One of the earliest references to a tactical field Exchange (TFE) in the Exchange Post archives occurs in the November 1983 issue, which featured a story headlined “’BX in a Box’ wins approval of Bright Star’s troops in Egypt.”
Established in November 1980, Exercise Bright Star began as a way of testing conditions in a desert environment. The first exercise, conducted by the Rapid Deployment Task Force at MacDill Air Force Base, had only 1,300 participants; the 2025 edition, which ran from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10, featured 1,500 U.S. troops—and military personnel from 39 other countries.
In 1983, the Rapid Deployment Task Force was redesignated U.S Central Command (USCENTCOM). The first USCENTCOM Bright Star was held in August 1983. For that exercise, the Exchange developed a deployable tactical field Exchange to be tested for use in operations in areas where there were no Exchange facilities.
A list of about 200 items was developed to stock a TFE—aka BX or PX in a box— for Bright Star. The TFEs were supplied by the Exchange but operated by military personnel.
The “box” prepared for Bright Star consisted of four MIL-VANS—20-foot-shipping containers—each stocked with a 30-day supply for a thousand troops, including snacks, beverages, minor first-aid and health supplies and more.
Along with the merchandise, the TFE managers found instructions and operating supplies: box cutters, pricing guns, trash bags, paper clips, a sign kit and more. Battery-operated calculators substituted for cash registers. To keep shipping weight down, shopping bags weren’t included.
The earliest exercises provided lessons in supply and demand. The initial supply of Gatorade sold out in two days. The order for sunscreen had to be doubled.
Shortly after the first Bright Star exercise that used TFEs, the United States kicked off URGENT FURY, an invasion of Grenada, in October 1983. TFEs were included for troop support in Grenada and Barbados.
Although TFEs had been deployed previously, Exercise Bright Star marked the first large-scale test of the concept under field conditions overseas, Army Lt. Col George C. Stroh, the Exchange’s deputy director of Plans and Management at the time, told the Exchange Post. More than 5,000 troops participated in the 1983 Bright Star.
“What was heartening was the great number of comments that said ‘love it’ [and] ‘good job” Stroh told the Exchange Post.
Sources: Exchange Post archives; www.centcom.mil
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