U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Beasley, 7th Bomb Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Eddie Webb, 7th Bomb Wing command chief, cut a ribbon marking the reopening of the base movie theater Aug. 8, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The base theater is now playing movies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for free to anyone with base access. Food, snacks, beverages to include adult beverages and Starbucks products will be available for purchase. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylsee Wisseman/Released)

Dyess brings free movies back to the big screen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kylsee Wisseman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Dyess base theater opened its doors Aug. 8, for the first playing of a movie here in nearly two years.

The movie theater closed in 2012 when the Army and Air Force Exchange Service reformatted their movies in such a way that it was no longer fiscally feasible for AAFES to fund a projector. It remained in use for training, hosting guest speakers, retirements, graduations and various ceremonies.

Thanks to a donation from a local private organization, the 7th FSS was able to procure the equipment needed to reopen the movie theater. "When we were given the opportunity to make movies available for showing in the theater again, the 7th FSS took that chance," said 1st Lt. Elizabeth Clark, 7th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight chief.

Movies at the theater are free to everyone with base access and will be shown Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m.

By partnering with the Navy Motion Picture Service, a subscription movie service, the 7th FSS can show movies that span the spectrum of film ratings, from "G" to "R," some of which will be first-run feature films.

"We are here to take care of the Airmen and their families," said Clark. "We feel that opening the theater will help our Airmen relax after a long week at work and help them go back to work the next week to accomplish the mission."

To enable the operations and upkeep of the facility, food, snacks, beverages to include adult beverages and Starbucks products will be available for purchase.

"My husband and I love that the theater on base is showing free movies," said Kate Allen, Dyess spouse. "We are excited for another activity to do without having to pay a lot or drive out of town for a fun date night."

To see what movies are playing next, logon to http://www.dyessfss.com/theater.html.