‘I Will be A Customer for Life:’ Maskery Honored for Decades of Service to Air Force, Nation

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – After more than 28 years of service to our Nation, Col. Scott P. Maskery, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Pacific Region commander, is preparing for his next chapter.

Maskery, who has spent nearly five years assigned to the Exchange, is retiring from the Air Force on June 15. He has fond memories of his military career, especially his time at the Exchange’s Pacific Region headquarters in Okinawa, where Maskery learned about the Exchange’s mission-essential support to Soldiers, Airmen and Guardians around the world.

Col. Scott Maskery, the Exchange’s Pacific Region commander, talks to associates at the Saipan Express about annual goals and customer engagement, and thanks them for their hard work and dedication while serving the U.S. military and the island’s Veteran community during his site visit to Guam and Saipan in February 2020. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark A. Kauffman)

“Learning about how the Exchange operates and executes its daily and long-range strategic missions has been extremely educational and beneficial to me, both professionally and personally,” Maskery said. “It is amazing to see what our Exchange leadership and frontline associates do behind the scenes to provide goods, services and food to our customers who walk through our doors.”

Maskery says his proudest achievements as Pacific Region commander involved helping teammates shine as they support the best customers in the world.

“I am proud of how our leadership team has postured our junior associates for success,” Maskery said. “Because of their hard work, we’ve had incredible success on contributing to the overall dividend that supports worldwide Quality-of-Life and programs.”

Maskery is also pleased with the mission partnerships that were created and strengthened, including support for the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“From a drawing on the back of the napkin to executing a plan and having a fully operational Express supporting the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin in northern Australia every day of the year is an example of both initiating new support and strengthening the relationship between the III MEF and AAFES Pacific Region,” he said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees, Maskery witnessed Exchange associates’ resilience and resourcefulness. The buy online, pick up in store program, new contactless shopping options and transforming the School Meal Program to grab-and-go service demonstrated the organization’s ability to swiftly provide safe, sanitized, secure support during uncertain times.

“I could go down the list of all the support we provided to the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, the United Services Organization and all the DoDEA schools in this region,” Maskery said. “We have established an outstanding mission partnership with each of these organizations.”

During his Air Force career, Maskery served more than 20 years overseas. He says he’s fortunate the Exchange brought a taste of home to his family.

“The Exchange has always been my first choice for goods and services while serving in the military,” Maskery said. “As I transition from active duty to retirement, I know I will be an Airman for life.  In the same regard with the Exchange, I will be a customer for life as I appreciate and recognize the good the worldwide AAFES team does for the U.S. military.”