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AAFES…Making this deployed location a better place

  • Published
  • By Maj. Joseph Thomas
  • 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Welcome to this deployed location! After spending six months getting ready for this deployment, you finally arrived. 

You had a list, you checked it twice, and you made sure you had everything you needed to survive away from home for four months. One day while looking through your bags, you realize you forgot to pack extra shaving cream, a tooth brush, a few more sets of PT gear, your thumb drive, that CD you love, you name it. Now what do you do? Where do you turn? 

Just right around the corner is the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to the rescue! AAFES is deployed just like you. They go where you go. 

AAFES and the many associates that work for AAFES are deployed up to one year and sometimes more, working long hours and living in the same conditions as you do. They are an important part of the total force, taking care of all military forces passing through and remaining with the 379th AEW. AAFES is also always looking for ways to improve their operation and appreciate customer feedback to build a solid foundation of support and provide items needed for a better deployment. 

The 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron hosted a joint AAFES and 379th ESVS town hall meeting Dec. 5. Representatives were invited from all organization on base to ask questions and provide feedback on goods and services at the 379th AEW. More than 20 different unit representatives attended the meeting to hear from the 379th ESVS and AAFES leadership to learn about and discuss everything from how AAFES receives their merchandise to the shipping and receiving process. 

"For most items, the supply chain can be up to six weeks depending on the origin of shipping and country clearances," said Hammad Deeb, 379th AEW BX store manager. "We order every week to ensure we keep a full stock of necessary items." 

Unit reps provided feedback on items such as an increase in civilian clothing to wear off base, greater selection of fitness/athletic shoes and apparel, commercial CDC and WAPS study guides and other options for professional gear. 

The panel also discussed the use of AAFES online shopping opportunities and the possibility of setting up an online ordering center at the Millennium Village exchange.
The Millennium Village will also be opening a BX with a wider selection of merchandise to include more of the current items already offered and an expanded assortment of other merchandise. 

"We are very excited to open the MV store," Deeb said. "When the MV store opens, the Coalition Compound BX will convert to a mini-BX offering basic supplies for customer convenience." 

The meeting answered several questions and concerns from deployers and provided a great avenue for AAFES to share updates and information. The panel also provided a great venue for 379th ESVS and AAFES to educate customers on the different services they provide can provide now and in the future. 

The AAFES and 379th ESVS Advisory Counsel will be held on a monthly basis in the future. The next meeting will be scheduled for January and provide those newly deployed members the opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns. 

"AAFES is focused on making 379th AEW a better place and providing the best selection and service possible," said Ellen Hight, AAFES General Manager.