In brief:
- In 1994, the Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) teamed up to support Operation Uphold Democracy, A U.N-authorized mission in Haiti.
- The teams opened three tactical field Exchanges within weeks of the mission’s launch.
In September 1994, a U.S.-led multinational force launched Operation Uphold Democracy, a U.N.-authorized mission to restore the government of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who had been overthrown in a 1991 military coup. The operation involved nearly 25,000 military personnel from all services. Most of the troops were from the United States, aided by a multinational contingent from Caribbean nations.
The operation launched Sept. 19. Within two weeks, the Exchange was there.
In the initial arrangement, the Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) teamed up to establish three tactical field Exchanges (TFEs) in Haiti. The first one opened Oct. 1 in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
The TFE was run by a 20-member DeCA team led by an Air Force captain. The team, which underwent three days of intensive training at the Atlanta Distribution Center on how to operate an Exchange, ran the cash registers, unloaded trucks, swept floors and built and stocked shelves. They were helped by six Haitian local nationals who assisted in stocking, trash removal and customer service.
When the TFE opened, about 1,300 eager customers were waiting for tastes of home such as Gatorade, sodas and chips.
Nine Exchange associates—who dubbed themselves the “Haiti 9”—deployed to Haiti in October as the Port-au-Prince TFE transitioned to an all-Exchange operation. They also operated a second Port-au-Prince TFE as well as a TFE in Cap-Haitien, on the island’s northern coast about 125 miles from Port-au-Prince.
The deployed associates were required to wear Army uniforms and carry gear that included canteens, tents, mosquito nets, a gas mask, a flak vest and a helmet. They were also required to take a course in weapons familiarization.
In a letter to Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Bliss, the Exchange vice commander at the time, Col. Joseph W. Adamczyk of 1st Corps Support Commander Joseph W. Adamczyk praised the Exchange.
“Thank you for the assistance you provided the 1st COSCOM during Operation Uphold Democracy,” Adamczyk wrote. “I believe the establishment of a PX at D+25 [deployment date plus 25 days] was an unprecedented success. … Please extend my thanks to all the AAFES folks who “made it happen” in Haiti.”
Operation Uphold Democracy concluded at the end of March 1995, but the Exchange maintained a presence in the country for a few years afterward. Exchange Post archives don’t include a story about the Exchange leaving the country, but stories about Haiti drop off dramatically after 1999.
The Exchange returned to the country in 2010 to support about 7,000 U.S. troops who were assisting with recovery efforts after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the country. Early in the 21st century, Exchange associates returned to serve troops engaged in military interventions and humanitarian missions.
Sources: Exchange Post archives; Office of the Historian, U.S. State Department
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