Largest MCX in the Marine Corps opens at MCAS Iwakuni

Photo By Sgt. Stephen Campbell | U.S. Marine Corps senior leadership and distinguished guests cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Marine Corps Exchange at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 14, 2019. The new MCX has twice as much square footage as the old exchange and a stateside level of stock and support not commonly seen on Marine Corps installations in Japan. Leaders from every corner of the Marine Corps gathered at MCAS Iwakuni for a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the opening before a crowd of local Japanese residents and U.S. service members. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)  

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

03.14.2019

Story by Cpl. Stephen Campbell 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan- After seven years of joint planning and execution, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni continues to grow and improve the quality of life for its residents with the opening of the largest Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 14, 2019.

Leaders from all corners of the Marine Corps gathered at MCAS Iwakuni to cut the ribbon, signifying that the MCX is open for business before a crowd of local Japanese and U.S. civilians, service members and their families.

Doubling the size of its predecessor, the new MCX covers 90,000 square feet and increased its overall inventory by about 32 percent.

Amongst the new features, such as a food bar and Sephora-like prestige cosmetic shop, the MCX also includes the interactive features of a video gaming room and a Nerf shooting range located in the toy department.

Each addition selected for the MCX represents the consumer preferences, in order to give customers a taste of life back in the United States. Along with other new services the MCX now offers, shops such as the MCXtreme bike shop, which used to exist off-site, now have a space in the new building.

“On each military base, the exchange plays an integral [role on] the installation,” said Rusti Rausch, the chief of retail and services with MCCS. “Because the exchange is such an integral part of this base, we wanted to give you a taste of the stateside shopping experience. You will see new shops, new brands and new concepts.”

Bringing the new MCX to life was a joint effort between MCCS Headquarters, local contractors and other entities; the facility cost over 60 million dollars to construct.

“I’ve been inside many MCX’s while being in the military and this new store has definitely exceeded my expectations,” said U.S. Navy Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Hudson Burns, with Carrier Air Wing 5. “I am definitely surprised by the amount of products they had on display. Overall, I would rate my experience an 11 out of 10, I definitely recommend checking it out.”

U.S. Marine Corps senior leadership that attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Lt. Gen. Michael Rocco, the deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Brig. Gen. Paul Rock Jr., the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC); and Brig. Gen. Sean Salene, the assistant wing commander of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as other distinguished guests.

“We have a whole network of installations in MCIPAC and each one is special in its own way, but what I think is cool about the opening of this store is that it is [located] on the ‘crown jewel’ installation of the Marine Corps,” said Rock Jr. “MCAS Iwakuni is a dramatic demonstration of the strength of not just the Marine Corps and Navy teaming up, but also our alliance with Japan. That makes this store the crown jewel of the crown jewel.”

The grand opening celebration is slated for Saturday, March 16, 2019, where there will be approximately 100,000 dollars in prizes given away.

• Date Taken: 03.14.2019
• Date Posted: 03.14.2019 04:28
• Story ID: 314171
• Location: MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP