NEX China Lake Supporting Navy Personnel After Earthquakes

Photo By Kristine Sturkie | NEX China Lake, Calif., has opened a temporary store in the wake of the two earthquakes that shook Ridgecrest, Calif., on July 4 and 5. NEX China Lake sustained damage to the ceiling tiles and flooring and merchandise was knocked off shelves in many areas of the store. The Navy Exchange Service Command is comprised of 14,000 personnel worldwide facilitating six business lines, NEX retail stores, the Navy Lodge Program, Telecommunications Program Office, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Ships Store Program and the Uniform Program Management Office. (U.S. Navy photo by NEXCOM Public Affairs/Released)  

CHINA LAKE NAVAL WEAPONS CENTER, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

07.09.2019

Story by Kristine Sturkie 

Navy Exchange Service Command

NEX China Lake, Calif., opened a temporary store in the wake of the two earthquakes that shook Ridgecrest, Calif., on July 4 and 5.

To support personnel on base, a temporary NEX store opened on July 9 outside the main store under a covered awning for accessibility and convenience. The temporary store was needed due to damage the NEX main store sustained to its ceiling tiles and floors because of the earthquake.

In many areas of the main store, merchandise was knocked off shelves and scattered on the floor. Therefore, items for the temporary store were carefully collected by NEX associates and placed on rolling racks which have been wheeled out and stocked with essential merchandise. In addition, pallets of water and sports drinks were dispatched from the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Distribution Center in Chino, Calif., and delivered to the temporary store within one day. NEX personnel remain on watch to support all mission essential personnel currently on base.

Moreover, personnel from NEXCOM’s Western District Office, as well as managers from the surrounding NEX locations descended on NEX China Lake to assist in getting the NEX facilities back online, including the NEX barbershop and the gas station which was back in working order on July 7.

“Following the earthquake our NEXCOM team jumped into overdrive and within a day and a half had a temporary store set up with necessary items stocked all to support the mission essential personnel,” said Roland Santos, Western District Vice President, NEXCOM. “Although our NEX Branch Exchange Manager sustained damage to his own home, he devoted his time and effort to ensure service members and the folks here to help with recovery effort were taken care of-- it’s a testament to the service attitude of our team and am proud of what they’re doing here to support!”

• Date Taken: 07.09.2019
• Date Posted: 07.10.2019 08:54
• Story ID: 330725
• Location: CHINA LAKE NAVAL WEAPONS CENTER, CALIFORNIA, US