Fort Bragg command representatives help Exchange officials cut the ribbon on the new Yarborough Express May 24. From left, Kenneth Lamey, assistant chief of Fire Prevention; David Volk, fire inspector; Chris Snyder, quality assurance specialist with Fort Bragg Network Enterprise Center; Amanda Hartfield, Fort Bragg Exchange general manager; Maureen Coleman, Yarborough Express store manager; Brig. Gen. Derek Lipson, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) deputy commanding general; Col. Scott Pence, garrison commander; Richard Holcomb, retired deputy to the commanding general for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command; Mike Smietana, Exchange senior vice president of Real Estate; and Natalia Meyer, Exchange retail business manager. (U.S. Army Photo by Jacqueline Hill, Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office)
FORT BRAGG – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is making life more convenient for the Fort Bragg community with the opening of a new $7.2 million Express in the post’s Yarborough Complex area.
Brig. Gen. Derek Lipson, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) deputy commanding general; Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg garrison commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Loehr, senior enlisted leader; and Richard Holcomb, retired deputy to the commanding general for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command; helped Mike Smietana, the Exchange’s senior vice president of Real Estate; Amanda Hartfield, Fort Bragg Exchange general manager; and other Exchange officials cut the ribbon on the 7,226-square-foot Express on May 24.
“This has been a team effort from the start, from the advocacy of USASOC as they expand into Yarborough, to [the Department of Public Works] making sure all the permits are in place for the fuel, to AAFES being our great partner here on Fort Bragg and putting establishments like this where the Soldiers and leaders need them,” Pence said. “This is really a good success story … and we’re so proud to be here and be lucky enough to cut this ribbon today.”
Plans for the Express, the first Exchange store to serve the post’s remote special operations area, go back about three years, with construction starting in early 2021. A temporary building served the area until the project was completed. The Express features four pumps offering BP/Amoco-branded fuel, bringing fuel to the Yarborough Complex area for the first time. Inside, the store features a Hunt Brothers Pizza, fresh fruit, salads and more.
“After some initial delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to finally say ‘mission complete’ on this long-awaited Express,” Smietana said. “The Exchange is committed to enhancing the Quality-of-Life at Fort Bragg, and we are grateful to the Fort Bragg community for sticking by us as we brought this project to fruition.”
Construction for the Express was funded by Exchange earnings, in addition to $277,000 contributed by the installation to fund part of the site’s utilities. 100% of Exchange earnings support the military community, including critical Quality-of-Life programs that make life better for those who live and work on Fort Bragg.
The Yarborough Express, 309 Tora Bora Blvd., is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (fuel is available 24/7). Fort Bragg Expresses are open to Soldiers, military family members, retirees, disabled Veterans and caregivers, Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians, and other authorized Exchange shoppers. All other installation guests may purchase food and refreshments if consumed on the installation. For more information, call 910-436-1936.
Social media friendly version: Soldiers and military families can fuel up, find healthy meal and snack options and more at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s new Yarborough Express, which celebrated its grand opening May 24. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-25X.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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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