Bagram opens new MWR for PAX travelers

Published April 3, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Representatives from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and Army and Air Force Exchange Service hosted dozens of passenger terminal patrons at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the new morale, welfare and recreation facility at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 1, 2012.

The new MWR was set up at the site of the old pax terminal, located across the street from the current terminal. It supports a Pizza Hut, Subway sandwich shop, Green Bean Coffee Shop, a Non-Appropriated Funds store, wireless internet and other comforts.

"This whole project has pretty much been a joint effort," said 1st Lt. Chasmine Jones, 455 Expeditionary Force Support Squadron passenger terminal project officer. "It's a compilation of AAFES, Civil Engineering, the Communication Squadron, Finance, and all of the various troops to help us out and try to get the facility up and running.

"It's bigger and better than I thought it was going to be," she said. "I'm just excited and appreciative of all the support [we received from] both the Air Force and garrison supporters."

Lt. Col. Katrina Stephens, 455 EFSS commander, explained that the new MWR facility outside the pax terminal is a true partnership between the armed forces and AAFES.

Stephens said, "We created an environment where all the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, coalition partners, civilians, contractors and other transient personnel can come and relax while they are awaiting their final destination, wherever that may be."

After the ribbon cutting, service members transiting through the hub were open to participate in a giveaway, purchase food from the vendors and rest in the rows of seats available.
Several patrons anticipated that the facility will have an immediate impact for transient personnel.

Capt. Emily Meredith is the 455th AEW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Part of her duties requires her to take multiple trips to various forward operating bases. This means she travels through the Bagram pax terminal often and at all hours of the day.

"There will definitely be better access to food and snack," said Meredith. "Also, more space for people to sprawl out and sleep, other than in the terminal. When going from here to somewhere else it would be beneficial, depending on the dining facility's hours. You never know when the next time will be when you can grab chow. Also, [when coming into Bagram at odd hours] your eating options are wait until morning or try to find someone to give you directions to a DFAC for a sandwich. "

Senior Airman Cully Ruiz, two-time deployer, said having the new options available is a big boost to morale.

"We all love fun comforts," she said. "People love coffee, pizza, and rest. Most of the time when we get off the plane, we are all so tired. So, if we came here and saw pizza hut and coffee then it would be a source of excitement; especially for first-time deployers. It could be something familiar to see and calm some nerves, helping them get ready to do their jobs faster."

Brig. Gen. Thomas Deale, 455th AEW commander, agreed.

"The new facility was designed to address the needs of U.S. service members, coalition partners and contractors as they deploy and redeploy throughBagram," said Deale. "Having Subways, Pizza Hut and a Green Bean will offer them a taste of home as they transition through."