USO in 2022

From U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton up north, to the many U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard bases in the south, the USO reached them all in 2021. With its USO Centers at Camp Pendleton and Liberty Station and the USO Neil Ash Airport Center at the San Diego International Airport, and through its Field Programs, Transitions and Mobility and Logistics capabilities, the staff and volunteers made a significant positive difference last year. The USO’s efforts created opportunities that supported over 250 thousand instances where it hosted, engaged or supported our military and their families through one of its Centers or Programs.

2021 is shaping up to be an even better year for USO San Diego / Camp Pendleton. All of its Centers are open, and its Field and Transition programs and its Mobility capabilities are in full swing, and it expects to reach its pre-COVID support numbers this year.

Additionally in 2022, the USO has plans to renovate its USO Neil Ash Airport Center. This Center hosts thousands of service members each year and has seen a lot of foot traffic. It will be renovated to present a new look and feel that the service members and their families will appreciate. In anticipation of the renovation, USO San Diego Executive Director, retired Navy Captain William Fenick, his Board Chair Joe Craver, and Board Member David Barnes met with June Ash, the donor that the Center is named after. They also celebrated what would have been Neil Ash’s birthday, enjoying his favorite root beer floats, now a staple at the airport for the visiting servicemembers and their families.

USO San Diego / Camp Pendleton is also pleased to announce its 2020 Advisory Board. These individuals will be essential in championing and advocating for all the great work the USO accomplishes in the Greater San Diego area and will work in support of all the USO does each day for our service members and their families.

2022 USO San Diego / Camp Pendleton Advisory Board
Col Joe Craver, USAF (Ret)
Board Chair, Community at Large

CAPT Dave Barnes, USNR
United Airlines

Steve Cowan
Hilton Bayfront Hotels

Edward Cramp
Duane Morris

Erik Funfar
Ernst and Young

CDR Jeanne Groeneveld, USN (Ret)
San Diego Padres

Tom McCormick
SIOR

Dan Murphy
Liberty Housing

Dr. Nancy Rohland-Heinrich
National University

Andrea Smith
San Diego Gas & Electric

What will certainly be a highlight for USO in 2022 will be the return of the signature Gala on October 22 to be held on the tarmac at United States Coast Guard Sector San Diego on the bay with the best views of San Diego.
For more information or to sponsor the gala please visit www.usosandiego.org.