DALLAS – To support service members and medical personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has opened a mobile field exchange (MFE) at the Army’s field hospital at the Javits Center in New York City. This marks the first time an MFE has been in New York since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
“MFEs underscore the Exchange’s relevancy and reinforce its motto of ‘we go where you go,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Hopefully we can make life a little more comfortable for those working to bring life back to normal.”
An MFE is an Exchange on wheels, a 53-foot trailer stocked with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks, typically used to support first responders after natural disasters or during training exercises.
“I wanted to be a part of this to help our service members in this time of need,” said Siapo Hesson, store manager at the Fort Hamilton Exchange who is helping run the MFE. “I come from a military family, and I take pride in serving them. Service members can come into the
MFE to get a short break from a very trying environment.”
“It’s very cool that the Exchange is here and can provide this type of support for the troops,” said Pfc. Maxwell Premmana of the Army National Guard’s 442nd Military Police Company. “I actually had placed an order for military rank with the Fort Hamilton general manager the day before and was able to pick it up today when the MFE opened.”
During natural disasters or other crises, MFEs can deploy within 48 hours and are a critical component of the Exchange’s relevancy and mission.
Facebook-friendly version: To support service members and first responders, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has deployed a mobile field exchange (MFE) at the Javits Center in New York City. This marks the first time an Exchange MFE has been in New York since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1kp.
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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 62nd-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.3 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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