Highlights
For more than 100 years, AAFES’ mission has been
to support the men and women of the Armed Forces around the world during
military operations. "We go where you go" epitomizes AAFES’ mission,
particularly when our service members are stationed far away from
American shores. At war and in peacetime, AAFES provides Soldiers and
Airmen with the service and merchandise they need to make their lives
more comfort-able. AAFES also maintains service and support to family
members and troops back home. AAFES’ partnership to the services’
morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) programs reflect loyalty and
dedication to the service member beyond the sale at the cash register.
1800s
 1895:
The War Department issued General Order number 46 directing
post commanders to establish an exchange at every post, where
practicable.
1910s
1917: The
first real test of the Post Exchange system came when the United States
entered World War I. The American Expeditionary Forces landed in France.
Exchanges were unable to meet the needs of the greatly expanded Army.
Civilian welfare agencies would provide canteen services for American
troops during World War I.
1918: End of
World War I with the Armistice. After the war, the secretary of war sent
to Europe a committee headed by Raymond Fosdick. The Fosdick Committee
was to report on the morale conditions of the American Expeditionary
Forces and this was the first time that the morale of the Army overseas
would be studied.
1919: The
Fosdick Committee provided the secretary of War a report of its study of
the American Expeditionary Forces in France. It recommended that the
Army provide its own system for furnishing morale and canteen activities
to the troops.
The first documented use of term "PX" was found in
the book of exchange council meetings (1910-1920) at Fort McKinley,
Philippines. Exchanges were usually referred to as canteens.
1920s
1921: The
first centralization of post exchanges in Hawaii took place at Schofield
Barracks. The post exchange was organized and replaced all regimental
and associated activities in the various organizations.
1930s
1933: HASC
issued report of its 1932 hearings, the first in-depth congressional
inquiry into the non-appropriated fund system. Congress placed the first
restrictions on post exchange operations and required the first official
justification for military exchanges.
1939: Lessons
learned from our experience in World War I, providing service to the
largest U.S. force deployed to that date, led to increased developments
and improvements.
1940s
1941: The Army
Exchange Service (AES) was nearly six months old and undergoing
organizational changes when the U.S. officially entered WW II in
December.  Although
the QM had been to war before, the AES was going to its first war and
within several years had extended services to most locations wherever
U.S. troops were deployed. Serving those who serve became the mission of
the AES as military operations expanded in Europe, the Pacific and back
home. "We go where you go" became a reality.
1942: As the
number of Soldiers fighting in WW II increased, the immensity of
supplying Soldiers worldwide became the most immediate challenge. At
some locations, exchanges were restricted to the sale of articles of
convenience and necessity. Rationing was common. PX operations during WW
II were varied and spread across the globe.
The AES issued its first catalog, generating 80,000
orders from American troops stationed overseas. Some overseas exchange
systems developed their own gift catalogs, featuring merchandise
indigenous to the area.
Following the end of hostilities in Europe, the
AES stayed behind providing continual support to the occupation forces.
Post WW II operations in war-ravaged Europe saw an increase in AES
operations. Nearly 80 new exchanges were required to supply the
immediate needs of the Soldiers and their dependents. For most Soldiers
serving overseas, the AES represented a second family because the
exchange personnel were friendly and the items carried in the PX
reminded Soldiers of home.
1950s
1950: It was
four years after the Korean Conflict began that regional offices were
introduced in the U.S. and six years after that before worldwide fiscal
integration would be effected. The reorganized Army and Air Force
Exchange Service sought to improve customer satisfaction in Korea
through Vietnam. Rapid exchange installations, merchandise expansion and
mobile exchanges were some of the goals achieved. As troop populations
shifted, so did the exchanges. Efforts to nourish the Soldier’s
essential needs became the exchanges primary objective. AAFES strived to
maintain the welfare and the morale of the troops. Although at war, the
PX would offer a little bit of home to war-weary Soldiers and Airmen.
1952: Mobile
exchanges began operating extensively in Korea when 18 converted buses
were as-signed to the forward areas for the 8th Army. The .rst buses
were used in "Operation Reindeer," a program that provided gift items to
troops for holiday shopping.
1954: AFEX
began operations in Spain, Netherlands and Italy.
1960s
 1965:
Exchange operations were transferred from the Navy ex-changes. This was
the official beginning of the Vietnam Regional Exchange. The principle
of the mobile units from the Korean conflict was developed into Tactical
Field Exchanges (TFE) in Vietnam. TFEs were operated by the military in
areas where there were no AAFES operations. In 1972, the Pacific
Exchange System merged into AAFES. The Navy also desired that AAFES take
over Class VI operations, including club, mess and retail sales.
The exchanges were faced with the problem of
setting up and operating food outlets to serve the troops with
essentially the same American foods that could be obtained at home.
Training local nationals with food preparation and sanitation was also
complicated with the technical problems of storage and refrigerated food
transportation because of the hot, Vietnamese climate.
1969: A
one-year test began on "integrated management" for CONUS exchanges at
Sixth Army posts and Strategic Air Command bases. Under this concept,
AAFES (through the Area Support Centers) was responsible for operating
and managing exchanges, instead of the commanders. The test was directed
by the vice chiefs of the Army and the Air Force.
1970s
1970: Based on
the favorable results of the one-year test the Chief, AAFES, assumed
operational control and responsibility for all Army and Air Force
exchanges in the continental United States. This was the first step of
the integrated management of exchanges worldwide under AAFES.
1972: With the
announcement of a major escalation in the rate of troop withdrawals in
Vietnam, immediate action was taken to stop the flow of goods and led to
the "Deactivation of Vietnam Regional Exchange." This specified actions
to be taken upon cease-.re and withdrawal of AAFES associates and
services.
1973: The Vietnam Regional
Exchange entered the area of Post Redeployment. From this time until
1975, operations were carried out somewhat routinely.
1975: It was important at this
time that the exchange not contribute to the panic that was seizing the
Vietnamese. However, behind the scenes, merchandise and equipment were
being shipped out of the country using every available means. But up
until the final withdrawal day, the exchange provided support. The final
associates opened the exchange on the morning of April 28th and were
hastily evacuated April 29th.
1980s
 1981:
After the inauguration of President Reagan, 52 hostages held in Iran
were freed. AAFES was involved in preparing for their return; hanging
"Welcome Home" banners and getting the retail store and food court in
Wiesbaden, Germany, ready for the their visit. AAFES associates prepared
for everything, knowing that it was in their stores that the hostages
would receive their first haircut, first hamburger, or first cigarette
since their release after 444 days of captivity.
1983: AAFES’ response to
Operation Urgent Fury on the island of Grenada would be the first of its
kind since the withdrawal from Southeast Asia.
1989: The AAFES family supported
Operation Just Cause in Panama, which served as a rehearsal for the
challenges ahead in the Middle East.
1990s
1990: Operation Desert Storm
became the largest deployment of U.S. Forces since WW II. AAFES prepared
to go to war as a worldwide command, building up its support virtually
from scratch. Operation Desert Shield would be the litmus test for the
efficiency of a centralized, worldwide exchange system for the Army and
Air Force.
Perhaps the most significant AAFES achievement during the early
Desert Shield was setting up an in-country distribution center. Once
established, the Saudi Distribution Center worked virtually non-stop
supporting both direct operational and Imprest fund site exchanges.
1991: AAFES associates
experienced their first bomb attack on Jan. 16. The next day, Operation
Desert Shield became Desert Storm. Hostilities ceased Feb. 27, and Army
Central Command re-quested a PX be established within Kuwait City. This
became an extremely important morale booster to Soldiers who were
fighting only the heat and loneliness. AAFES operated the only store in
the whole country of Kuwait. There was absolutely nothing else.
AAFES has also routinely provided support and services to Reserve and
National Guard units deployed and providing humanitarian assistance,
such as road building and well drilling to Central American countries
such as El Salvador and Honduras.
In addition, AAFES has provided support during national emergencies,
such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and forest fires.
Mt. Pinatubo erupted for the first time in 600 years in the
Philippines, destroying Clark AB. AAFES provided evacuation support at
U.S. points of entry and in Guam when 18,000 evacuees arrived at
Andersen AFB. In Okinawa, AAFES set up tactical field exchanges in tents
at the initial evacuee reception point for clearing customs and
immigration. Total damages suffered by AAFES were more than $13 million.
1992: AAFES provided support in
Operations Restore Hope and Continued Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia.
1993: AAFES deployed to Skopje,
Macedonia, in support of Operation Able Sentry, a U.N. sponsored
operation to keep Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict from spreading.
1994: AAFES-Europe set up a
tactical field exchange in Entebbe, Uganda to support military personnel
assisting with the influx of refugees.
AAFES and DeCA team up to support over 20,000 American troops
deployed to Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.
1995: AAFES opened two exchanges
in Hungary followed by a unit to the Sava River to support troops with
the peace initiative in Bosnia. AAFES operated more than 20 exchange
facilities in Croatia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina during Operation
Joint Endeavor.
 1996:
AAFES prepared to support 20,000 U.S. troops sent to Bosnia. AAFES would
operate three primary locations and an intermediate support base located
in the vicinity of Kaposvar, Hungary; a logistics support area in the
vicinity of Zagreb, Croatia, and Tuzla, Bosnia. Eight exchanges were
created at Tuzla Main (Eagle Base), Tuzla West (Comanche), Tuzla East
(Steel Castle), Lukavac, Kime, Gradacac (Gentry), Bedrock and Harmon.
Through snow, icy waters and mud, AAFES transformed in record time,
the desolate sites in Bosnia-Herzegovina into a series of retail sites
that continue to serve the Soldier and the Airman.
1996: The AAFES Home Page was
developed and implemented. Through the AAFES Website, authorized
exchange customers could .nd information about AAFES and military
installations in their area or do their shopping at the Exchange Online
Store, open to active duty, retirees, National Guard/Reserve and family
members of all branches of service. The AAFES intranet Website created a
base for corporate communication and data access needs.
1998: Reacting to renewed threats
to Kuwait by the Iraqi government, AAFES was called into action to
support troops in Saudi and Kuwait taking part in Operation Desert
Thunder.
AAFES open field exchanges in Central America to serve U.S. forces
sent to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala in an effort to
help families devastated by Hurricane Mitch.
1999: A veteran team of AAFES
associates with previous contingency experience arrived at the Tirana
(Albania) airfield to set up field exchanges in support of Operation
Novel Anvil.
2000s
2000: AAFES began managing
proprietary credit card services for AAFES, NEXCOM, the Marine Corps and
Coast Guard exchange systems. This consolidated the AAFES DPP program
and NEXCOM’s NEXCARD program into a single All-Services Private Label
Credit program know to its 1.8 million users as the Military STAR Card.
In addition to the All-Service Exchange Catalog, AAFES is the operator
of the All-Services Exchange Online Store.
2001: After the tragic events of
Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States, AAFES brought
much needed relief to rescue operations at the Pentagon and the World
Trade Center. In addition, associates continued their tradition of
support following close behind all in an effort to ensure deployed
troops were provided a piece of home away from home. AAFES set up stores
and services in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and
Djibouti; in addition to the Middle Eastern locations like Oman,
Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait. By December 2002, AAFES had 32 stores
serving troops engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom.
2002: AAFES Tactical Field
Exchanges supported more than 7,000 key personnel at the 2002 Winter
Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Exchange Select brand replaces all AAFES brand and American
Mercantile items found at all AAFES, NEXCOM, MCCS and CGES retail
stores.
AAFES swept the Popeyes International Division Silver and Gold Plate awards, winning al three Silver Plates and the only International Gold
Plate.
Blimpie Sub & Salads, Inc., recognized AAFES with its 2002
Institutional Partner of the Year Award.
AAFES responded to an urgent request by Fifth Army Logistics to
deploy its services to support the more than 1,200 soldiers and
firefighters sent to suppress wild land fires in the northwest U.S.
 2003:
AAFES faced its greatest challenge when the United States decided to
face down Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi regime. As tens of thousands of
troops poured into the Middle East, AAFES moved heaven and earth to be
there for them, working around the clock to open new stores in remote
locations where there was only sand as far as the eye could see.
Energetic AAFES associates built stores in trailers, tents and
prefabricated facilities, stocked and manned them at record pace. By the
time coalition forces crossed into Iraq, AAFES had 23 stores in the
staging areas. But AAFES didn’t stop there. AAFES followed the troops
into Iraq, opening its first store at Talil Air Base on April 9...before
Baghdad fell.
Americans wishing to show their support to U.S. Army Soldiers serving
in OIF/OEF and their families could make contributions of "Gifts for the
Homefront" gift certificates to a service member or family member.
Burger King awarded AAFES special recognition for outstanding
contributions to the Burger King business. The award acknowledged AAFES’
commitment to providing quality service to Soldiers and Airmen and their
families around the world.
Just in time for the holiday season, AAFES released its Gift Card,
providing a convenience to customers and ensuring that sales did not
leave AAFES stores.
Best of the Pacific magazine named the AAFES Web site as the best in
retail/services.
2004: The National Retail
Federation awarded AAFES the American Spirit Award to
recognize AAFES' exceptional achievement in supporting our troops in OIF/OEF. Past recipients of the prestigious
award were Presidents Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush and
Senator Bob Dole.
 Oser
Communications group, publisher of Consumer Electronics Daily News,
named AAFES one of the Consumer Electronics Daily News 2004 Consumer
Electronics Retailers of the Year.
Popeyes awarded AAFES with the International Franchise of the Year
award.
AAFES was named one of the Top 10 companies for Asian-Americans by
Diversity Inc. Magazine.
AAFES opened the first indoor movie theater for troops in Iraq. AAFES
provided the sound, projection and the food as a way of bringing "a
taste of home" to Soldiers serving in Balad, Iraq.
The AAFES SD Linens and Domestics team was awarded the International
Service Award by the Home Fashion Products Association.
AAFES was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Secretary
of the Army for its outstanding support of U.S. service members serving
in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2005 : Oser Communications Group (OCG), publisher
of Consumer Electronics Daily News, named AAFES as 2005’s Consumer
Electronics Daily News World Retailer of the Year. Having won Consumer
Electronics Retailer of the Year awards in 2004, 2003 and 2002, this
year marks the fourth consecutive year AAFES has been formally
recognized by Consumer Electronics Daily News
 AAFES
opened a new Bazaar at Camp Liberty on Jan. 12 to provide more shopping
for Soldiers and to help Iraq take another step forward in the
rebuilding of the country.
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) customers in Korea have
recently received more Name Brand Fast Food choices. Two Subway sandwich
shops opened to the delight of customers who enjoy to “eat fresh.” The
first opened Feb. 3 in the Osan Air Base Shopping Mall and another
followed the next day at the Camp Carroll Food Court.
Troops serving in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom have access
to communication tools that most veterans, only 10 years ago, could have
only dreamed about. In fact, today’s deployed service members not only
have communication capabilities, but they have choices regarding how
they choose to communicate. A limited number of tax-subsidized minutes
are made available to troops for “official” morale (free) phone calls
each month, the internet offers instant chat and email and the Army &
Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has phone centers where troops can
make as many “unofficial” (paid) calls as they desire.
 Sarah
Latona became the first Army and Air Force Exchange Service associate in
its 109-year history to receive the Defense of Freedom Medal. The
civilian equivalent of the military’s Purple Heart, the Defense of
Freedom Medal honors civilian employees of the Department of Defense
injured or killed in the line of duty. Sarah suffered multiple injuries
during an attack on a convoy she was driving in while deployed with
AAFES to Iraq.
AAFES continued to expand name brand fast food in the OEF/OIF theater
with the inclusion of Taco Bell, Cinnabon, Pizza Inn, Dairy Queen,
Orange Julius and Popeyes, along with opening the first NBFF (a Burger
King) in Djibouti, Africa.
 Marvel Comics
gave out 1 million copies of a special edition “New Avengers” comic book
to troops and their families. The comic was a free gift and tribute to
the military. As a thanks to AAFES, for sponsoring the publishing of the
comic book, the AAFES logo was discreetly inserted into select art
panels.
AAFES’ first Taco Bell opened in Iraq on July 10. More than 475
troops were served on the first day, consuming more than 3,000 tacos
and 641 burritos.
AAFES won multiple awards for video productions. The awards noted
are: Telly’s Silver Award in Corporate Image for AAFES “Unsung
Heroes;” Telly’s Finalist Award in Copywriting for AAFES “Unsung
Heroes, the Videographer Awards of Excellence for AAFES “Unsung
Heroes” The Videographer Award of Distinction for ”Robin Hood
Sandwiches Training;” Aegis Winner Award for “Robin Hood sandwiches
Training” Aegis Winner Award for AAFES "Unsung Heroes,’ and Aegis
Finalist award for “Value Fact." Founded in 1979, the Telly awards
are the premier awards honoring outstanding local, regional and
cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and
film productions.
 On July 23, PXBX facilities everywhere honored AAFES’ 110th
anniversary with a wide variety of sales, promotions and
sweepstakes.
The summer and fall of 2005 saw a record number of hurricanes hit
the coasts. AAFES provided aid and comfort to those military
members, family members, retirees and associates caught in their
paths by setting up TFEs staffed with volunteers in and around the
areas, raising money for associates, waving interest and payments
for Military Star Card customers from those areas and establishing
procedures for authorized customers to donate gift cards that could
be used at any AAFES facility by victims of the hurricanes.
To date, more than 1,700 AAFES associates have deployed to dangerous
places around the world. Those associates who deploy are true heroes,
dedicated to proudly "serve those
who serve.
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