Memorial USO Center, as this impromptu gathering of musicians and singers performing in June 2010 illustrates. (USO photo)

On any given night there are as many as 100 plus service members here. They are talented at the jobs and positions they hold and do it with out any hesitation but that is not the only talent they possess. Many nights service members come in a watch a movie, use the wireless internet, call home, or just sit and get away from the outside world. On one such night two service members got together, an airmen and soldier, grabbed a guitar and started belting out tunes for the guest here. That started a fire in the duty managers to get more of these type performances for everyone to enjoy. We are putting together an “Unplugged” night where members of the military can come and play.

On one such occasion we were privileged to listen and record Joseph from 455 ESFS and Brandon from 4ID. These two guys got together as one strummed on the guitar and the other sang quips of songs until they finally put it together and put on an impromptu performance.  Here is a clip from the unplugged show.

The first of many to come!!!

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A Special Shoutout from Bagram to Florida!

Posted on July 12, 2010 by | Leave a comment

A look at some of the USO amenities available at Bagram AB. (USO photo/Facebook)

Bagram, Afghanistan – The 69th MP company here on BAF received care packages from the Jacksonville USO.  The Unit is in charge of one of the facilities on Bagram that has a satellite USO run completely by Military Volunteers.

The Pat Tillman USO works very closely with the satellite USO, providing Big Screen TVs, gaming systems, DVD players, and many other resources to continue the mission at hand. We here at the Pat Tillman USO along with the 69th MP unit appreciate the generosity of the Jacksonville people, volunteers, and USO for all their support.

P.S. – If someone you know is serving at Bagram, be sure to “like” USO Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan on Facebook!

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Posted in Programs, Recognition, Southwest Asia

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