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AMC Commander visits O'Hare's USO Cyber Canteen

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Nicole White
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander and Franco Tedeshi, American Airline's vice president, Chicago visited the new USO American Airline's Cyber Canteen on the secure side of the American Airlines terminal at O'Hare Airport, Chicago, July 3, 2012.

The cyber canteen offers 'home away from home' comforts for traveling military and their families, including free Wi-Fi Internet access, refreshments and a lounge area where they can relax and recharge before continuing on to their destinations.

"On behalf of the men and women of the armed forces, thank you for the overwhelming amount of support and contributions that American Airlines and the USO have and continue to provide us. It does not go unappreciated," said Johns.

American Airlines and USO Illinois opened the 1,000-square foot cyber canteen for active duty military servicemembers in Terminal 3. The facility seats approximately 120 military men and women while they are transiting through O'Hare.

"I was excited to have this opportunity to spend some time with General Johns in our USO Cyber Canteen," said Tedeshi. "It has been a place of rest for almost 4,000 military men and women per month, since we opened the doors in December 2010."

According to American Airline's Veteran Military Employee Resource Group chairwoman, Linda Kozma, the canteen is unique because it is inside the secure side of the terminal.
The USO Cyber Canteen is located on the L Concourse and available to all Military Travelers and their families who wish to remain on the secured side of TSA screening.
More than 60,000 servicemembers have used the facility thus far.

There are more than 2.4 million active duty, Guard and Reserve men and women and families who benefit from assistance provided by the USO. The USO of Illinois specifically serves more than 300,000 active duty, Guard and Reserve military members and their families annually. The USO of Illinois coordinates more than 300 programs and services, year-around at five USO Centers: USO Navy Pier, USO Midway, USO Great Lakes, USO O'Hare, and now the USO American Airline's Cyber Canteen O'Hare.

The USO acts as a concierge to the military, assisting with directions, travel information and accommodations in the event travel plans are compromised. For more information on the USO of Illinois, please visit http://usoofillinois.org/.