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VOL. 1, NO. 3 | THURSDAY, November 10, 2022

Fire Station 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 25 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

Miami Valley Hospital Care Flight personnel explained medevac procedures to Airmen with the 88th Medical Group during the joint training event Nov. 3 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The training is an opportunity for Airmen, WPAFB firefighters, the 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office and 88th Operations Support Squadron control tower to learn proper procedures for patient medevac from Wright-Patterson Medical Center to a community hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

The Air Force Materiel Command International Ball was held October 15 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. This year’s theme was “Year of the International Partner … An Evening of Intrigue.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

Fairborn Chamber of Commerce members toured Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Oct. 13, fostering a stronger relationship between the base and local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

Community and Base Events

 
This holiday season, buy online and pick up in store
 

Military shoppers can plan for the holidays with added convenience when placing orders in advance with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s buy online, pick up in store and curbside services at the Wright-Patterson Exchange.

Authorized patrons with in-store shopping privileges, including service-connected disabled veterans and Department of Defense civilians, can visit ShopMyExchange to find military-exclusive deals on gifts for the entire family. For more savings, shoppers can check out the Exchange’s weekly digital ads.

To start a pickup order, shoppers can go to ShopMyExchange, select items, choose the “Pick Up in Store” option, select the Wright-Patterson BX main store and submit their order. Orders can be picked up in the customer service area at the Wright-Patterson Exchange. Shoppers can also opt for curbside pickup at select stores.

“The Exchange is all in to give shoppers added value, which also means saving time this holiday season,” Wright-Patterson Exchange General Manager Adam Shaw said. “Military shoppers at Wright-Patterson skip the checkout lines with these easy and convenient services.”

To find a list of participating stores offering curbside pickup, visit ShopMyExchange curbside-pickup.

Find ‘best value’ with extended holiday price guarantee

AAFES is ensuring Wright-Patterson AFB Airmen and families get the best deal on their holiday shopping with an extended holiday price guarantee.

From Dec. 1-24, shoppers who make a purchase at the Exchange or ShopMyExchange and find the identical item at a lower price from a local retailer can receive an Exchange gift card for the difference.

“The Exchange is making it easy to ensure Wright-Patterson shoppers get the best value for their dollars,” Shaw said. “That’s in addition to our holiday sales and always-tax-free shopping, so the military community can celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank.”

Shoppers can visit the Exchange’s customer service desk for more information. Patrons who made their purchase at ShopMyExchange can receive their gift card by filling out a customer feedback form at www.ShopMyExchange.com/customer-service or calling the Exchange Customer Contact Center at 800-527-2345. Shoppers must present a receipt or online order confirmation, along with a local competitor’s current ad.

The offer excludes items related to Black Friday and Cyber Week sales (Nov. 24 through Dec. 2) or one-day special events. Other restrictions may apply.

Shoppers get free layaway ahead of holidays

Military shoppers can check everything off their wish lists early with AAFES fee-free layaway.

The Wright-Patterson Exchange is waiving its layaway service fee of $3 on toys, bikes, computers, laptops, tablets, iPads, notebooks, smartwatches and more when layaways are paid in full and picked up by close of business Dec. 24.

“Getting a head start on holiday shopping is easy with the Exchange’s fee-free layaway,” Shaw said. “Shoppers can stock up on gifts for loved ones at military-exclusive pricing, always tax-free and without the layaway service fee.”

To place items on layaway, military shoppers must pay a 15% purchase-price deposit. Items included in the “12 Weeks of Black Friday Deals” are excluded from being placed on layaway. Shoppers can visit the customer service desk for more details.

Sign up for Exchange’s gift-wrap program

Local volunteer groups looking to raise money and holiday spirits can join with AAFES to provide gift wrapping for military shoppers.

The Wright-Patterson Exchange will provide wrapping paper, tape and other supplies for volunteer groups to set up their stations. Groups can seek donations for the gift wrapping.

“The Exchange is pleased to bring back this great program that benefits the whole community,” Shaw said. “Our local groups have a chance to fund-raise, and shoppers save valuable time and effort getting ready for the holidays.”

This year, groups can sign up to wrap gifts from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. Send an email to jonessam@aafes.com for more information and to reserve your time.

 

Pain at pump? MILITARY STAR card offers everyday savings

As gas prices fluctuate, the MILITARY STAR card is offering steady savings, including 5 cents off per gallon at Wright-Patterson AFB’s Kittyhawk and Area B Express locations.

“Gas support is a significant quality-of-life service, and the MILITARY STAR card is a great tool to mitigate rising pump prices,” Shaw said. “The MILITARY STAR card’s everyday fuel discount keeps Wright-Patterson drivers, and their budgets, on track.”

It matters where the military community fills up. Cardholder savings add up when refueling at the Kittyhawk and Area B Express, as drivers save 5 cents a gallon and earn 2% in rewards points on purchases.

Last year, MILITARY STAR cardholders saved more than $3 million at Exchange pumps, part of the $408 million in value the card provides the military community annually.

Other MILITARY STAR card benefits include:

  • 10% off at Exchange restaurants

  • 10% off all first-day purchases for new account holders

  • Free shipping on all ShopMyExchange.com orders

  • The lowest flat annual percentage rate among store cards — rate is offered to all cardholders upon account approval.

  • No annual, late or over-limit fees

  • Reduced-interest deployment plan with no payments required for eligible cardholders

The MILITARY STAR card also strengthens the hard-earned benefits of Airmen and their families by reducing the costs of bank-issued credit card transaction fees, savings that add up to millions of dollars a year at Exchanges worldwide. These savings are critical to improving key quality-of-life programs, as 100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested in the military community.

 

These events are for base personnel only.

America Recycles Day: Nov. 15

0n behalf of Wright-Patt's Qualified Recycling Program, base personnel are cordially invited to attend one of the tours we will offer at the Base Recycling Center (Building 10293).

Tour times will be 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

We hope to see you there!
For more information about this important day, visit www.epa.gov/recyclingstrategy/america-recycles-day.

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88 ABW Public Affairs Editorial Staff 

Col. Christopher Meeker 88 ABW Commander
Bob Purtiman Chief, WPAFB Installation Public Affairs
Chris Warner Command Information Chief
Vince Little Skywrighter Liaison
Megan Mudersbach Website Manager

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