AAFES Improves Quality of Life on Futenma
Lance Cpl. Heather N. Choate
okinawa marine staff

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA — Senior leaders from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma have been taking steps to better the quality of life of their Marines. The most recent improvement took place July 30 as Futenma’s senior leaders gathered at the gas station to simply announce a change to the gas station’s hours. The gas station and car wash are now available 24-hours a day.

“After several months of planning and evaluation, we finally got the opportunity to be the first Marine Corps installation on Okinawa to have a 24-hour gas station,” said Sgt. Maj. Timothius M. Robinson, sergeant major, MCAS Futenma. “In addition, our self-serve car wash is also now a 24-hour facility.”

According to Robinson, the driving force behind changing the hours was the voice of his Marines. Marines on the air station who are required to work night shifts found several complications with transportation and refueling of their vehicles; and, according to Robinson, it is more expensive to purchase fuel at off-base stations.

However, the 24-hour gas station is not the only improvement that has been completed on the air station.

“Within the past few months, with the help of Marine Corps Community Services and AAFES, several projects are either in progress or have been completed,” said Robinson.

Other improvements include a new Marine Corps Martial Arts Program room at McCutcheon Gym, the replacement of the basketball courts and bleachers at Semper Fit Gym, and renovations to the concessions strip mall.

“We have to continue to strive to make this a vibrant location for our Marines, sailors and civilian work force that keep this station moving forward on a daily basis,” said Robinson.

“The quality of life for the Marines on MCAS Futenma has to be a priority at every level because our Marines and sailors are the most precious asset,” said Robinson. “And, if we fail to take care of them, then we have missed the real reason for even being here.”

One of Robinson’s goals as the air station’s sergeant major is to ensure the entire population of MCAS Futenma understands that the commanding officer and his staff are ensuring that quality of life issues are high on their list of priorities.

“Futenma is alive and well,” said Col. Dale M. Smith, Futenma’s commanding officer. “We are going to continue to push to improve the quality of life and the working conditions aboard Futenma. This is our vision.”

“You can count on the leadership here at MCAS Futenma to continue to strive to make Futenma the best MCAS that we can make it,” said Robinson.