Second Mobile Field Exchange Opens in Support of Border Operations
DONNA, Texas – The same day that Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen made a surprise visit to Base Camp Donna, Soldiers deployed to South Texas got another surprise when an Army & Air Force Exchange Service mobile field Exchange (MFE) rolled into the encampment and set up shop.
Installation command at Base Camp Donna, located outside of McAllen, Texas, requested the MFE on Nov. 10. Four days later, the store on wheels opened for business with a steady stream of Soldiers lined up throughout the day. The Exchange opened a mobile barber shop at the site last week as well.
“We were on meals ready to eat for the first 10 days so for the Soldiers to now have the ability to go get a candy bar or that bottle of Gatorade, it’s a real morale booster,” Capt. Lauren Blanton, 19th Engineer Battalion from Fort Knox and base camp mayor, said. “The MFE means a little taste of home, a little bit of normalcy and routine.”
Base Camp Donna is a “tent city” that was built from the ground up in a large field by the Southwest U.S. border. Unless going out on official Army duties, Soldiers are confined to the camp, meaning it is the only location they can acquire supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks.
“Everyone has been smiling since this store opened,” Sgt. Jonathon Morales, who deployed from Fort Riley, said. “It really boosts the morale and I’m really glad they came here. It’s one of those things where you didn’t expect it to come and then when it rolled through we couldn’t wait for it to open.”
The Base Camp Donna MFE is the second the Exchange has opened in support of operations near the border with the first being at Davis-Monthan AFB earlier this month. In addition to the two MFEs near the border, the Exchange has stationed an MFE at Tyndall AFB since Oct. 21 supporting service members as they rebuild after Hurricane Michael.
Facebook-friendly version: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is boosting morale for troops near the border with a mobile field Exchange at Base Camp Donna, Texas. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-NY
— 30 —
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.
###
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange