Army & Air Force Exchange Service ‘Super Sizing’ Exchange Benefit in Germany and Japan DALLAS - This fall brings great anticipation for customers of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. AAFES’ newest exchanges soon to open on Ramstein and Kadena ABs will be the largest and most extensive operations military communities have ever seen. It’s all in an effort to improve service to “the best customers in the world”. Scheduled to open Sept. 21, the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center’s BX/PX is the biggest ever built. Coming in at 444,000 sq. ft., the $104 million KMCC exchange is some 160,000 sq. ft. bigger than AAFES’ next biggest facility, the PX at Ft. Campbell, KY. Inside, authorized exchange shoppers will enjoy one-stop shopping in an American style mall, rich in European flair. In addition to a 39,000 sq. ft. food court with seating for more than 1,000 diners, AAFES’ first Johnny Rockets as well as the European military community’s only Manchu Wok and Captain D’s restaurants, the BX/PX will feature some concessions never seen before in an American exchange. Among the 32 permanent stores, four kiosks and 15 roving concessions, military shoppers will find a Kaethe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, Josef Seibel European name brand shoes as well as Oakley sunglasses, apparel and accessories. KMCC will also house other well-known stores such Harley Davidson Shop, Body Shop, Life Style Furniture, Haribo Candy and Hof Brau Haus. “Putting these products and services all under one roof is creating a buzz throughout Europe,” said the KMCC’s Store Manager Stephanie Burns. “We started receiving calls last month from shoppers as far away as Italy and the UK. Some groups are even coordinating bus trips to come out and shop the world’s largest exchange. While we’re excited about welcoming shoppers from all over Europe, we’re also looking forward to meeting the day to day retail needs of Soldiers and Airmen assigned to this part of Germany as well as the Marines and Sailors visiting the lodging facility or passing through the PAX terminal just across the street.” Beyond shopping, the KMCC will be an entertainment destination for visitors and locals alike thanks to a four-plex, AAFES-operated movie theater with stadium seating and a host of Air Force Service facilities including a 350-room Air Force Lodging operation and a spacious outdoor recreation area that’s home to a towering two-story climbing wall. “Construction on the KMCC project started Nov 2004 and completion has been phased over the last six months as the visiting quarters have been completed and the food court recently opened in August,” said AAFES’ Senior Vice President of Real Estate Mike Gividen. “The project was made possible through the joint cooperation of AAFES, Air Force Services, USAFE Civil Engineers and the German Government. It’s been a collaborative effort involving numerous contractors, consultants and project managers all working tirelessly to build the most unique exchange facility in the world.” Barely a week after he cuts the ribbon and opens the doors to the KMCC BX/PX, AAFES’ Commander, Maj. Gen. Keith Thurgood, will head to Japan to open AAFES’ second largest exchange on Kadena AB. Kadena’s Shopping Center will also bring shopping and entertainment options together under one roof. Nine restaurants, 26 concessions, an MCSS and a massive BX that takes up almost the entire second floor of the 324,000 sq. ft. building will welcome shoppers to the Pacific’s largest exchange. The new exchange complex will actually open in phases. Phased opening of services is common for a facility of this size. The main store will host a grand opening on Oct. 2 while food court and concession operations will open their doors on Nov. 5. Once Maj. Gen. Thurgood cuts the ribbon on the $79 million Kadena BX in early October, the facility, executed by AAFES through the Air Force Center for Engineering and Environment, will be the second largest exchange in the world. “Since he arrived two years ago, Maj. Gen. Thurgood has continually reinforced the AAFES team to ‘solve for yes, and be part of the solution,’” said Gividen. “I think this project certainly demonstrates our commitment to the service members of Kadena and provides them a world-class facility.”
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