CAMP FOSTER – Army & Air Force Exchange Service Director/CEO Brad Bingham visited Exchange locations across Okinawa last week, meeting with associates and leaders on the ground to hear firsthand how the Department of War’s largest retailer is supporting Warfighters from all branches of services and their families.
“Connecting with military communities and listening to associates are vital,” Bingham said. “Seeing operations in person and being out in the community goes a long way in helping us accelerate and optimize mission support.”
Bingham, President/Chief Operating Officer Marla Randolph and Pacific Region Commander Col. Jason Beck visited nearly 25 Exchange sites across Okinawa—from the bakery and distribution center at Camp Kinser to the two-story Exchange at Kadena Air Force Base. They also visited Camps Foster, Schwab and Hansen, talking with Exchange associates and managers about the importance of bringing convenience, value and a taste of home to Warfighters and families.
At Camp Foster, Bingham met with Brig. Gen. Ralph Rizzo, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, to highlight Exchange support.
“Our priority is to stay in lockstep with the mission so Exchange support can continue to be a true Quality-of-Life force multiplier for those on Okinawa,” Bingham said.
Across Okinawa, the Exchange has a wide footprint, supporting all branches of service with two main department stores, five branch/troop stores, six theaters and more.
Exchange support goes beyond retail. As an official provider of meals for the Department of War Education Activity, the Exchange served 500,000 meals to students attending 13 schools on Okinawa last year. Meals are offered in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition standards. Whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk are offered daily.
The Exchange’s bakery at Camp Kinser supports the meal program; dining facilities; restaurants; commissaries; morale, welfare and recreation programs and more. Multitiered cakes for Marine Corps balls—which look like works of art—come from the bakery too.
“From a nutritional readiness standpoint, having a bakery on Okinawa keeps food secure as ingredients, production and visitors are tightly controlled,” Bingham said.
The Exchange continues to invest in the customer experience across Okinawa.
“Panda Express is coming to Camp Foster, and Starbucks is planned for Kadena Air Base—this will be the first Starbucks on a military installation in Okinawa,” Bingham said. “These will be terrific additions that bring a familiar taste of home to the community.”
In addition, work continues on a new branch store at Camp Schwab.
“These upgrades are all about improving daily Quality of Life for troops and families,” Bingham said. “In 2025, shopping with the Exchange in Okinawa generated nearly $16 million for the Services’ Quality-of-Life programs. It truly does matter where you shop.”
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 60th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In 2025, the Exchange generated $307 million for military Quality-of-Life programs. In the last 10 years, the Exchange has returned $2.4 billion to military communities. The Exchange is a nonappropriated fund entity of the Department of War and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on X at https://x.com/shopmyexchange.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].