WACO, Texas – To assist with the recovery after Hurricane Michael, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service deployed a mobile field Exchange (MFE) from its Waco Distribution Center to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Sunday, underscoring the Department of Defense retailer’s commitment to military readiness and resiliency.
An MFE is a 53-foot “Exchange on wheels,” with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks, that is rapidly deployed to support disaster relief and contingency operations. The MFE is set to arrive Monday morning at Eglin, where it will be staged to support Airmen and first responders at Tyndall Air Force Base, which sustained catastrophic damage last week from Hurricane Michael.
“The Exchange’s motto is ‘We Go Where You Go.’ It is important that we have short-notice mobile Exchange capability,” said Col. Douglas Vallejo, Exchange Deputy Director, Logistics. “Our Exchange main store and Express locations at Tyndall were severely damaged during Hurricane Michael as were retailers outside the gate. This MFE will be a force multiplier for Team Tyndall as cleanup efforts continue.”
The Exchange has 13 MFEs and two barber shops that can be deployed within 48 hours. In the past, MFEs have supported hurricane and wildfire relief efforts in the United States and major military exercises both home and abroad. Last year, the Exchange deployed two MFEs to assist the Texas National Guard during Hurricane Harvey relief.
Facebook-friendly version: To assist with the recovery after Hurricane Michael, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service deployed a mobile field Exchange from its Waco Distribution Center to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Sunday. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-Jq
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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. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its 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. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website 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 Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].
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