• DALLAS 

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is making significant investments to modernize and upgrade operations, with new constructions, image upgrades, and expansions at remote and isolated locations.
 

“BIG THREE”

Dozens of major improvements have been completed, or are underway, since the Army’s original pilot program targeting quality-of-life improvements at its “Big Three” installations — Fort Irwin, Calif., Fort Polk, La., and Fort Wainwright, Alaska — launched in 2020.  

These three installations have seen major improvements, including nearly $17 million in upgrades to the Fort Wainwright PX, Express and Burger King; a new $16-million Express at Fort Irwin; and a $2.9-million Express upgrade at Fort Polk.  

After the “Big Three” initiative was established, the Army added Fort Hood, Texas, as a fourth installation. The Exchange responded with related projects to improve the shopping experience at Fort Hood.

“The Exchange has completed or awarded all quality-of-life projects originally planned at the start of the Army’s ‘Big Three’ program,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor.  

“This collective achievement is a result of hard work and collaboration with installation partners, ensuring the best customers in the world are taken care of no matter where their service takes them,” he added.   

OTHER PROJECTS 

The Exchange’s focus did not stop at the “Big Three,” and evaluated other remote or hardship locations to ensure their facilities best represented the brand standard for customers.  

That led to additional quality-of-life projects, including:

• Eglin AFB (Duke Field), Fla.: New 3,000-square-foot Express featuring a Hunt Brothers Pizza, barber shop and covered fuel pumps; more than 85 percent of the project cost was funded by the Exchange. 
• Columbus AFB, Miss: Main store renovation, combining with relocated Express and fuel station; 70 percent of the total project cost was funded by the Exchange. 
• Fort McCoy, Wisc.: Express update to integrate Military Clothing Store; 94 percent of the total project cost was funded by the Exchange. 
• Dugway PG, Utah: Express image upgrade and addition of Hunt Brothers Pizza; 86 percent of the total project cost was funded by the Exchange.

  Projects at similar remote and isolated facilities from mid-May 2024 through approved projects scheduled throughout 2026 total nearly $92 million in investment directly from Exchange earnings.

  “These investments are a testament to the strength of the virtuous circle that is the 130-year-old Exchange benefit,” Martinez said. “One hundred percent of Exchange earnings are returned to the communities the organization is honored to serve.  

“In 2024, the Exchange achieved $492 million in dividend-eligible earnings, with $295 million generated for budget-constrained quality-of-life programs — without burdening American taxpayers.  

“In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community.”
 

LATEST BRAND STANDARDS

In addition to new facility construction, major image upgrades to PXs, BXs, Expresses, name-brand restaurants, troop stores and other facilities bring Exchange operations up to the latest brand standards with new signage, branding, flooring and lighting, exterior designs and other improvements.
“Whether renovating a main store, adding favorite dining options or simply providing more fuel stations, these upgrades are key to strengthening recruiting, readiness and resiliency,” Martinez said.  

“No matter where our nation’s military mission goes, the Exchange benefit goes where service members and their families go to provide best tastes of home, tax-free and with military exclusive pricing,” he stated. 

Source: AAFES 

Edited by Larry Lapka