Courtesy Photo | Soldiers walked the aisles of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Post Exchange on...... read more read more
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By Army Pfc. Nathan Veach
Task Force Rugged
Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan – Hundreds of Soldiers and civilian contractors lined up outside the doors of the new Army and Air Force Exchange Service Post Exchange in preparation for its grand opening, Sept. 17.
"Getting the AAFES PX here in Sharana makes us feel like we are back at home," said Staff Sgt. Ian Roberts, of Killeen, Texas. "I no longer have to have my wife send me personal hygiene products."
After much anticipation for AAFES to arrive in Sharana, the Fort Hood, Texas, native and manager of the new PX, Perlita Laurel, proudly announced the grand opening to the personnel at the base.
Prior to the AAFES run PX opening, Sharana relied on an AAFES imprest fund store, which is a military-operated site usually in small, remote places where direct-operation exchanges can not be provided. The imprest fund store was open only a few times a month and was not stocked with enough merchandise to serve the growing population at the FOB.
The leaders of Task Force Rugged decided that an AAFES run PX would better serve the Soldiers.
With a team effort by the Soldiers of TF Rugged, the store was fully operational in just a few months. The Rugged Personal Security Detachment built temporary shelves for both the store and a warehouse, which held the merchandise prior to the arrival of metal shelves supplied by AAFES.
The Rugged communications specialists assisted the management in setting up the cash registers, internet connections, Eagle Cash dispensers and satellites needed to complete the set-up of the exchange.
"Not only will this PX serve Soldiers here on Sharana, it will also serve as a warehouse site for merchandise at remote, smaller bases such as Ghazni, Ghardez and Orgun-E, which are closer to FOB Sharana than to Bagram Airfield. These sites will more easily stock their stores from FOB Sharana rather than Bagram," said Command Sgt. Major Frank Busch, of TF Rugged. "We are trying to help Soldiers all over the battlefield."
Just before the grand opening, the AAFES employees danced around the aisles happily preparing the opening of the shop for the personnel on the base.
"I came to Afghanistan to help the Soldiers the best I can and make their lives easier," Laurel said. Laurel, an employee of AAFES since 1979, joined the company while her husband served in the Army and has been working in the exchanges ever since. Originally, the North Shopette manager at Bagram Airfield, Perlita was promoted to store manager to run the new PX.
Soldiers agreed that the store provides an improvement to the base and makes their lives easier.
The store sells everything from candy and snacks, to health and beauty supplies, to electronics and DVDs.
On opening day of the store, the sales totalled more than $45,000. Laurel and the Sharana AAFES team said they were very pleased with the turnout at the store for the first day. They hope the business continues.
Lt. Col. Christopher Schirner, deputy commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade of Fort Hood, Texas, and Laurel cut the ribbon to "a better life for the Soldiers of Sharana." As the forward operating base grows, life is getting better for the Soldiers here at the base.
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2007 08:25 |
| Story ID: | 12595 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,356 |
| Downloads: | 343 |
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