Support at the Tip of the Spear: Exchange Opens Expanded Store in Poland
BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland – The Exchange officially opened its new store at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA), marking a significant milestone in enhancing services for service members stationed in Poland.
The upgraded facility, aimed at improving the well-being and morale of troops, was celebrated with a grand-opening ceremony attended by representatives from the Exchange, the 139th Regional Support Group, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), Polish leadership and support organizations such as the USO and Red Cross.
The larger store provides a wider range of products and serves as a crucial upgrade from the mobile field Exchange (MFE) at BPTA. It offers Soldiers daily necessities and comfort—vital for maintaining focus and well-being during their deployment in remote, demanding conditions.
“This expanded Exchange allows us to provide Soldiers stationed in Poland with an even greater variety of products, furthering our mission to improve their well-being and morale,” said Col. Everett (Bud) Lacroix, Exchange Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa Region commander. “At the Exchange, we live by our motto: ‘We go where you go.’ This store is a prime example of how we support the troops, wherever they are called to serve. Whether it’s snacks or toiletries, the Exchange here to ensure deployed troops have what they need to stay mission-ready.”
The facility represents the culmination of years of planning, beginning with the first MFE opening in 2016, followed by a Direct Operation Exchange-Tactical (DOX-T) tent store conversion in 2019 and then the construction of a DOX-T modular-style Retail Logistics Building in 2023. The new space supports troops involved in multinational training exercises in Poland.
Col. Everett “Bud” Lacroix, Exchange Commander, Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region, with Spc. Brennan Litzinger, the first customer at the Exchange’s new store at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA) in Poland. Litzinger is with 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment and is part of the NATO Multinational Battle Group Poland that trains with NATO allies,
The expanded Exchange is already making a noticeable impact on Soldiers’ well-being. Spc. Jacob Parrot, an Armor Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, expressed his appreciation for the improved store.
“The old trailer they had for the Exchange had things like snacks that we can purchase, but I’d have to say this new store is a major upgrade, and they got more things that we need. … It definitely gives you a lot more.”
Pvt. 1st Class Candace Brown, a Human Resources Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment out of Fort Stewart, also appreciated the new store.
“There’s more stuff to choose from than the trailer. This new building is nice and has a lot more stuff.”
Brown also noted the increased convenience for Soldiers, especially with the store’s proximity to barracks.
“It’s closer to where most of us have to walk from at our barracks,” she said, “I think this store is something to look forward to when coming to work or leaving work each day.”
Capt. Victoria Joseph, Headquarters Company Commander with the 139th Regional Support Group, Louisiana Army National Guard, helped plan for the store enjoyed seeing the warm reception.
“It’s wonderful to actually see the Soldiers’ response to walking in and feeling like they were back at home,” she said. “It made everything that we had to put into getting this store open well worth it. It was definitely rewarding.”
The 139th Regional Support Group played a key role in coordinating the opening and ensuring that the Exchange met the needs of troops stationed in the area.
“The opening of the new location at BPTA is a true reflection of the outstanding teamwork that drives us every day. From IT, MD, LG, RE, EG and our teams in Grafenwoehr and Sembach, to the U.S. military in Poland, every directorate came together to make this happen,” said Alex Mamaril, general manager of the Grafenwoehr/Poland Consolidated Exchange. “We moved from a MFE to a fully expanded modular store in just three weeks, increasing the retail space by over 2,000 square feet. This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of every single person involved. It’s a privilege to serve our troops, and this achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together.”
For more photos from the grand opening and a look inside the store, check out this Flickr album.
Celebrating the grand opening of an expanded Direct Operation Exchange – Tactical (DOX-T) at Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA), Poland, are, from left: Col. Everett “Bud” Lacroix, Exchange Commander, Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region; Alex Mamaril, General Manager, Grafenwoehr Consolidated Exchange; Adriana Piechalak, Exchange Poland Retail Business Manager; LTC Hal Bridges, 139th Regional Support Group Commander; 1st Sgt. Micki Bryant, HHC 1st Sgt., 139th RSG; Lt. Col. William Branch, battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Battle Group Poland;
