Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Gillons Terpsma | A soldier pays for his items at the new AAFES Mobile Field Exchange located at Land...... read more read more
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Imagine working a 12-hour day in the heat with no luxuries of home. No comforts to treat oneself. Not a cold Monster Energy drink to quench one’s thirst or a stick of jerky to satisfy the craving for a snack. If only there was a way to fill that need.
Nearly two weeks ago an Army & Air Force Exchange Service Mobile Field Exchange opened its doors in an effort to provide service members the means to purchase drinks, snacks, tobacco, and other comfort items.
This MFE consists of one trailer with stock on shelves and two additional trailers, which are used for back stock and for storing items that have been ordered by customers and are waiting to be picked up.
This AAFES MFE receives new merchandise every week, typically on Wednesday. In addition, items that this location does not carry may be able to be special ordered.
“The best part is being able to give back. My entire life has been Army” said Ashlei Wyant, an AAFES employee for over three years and a member of an Army family for her entire life,
Wyant has worked at many different AAFES locations. After being stationed at Baumholder, Germany, she volunteered to come to this location to work for six months.
“I love seeing everyone happy,” said Wyant.
While there are two permanent AAFES locations in Poland, the MFEs are bringing that count up. This location is one of five MFEs located in the country.
In its two short weeks of operation at this location, this MFE has already seen an average of 350 customers per day. Nick Hawes, an AAFES manager, fully expects this number to increase after this week as most units are headed to the field for Saber Strike.
Saber Strike is a US Army Europe led coalition with Eastern European countries in a mass training exercise to enhance partnerships.
“It’s really good that they brought it here" said Private 1st Class Edith Maldanado, a driver for Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavlry Regiment. "Now we don’t have to go all the way to town to get what we need.”
Before this AAFES MFE moved to its current location, a service member's only means for fulfilling their needs meant a drive into the nearby town of Drawsko Pomorskie. Many do not have vehicles here, which made going to town difficult.
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
This AAFES MFE is located near Konotop Barracks at Land Forces Training Center Drawsko and will be located there for the next seven months.
The MFE not only provides service members with basic essentials to get through the duty day; It also offers the comforts of home no matter where they are located.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2018 07:43 |
| Story ID: | 279226 |
| Location: | OLESZNO, PL |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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