Deployed Troops Get a Taste of Home
By Sharon Anderson, 11.11.04
American troops can now get a burger made their way, right away. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) announced Nov. 8 the opening of several fast food restaurants in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The option of fast food will be added to the list of military quality of life programs aimed to bring a touch of home to deployed troops. Other things on that list are e-mail and instant messenger chat.
Service members said that they were excited about the meal choices that are now available to deployed troops, according to interviews with the American Forces Press Service.
"This is a good morale boost for sure," said Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephanie Heck, a member of 332nd Expeditionary Operational Support Squadron, deployed to Balad. "It's also nice to have a little something from back home."
Soon, 77 restaurants will be in operation. So far, the AAFES opened a Burger King and Subway in Kandahar, Afghanistan; Subway restaurants at Ganci, Kyrgyzstan, and Camp Danger, Iraq; and Burger King and Pizza Hut restaurants at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
At Balad, the two new restaurants generated $22 thousand in sales the very first day, according to the AAFES.
More Restaurants Planned
In Afghanistan, another Subway is also planned for bases in Balad, Bagram, Bucca and South Victory. Mirroring popular stateside duos, the AAFES is planning restaurant combos for Dairy Queen/Orange Julius and Popeye's Chicken. In additon, a combination Dairy Queen/Orange Julius is projected for Kandahar and a Dairy Queen for Camp Phoenix.
AAFES bought a portable Blimpie Xpress trailer for use at remote training locations. It currently supports troops in training at Fort Bliss, Texas. A second location is at Dona Ana Base Camp, a remote training site for units on the way to Iraq.
Starbucks and the American Red Cross Team Up
Java giant Starbucks and the American Red Cross are joining forces to deliver hot coffee to deployed American troops.
Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Jim Donald said during a recent Capitol Hill press conference that his company would provide 50 thousand pounds of free, whole-bean coffee. This coffee will be brewed and distributed by Red Cross workers to troops serving in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The coffee shipment overseas will begin in about three or four weeks, just in time for the holiday season.
