Army & Air force Exchange Service Director/CEO Brad Bingham (right) and Pacific Region Commander Col. Jason Beck greeted Sales Area Manager Ricky Cabral while visiting the Yokota AB Exchange. (Photo courtesy of Army & Air force Exchange Service)
YOKOTA AIR BASE – Army & Air Force Exchange Service Director/CEO Brad Bingham visited Exchange locations across mainland Japan this 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 20 Exchange sites across Japan—from the bakery, distribution center and airline catering service at Yokota Air Base to the troop store supporting Marines in training at Camp Fuji. They also visited Camp Zama, talking with Exchange associates and managers about the importance of bringing convenience, value and a taste of home to Warfighters and families.
At Camp Fuji, Bingham met with Combined Arms Training Center Commander Col. Sung Kim to highlight Exchange support. At Yokota, Bingham spoke with 5th Air Force Deputy Commander Col. Nathan Colunga and Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Small.
“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 Warfighters and families Japan,” Bingham said.
Across Japan, 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 223,000 meals to students attending eight schools in Japan 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 Yokota supports the meal program; dining facilities; restaurants; commissaries; morale, welfare and recreation programs; and more.
“From a nutritional readiness standpoint, having a bakery on Yokota keeps food secure as ingredients, production and visitors are tightly controlled,” Bingham said.
The Exchange continues to invest in the customer experience across Japan.
“Qdoba is coming to Yokota soon,” Bingham said. “We’re also updating the Fussa Express. The Snack Avenue will have an updated look, and a Hunt Brothers Pizza is coming too.”
In addition, an upgrade is planned for the Camp Zama Exchange and food court.
“These upgrades are all about improving daily Quality of Life for troops and families,” Bingham said. “In 2025, shopping with the Exchange in Japan generated nearly $2.1 million for the Services’ Quality-of-Life programs. It truly does matter where you shop.”
