Department of Defense’s Oldest and Largest Exchange Service to Mark 112 Years of Service and Support Published July 18, 2007 By Judd Anstey AAFES Media DALLAS -- On July 25, 1895, the War Department issued General Order number 46 directing post commanders to establish an exchange at every post where practicable. As the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) marks its 112th birthday on July 25, the military command's mission remains basically the same: provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. The Dyess AAFES facilities will be celebrating all day Wednesday, July 25th with specials, sales, and events. See complete details in the flyer located at the BX. No matter where military members serve, AAFES continues to provide a comprehensive and customer-focused benefit. In addition to its flagship main base and post exchange facilities, AAFES operates convenience stores, car care centers, military clothing sales stores, fast food restaurants, retail concession services like flower shops and gift stores, vending, telecommunications support and a wide variety of personal services through more than 3,100 facilities in 31 countries, five US territories and 49 states. Just like the merchants who supplied provisions to America's troops in the late 1800s, AAFES associates continue to live and work alongside those they serve. In fact, more than 400 AAFES associates are currently deployed to Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, actively delivering a slice of Americana to troops through 53 BX/PX operations, 72 phone centers and 193 fast food restaurants scattered throughout the region. With a rich history comes a promising future of an even stronger exchange benefit. As the largest and most senior exchange service of the uniformed services, AAFES continues to seek efficiencies and initiatives that will improve the customer's shopping experiences. "We are focusing on building communities where shoppers feel an emotional attachment and a sense of place," said AAFES' Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Eaton. "By working with installation planners and all relevant DoD stakeholders, we are focused on bolstering AAFES' ability to positively impact military recruitment and retention." Since its establishment in 1895, AAFES has been involved in 14 major contingencies (to include the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) and several dozen humanitarian and disaster relief contingencies.