{"id":7094,"date":"2021-09-30T18:24:41","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T18:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/?p=7094"},"modified":"2021-09-30T18:24:41","modified_gmt":"2021-09-30T18:24:41","slug":"exchanges-on-wheels-in-high-demand-as-military-installations-welcome-afghan-guests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2021\/09\/30\/exchanges-on-wheels-in-high-demand-as-military-installations-welcome-afghan-guests\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Exchanges on Wheels\u2019 in High Demand as Military Installations Welcome Afghan Guests"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MobileDALLAS \u2013<\/strong> At a moment\u2019s notice, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service can bring the comforts of home to Warfighters deployed anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n

The Department of Defense retailer uses mobile field Exchanges (MFEs)\u201453-foot stores on wheels<\/a> packed with snacks, beverages and hygiene products\u2014to quickly support emerging mission needs, a capability that has taken on even greater relevance in recent months.<\/p>\n

As of mid-September, all but two of the Exchange\u2019s 11 U.S.-based MFEs are in active service. Seven of these are deployed in support of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), helping installations provide essential support to Afghan evacuees<\/a> while they complete the necessary steps for resettlement in the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cMFEs give deployed troops a lifeline to America, helping them stay ready and resilient through their mission,\u201d said Army Col. Brian Memoli, the Exchange\u2019s deputy director of Logistics. \u201cWith years of experience rapidly deploying MFEs to war zones, training exercises and areas impacted by natural disasters, the Exchange knows how to bring much-needed comfort to our troops downrange.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first MFE deployed for OAW opened July 29 at Fort Lee, Virginia, arriving just four days after Task Force-Eagle first requested Exchange support. Additional units have deployed to serve guests at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Camp Atterbury, Indiana.<\/p>\n

In addition to OAW support, a U.S.-based MFE is also deployed for a National Guard exercise at Camp Garfield, Ohio, with another on standby at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, in the event of the need for natural disaster support.<\/p>\n

The Exchange also maintains eight MFEs in Europe and Southwest Asia. One just completed a mission to support troops helping efforts to host Afghan guests at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Three others are still active, with two deployed to Poland and Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and an additional unit serving coalition forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Plans are also underway to support DEFENDER-Europe 22 and Operation Saber Strike next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Exchange stands ready 24\/7 to provide rapid response to command requests for MFE service,\u201d Memoli said. \u201cRegardless of risk, location or challenge, America can count on the Exchange to support the military mission\u2014no matter where the need may emerge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Social media-friendly version: <\/strong>The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has deployed seven mobile field Exchanges\u201453-foot stores on wheels offering snacks, beverages, hygiene items and other essentials\u2014to support Afghan guests staying at U.S. military installations as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Read more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-1Qq<\/a>.<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

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 53rd-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.1 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<\/a> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or hammettc@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":"

DALLAS \u2013 At a moment\u2019s notice, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service can bring the comforts of home to Warfighters deployed anywhere in the world. The Department of Defense retailer uses mobile field Exchanges (MFEs)\u201453-foot stores on wheels packed with snacks, beverages and hygiene products\u2014to quickly support emerging mission needs, a capability that has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":7100,"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":"The #Exchange has deployed seven mobile field Exchanges\u201453-foot stores on wheels offering snacks, beverages, hygiene items and more\u2014to support Afghan guests staying at U.S. #military installations as part of #OperationAlliesWelcome. Read more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-1Qq.","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":[160,35,39],"class_list":["post-7094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press_releases","tag-aafes","tag-military","tag-the-army-air-force-exchange-service"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2021\/09\/30\/exchanges-on-wheels-in-high-demand-as-military-installations-welcome-afghan-guests\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"\u2018Exchanges on Wheels\u2019 in High Demand as Military Installations Welcome Afghan Guests","url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2021\/09\/30\/exchanges-on-wheels-in-high-demand-as-military-installations-welcome-afghan-guests\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2021\/09\/30\/exchanges-on-wheels-in-high-demand-as-military-installations-welcome-afghan-guests\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/09\/Mobile-Field-Exchange-JB-MDL-2-e1633025866478.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/09\/Mobile-Field-Exchange-JB-MDL-2-e1633025866478.jpg"},"articleSection":"Press Releases","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Marisa Conner"}],"creator":["Marisa Conner"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Exchange Newsroom","logo":""},"keywords":["aafes","military","the army & air force exchange service"],"dateCreated":"2021-09-30T18:24:41Z","datePublished":"2021-09-30T18:24:41Z","dateModified":"2021-09-30T18:24:41Z"},"rendered":"