DALLAS – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a more-active-than-usual hurricane season in 2021—and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is making sure military communities will have everything they need to weather the storm.
The Exchange’s Merchandising Directorate is working around the clock to proactively build inventory at distribution centers, ensuring items that have historically seen high demand during severe weather, such as water, flashlights, batteries and extension cords, are in stock and ready to ship at a moment’s notice. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Meanwhile, Exchange general managers at locations prone to severe weather are preparing lists of items they want shipped to their stores ahead of major storms. Managers continuously monitor forecasts and communicate with local commands to ensure their communities’ needs are met during hurricanes and tropical storms.
In 2020, careful planning helped the Exchange care for military communities through five hurricanes, one tropical storm and three typhoons in the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, Puerto Rico, and the Indo-Pacific theater. The Exchange shipped more than 60,000 supplies to BXs and PXs in each storm’s path.
“The Exchange has always been there to support Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families during natural disasters,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Leveraging years of experience supporting communities before and after hurricanes and tropical storms, the Exchange is more capable than ever of caring for Warfighters and their families during hurricane season.”
Additionally, the Exchange’s Disaster Support Group—a virtual meeting of Exchange leaders worldwide—ensures a constant flow of information about hurricane preparedness at every level of the organization.
The Exchange also has mobile field exchanges—stores on wheels stocked with snacks, beverages and hygiene essentials—on standby in case of severe storm damage requiring military rescue support in affected communities.
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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 $2.2 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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].
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