Adriana Piechalak and Oliwia Kołodziejczak stuff the shelves with inventory ahead of the MFE’s opening Feb. 9 in Toruń.
ZAGAN, POLAND – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service demonstrated its commitment to troops serving at the tip of the spear in Poland last month by opening three mobile field Exchanges (MFEs) in nine days and launching the first Exchange rodeo truck (ERT).
The MFEs and rodeo truck will strengthen the readiness and resiliency of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kan., as they conduct bilateral, joint and multinational training exercises for U.S. Army Europe Operation Atlantic Resolve in support of NATO. The MFEs will remain until troops rotate out this fall.
“The Exchange continues to go where Warfighters go,” said U.S. Army Col. Scott McFarland, Exchange Europe and Southwest Asia Region Commander. “Contingency facilities have an essential morale function—improving the quality-of-life for the troops they serve.”
The first 53-foot MFE arrived Feb 7 outside of Toruń. A team of 10 associates quickly assembled shelves, unloaded merchandise from an accompanying trailer, and set up the point of sale system. The MFE opened Feb 9, a day ahead of schedule.
The second MFE arrived at Camp Trzebień on Feb 9 and opened Feb 12, and a third opened at Świętoszów on Feb 16.
First Lieutenant Ricardo Amador, executive officer of the 101st Brigade Support Battalion; Grafenwoehr Associate Jarod Remillard; Poland Business Manager David Jimenez; and Help Desk Associate Bill Le Duc pose with the Exchange’s first rodeo truck. The truck deployed to Skwierzyna, Poland Feb. 22.
“The Soldiers training in these remote locations work hard every day to protect our nation,” McFarland said. “They have more than earned a taste of home.”
The Poland team deployed the ERT—a gutted 7-ton box truck fitted with shelving and merchandise—to Skwierzyna on Feb. 22, generating demand for future visits. A fourth MFE is scheduled to open in the near future.
Year-round, the Exchange assists troops in running their own store in Poznan and operates three permanent stores supporting military exercises in Zagan, Powidz and the Bemowo Piskie Training Area.
Facebook-Friendly Version: The Exchange deployed three mobile field Exchanges and the first Exchange rodeo truck to maintain the readiness and resiliency of Soldiers completing training exercises in Poland for U.S. Army Europe Operation Atlantic Resolve in support of NATO. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-UN
— 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 Alexandra Pirkle, 214-312-2143 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange