{"id":11258,"date":"2025-04-16T17:08:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/?p=11258"},"modified":"2025-10-28T18:17:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T18:17:46","slug":"laughlin-afb-exchange-celebrates-grand-reopening-of-renovated-bx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/04\/16\/laughlin-afb-exchange-celebrates-grand-reopening-of-renovated-bx\/","title":{"rendered":"Laughlin AFB Exchange Celebrates Grand Reopening of Renovated BX"},"content":{"rendered":"

LAUGHLIN AFB \u2013 <\/strong>The Department of Defense\u2019s largest retailer has transformed the shopping experience for military shoppers in the Del Rio, Texas area with the reopening of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s Laughlin AFB BX<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Laughlin AFB 47th<\/sup> Fighter Wing Commander Col. Tyler Ellison, 47th<\/sup> Mission Support Group Commander Col. Robert Moore, Exchange Central Region Senior Vice President Rebecca Santee, Exchange South Central Vice President Antonio Porter, Laughlin Exchange General Manager Madeline Salazar and Laughlin Store Manager Julie McNeill cut the ribbon April 16 on the upgraded Exchange, which underwent 15 months of renovations.<\/p>\n

This means a lot for team Laughlin,\u201d said Ellison. \u201cThis is not just a new opportunity for shopping but also a mission enhancement and a force multiplier. The upgraded store is a Quality-of-Life improvement that will significantly impact our operations here at Laughlin and will have a significant impact on all our families and everyone who shops here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The $15.7 million renovation marks the first major update of the Laughlin AFB BX since it was built in 1982. Now, authorized military shoppers, including active-duty service members, military families, retirees, service-connected disabled Veterans as well as DoD and Coast Guard civilians, can shop, dine and come together at the renovated shopping center while taking advantage of military-exclusive, tax-free prices.<\/p>\n

Improvements include new flooring and lighting, relocation of an expanded Express to the same building as the BX, 24-hour unattended fuel access with diesel, more grab-and-go options and the addition of a Chopz, featuring better-for-you made-to-order meals. Three new food truck stalls were also added east of the new Express location.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis updated store directly supports readiness and resiliency and consolidates Exchange operations under one roof, creating a one-stop shopping experience,\u201d said Salazar. \u201cBecause Laughlin is a remote location, these improvements create a more welcoming, community-centered environment which is a true Quality-of-Life enhancement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Shoppers<\/p>\n

The project was funded primarily by the Exchange, with the Air Force Education Training Command contributing $6 million for required roof, HVAC and fire alarm replacements; LED lighting upgrades; renovated restrooms; and other building improvements.<\/p>\n

When the military community shops at Laughlin AFB Exchange stores, they\u2019re making their communities stronger: 100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested in military communities through support for on-base Quality-of-Life programs, as well as capital improvements, such as the renovated BX.<\/p>\n

The Laughlin AFB BX is located in Bldg. 540 Arnold Blvd. and is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 830-298-2111.<\/p>\n

Social media friendly version:<\/strong> The Department of Defense\u2019s largest retailer has transformed the shopping experience for military shoppers in the Del Rio, Texas area with the reopening of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s Laughlin AFB BX. Read more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-2VA<\/a><\/p>\n

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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 52nd<\/sup>-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community, including through contributions to 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<\/a> or follow us on X at https:\/\/x.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or wardchr@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow the Exchange:<\/p>\n

Facebook:\u00a0 www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Twitter:\u00a0 https:\/\/twitter.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Instagram: @shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LAUGHLIN AFB \u2013 The Department of Defense\u2019s largest retailer has transformed the shopping experience for military shoppers in the Del Rio, Texas area with the reopening of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s Laughlin AFB BX. Laughlin AFB 47th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Tyler Ellison, 47th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Robert Moore, Exchange […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":11261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[25],"tags":[160,174,107,146,691,35],"class_list":["post-11258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press_releases","tag-aafes","tag-army-air-force-exchange-service","tag-exchange","tag-grand-openings","tag-laughlin","tag-military"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/04\/16\/laughlin-afb-exchange-celebrates-grand-reopening-of-renovated-bx\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Laughlin AFB Exchange Celebrates Grand Reopening of Renovated BX","url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/04\/16\/laughlin-afb-exchange-celebrates-grand-reopening-of-renovated-bx\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/04\/16\/laughlin-afb-exchange-celebrates-grand-reopening-of-renovated-bx\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/54456309551_fe211ac95f_o.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/54456309551_fe211ac95f_o.jpg"},"articleSection":"Press Releases","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Travis Day"}],"creator":["Travis Day"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Exchange Newsroom","logo":""},"keywords":["aafes","army & air force exchange service","exchange","grand openings","laughlin","military"],"dateCreated":"2025-04-16T17:08:55Z","datePublished":"2025-04-16T17:08:55Z","dateModified":"2025-10-28T18:17:46Z"},"rendered":"