{"id":2251,"date":"2016-01-08T11:06:49","date_gmt":"2016-01-08T17:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2016-01-08T11:06:49","modified_gmt":"2016-01-08T17:06:49","slug":"nearly-11000-deployed-service-members-attend-star-wars-screenings-in-middle-east-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2251","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 11,000 deployed service members attend Star Wars screenings in Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS <\/b>\u2013 The Force was strong with troops deployed to the Middle East this holiday season as nearly 11,000 service members and Department of Defense civilian employees attended <\/span><\/span><\/span>downrange screenings<\/span><\/a> of \u201cStar Wars: The Force Awakens,\u201d courtesy of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Disney.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In all, 75 screenings were held between Dec. 20 and 28 at installations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Some events featured <\/span>costumed patrons<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>photo ops<\/span><\/a> and trivia contests. Attendance was strong enough in Iraq to warrant overflow seating or additional showtimes at three of the screening locations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ken Caldwell, senior vice president of North American sales and distribution for The Walt Disney Studios, appeared at screenings in UAE and Afghanistan to <\/span>thank troops for their service<\/span><\/a> and pass out <\/span>special Star Wars Military coins<\/span><\/a> to service members. Caldwell was personally escorted into Afghanistan by Sgt. Maj. Keith Craig, senior enlisted advisor for the Exchange in the Europe\/Southwest Asia area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what the Exchange is all about \u2013 showing the men and women brave enough to defend this country that their service is valued,\u201d said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, the Exchange\u2019s senior enlisted advisor. \u201cThe Exchange is proud to provide America\u2019s deployed service members with the opportunity to participate in such an exciting and historic worldwide event.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Screenings were held at 12 different installations, starting with Camp Al Minhad in Dubai on Dec. 20 and\u00a0ending on Dec. 28 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. \u201cStar Wars: The Force Awakens\u201d is one of the latest in a long-running series of first-run film screenings brought to troops by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a> or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or <\/span>hammettc@aafes.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t

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