Service Members Deployed to Middle East Feel the Force During Special Screenings of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with The Walt Disney Studios to bring a special holiday treat to troops serving in the Middle East: first-run screenings of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates can see the highly anticipated film during its initial run, continuing the Exchange’s longstanding commitment to bring first-run movies to troops deployed overseas.

The film made its downrange premiere on Dec. 14 at Baghdad Embassy Compound, Iraq; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; Azraq, Jordan; and Camp Buering, Kuwait. Additional showings will follow through Dec. 25 at locations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Col. Mike Sullivan, U.S. Army, attended a Dec. 15 screening at the Baghdad Embassy Compound. He said Soldiers are grateful to have seen the film at the same time as their friends and family in the United States.

“It’s like having a little taste of home,” Sullivan said.

U.S. Army Col. Scott McFarland, Exchange Europe Region Commander, said the Exchange was thrilled to give service members a chance to see ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ a full day ahead of its U.S. release.

“Our Middle East screenings of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ in 2015 and 2016 were very well received,” McFarland said. “We are excited to once again be able to offer a much-needed break from the harsh day-to-day reality these service members face while on deployment.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with The Walt Disney Studios to bring a special holiday treat to #troops serving in the Middle East: first-run screenings of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Full story: http://bit.ly/2BcRCFJ. #FamilyServingFamily #WeGoWhereYouGo #Military

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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. As the 57th-largest retailer in the United States, Exchange earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

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