Exchange History Articles

#FlashbackFriday: Armed Forces Day at the Exchange

By Robert Philpot / May 16, 2025 /

Armed Forces Day is this Saturday. Here’s a pictorial look at how the Exchange has commemorated the day.

Read More

#Flashback Friday: The Legend of the ‘aafesburger’—and the Woman Who Created It

By Robert Philpot / May 9, 2025 /

Read about 1983’s AAFES Worldwide Hamburger Cook-off and the woman who won it.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 1988—the First Frank’s Franks Opens

By Robert Philpot / May 2, 2025 /

The hot-dog stand, which had locations worldwide, was an Exchange-exclusive restaurant that evolved from earlier hot-dog stands.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 2003—Six Days After Troops Secure the Baghdad Airport, the Exchange is There

By Robert Philpot / April 18, 2025 /

At 1 a.m. April 17, 2003—22 years ago this week—JBSA-Randolph AFB Sales and Merchandise Manager Mike Smith arrived in Baghdad via military airlift. Smith, who arrived six days after the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) secured Baghdad International Airport during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was the leader of an Exchange team ready to…

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 1979—Sheppard BX Gives and Receives Support After Monster Tornado

By Robert Philpot / April 11, 2025 /

The Sheppard Exchange found ways to serve customers in need–even during power outages–while the Exchange organized support for Sheppard associates affected by the tornado.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: Pictures of the Exchange in Vietnam

By Robert Philpot / March 28, 2025 /

On Sept. 11, 1965, the first staff elements of the Vietnam Regional Exchange (VRE) began to arrive in the Southeast Asian country. The Exchange would have a presence there until 1975.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: A Tale of Two Earthquakes—1957 and 1964

By Robert Philpot / March 21, 2025 /

Late March brings the anniversaries of two earthquakes that affected Exchange facilities—one 68 years ago and the other 61 years ago. The first one was relatively innocuous; the second one was much worse. The first one occurred March 22, 1957. The Daly City earthquake, named for a San Francisco-area town, registered at 5.3 on the…

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: Spotting Some Domino’s Pizza History at the Exchange

By Robert Philpot / March 14, 2025 /

On March 13, 1990—35 years ago this week—Domino’s Pizza opened a store on Fort Bliss, the chain’s first on a military installation.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: Five Years Ago, the COVID Era Began, and the Exchange Showed Its Resiliency

By Robert Philpot / March 7, 2025 /

From a mobile field Exchange supporting troops and front-line workers in New York City to a prom celebration for teens working at the Spangdahlem food court, the Exchange showed its versatility during a challenging time.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 1991—A Letter Home From Saudi Arabia After Operation Desert Storm

By Robert Philpot / February 28, 2025 /

For the March/April 1991 issue of the Exchange Post, an associate wrote “A Letter Home,” a collection of memories from her time in Saudi Arabia.

Read More