{"id":2437,"date":"2016-05-17T11:02:25","date_gmt":"2016-05-17T16:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2437"},"modified":"2016-05-17T11:56:41","modified_gmt":"2016-05-17T16:56:41","slug":"exchange-dla-launch-joint-effort-to-offer-frozen-meat-to-u-s-forces-in-iraq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2437","title":{"rendered":"Exchange, DLA Launch Joint Effort to Offer Frozen Meat to U.S. Forces in Iraq"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Frozen<\/a>DALLAS \u2013<\/span><\/b> The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) have teamed up to <\/span>offer frozen meat to service members and others serving in Iraq<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Exchanges at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad Embassy Complex started carrying the meat in early April. The initiative lets the Exchange offer U.S. meat at U.S. prices, a benefit that had been unavailable in the area since 2013, and allows those serving at the locations to engage in morale-boosting activities such as cookouts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis joint effort between the Exchange and DLA brings yet another taste of home to authorized patrons in Iraq, including Soldiers, Airmen, diplomats and contractors,\u201d said Roger Neumann, Exchange vice president of contingency plans. \u201cWith the Exchange, DLA and departments of Defense and State working in conjunction to make it happen, this is truly a \u2018whole of government\u2019 effort to bring the old-fashioned, American-style cookout back to Iraq.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Exchange has been serving authorized shoppers in Iraq with dry goods since returning to the country last year. However, the Exchange\u2019s primary means of moving goods into the country are not currently set up to transport frozen goods. The new cooperative arrangement with DLA allows the meat to be transported using DLA Troop Support subsistence prime vendor contractor ANHAM, LLC\u2019s normal support lines for dining facilities, requiring no additional transport infrastructure to bring the frozen goods into Iraq.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“DLA Troop Support and the Exchange worked together to find the best solution to deliver frozen meat to Iraq for Exchange customers,\u201d said Anthony Amendolia, DLA Troop Support \u2013 Subsistence\u2019s customer operations chief for the Europe & Middle East Region. \u201cWe feel a great sense of accomplishment and look forward to continue working with the Exchange to support the warfighter and other customers in Iraq.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the availability of the meat has already spurned cookouts among Soldiers, Airmen, diplomats and contractors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“It was really nice that we could have a barbecue in the middle of Iraq,\u201d said Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Lauderback. \u201cI didn\u2019t even think that would ever be possible, but the Exchange and DLA made it happen. Nothing brings people together like a nice barbecue.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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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