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AAFES - ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE - Europe

Newcomers to Europe are often surprised to discover that they have hardly left home as far as shopping is concerned. Even soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom benefit from the field facilities of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Europe.

The exchange supplies its customers with electronics, cameras, videos, name brand sporting goods, new cars, car rental, alcoholic beverages, clothing, household appliances, health and beauty aids, laundry service and film processing, to name but a few. AAFES Europe operates movie theaters, which show current Hollywood productions at bargain prices, and it operates shoppettes. These are basically convenience stores with a limited stock of food, beverages, health and beauty products. They usually have extended hours and are sometimes combined with gas stations, Class Six (liquor) stores or video rental facilities.

AAFES has two new American-style shopping malls; a $29.3 million one at Panzer Kaserne in Stuttgart, and a $38.5 million one at Grafenwöhr. Both opened in 2007. These pale, however, in comparison to the Mega Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, that opened in September 2009 at Ramstein. It is a retail and entertainment center housing state-of-the-art shopping, dining and entertainment options as well as a large hotel.

The AAFES-Europe Region, headquarters in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, is part of the worldwide AAFES exchange system. Its two-fold mission is 1) to provide customers quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices, and 2) to generate earnings which provide a dividend to support morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) programs.

In addition to funding MWR efforts, AAFES earnings are used to build new stores or renovate existing facilities without expense to the federal government. Historically, roughly two-thirds of AAFES earnings are paid to MWR. Right-sized inventories, streamlined logistics and a sustained focus on accountability paid off for military families as AAFES delivered more than $272 million in support to MWR programs in FY 2007. AAFES-Europe's contributions for that same year were $16.2 million.

LOW PRICES

In addition to generating earnings for MWR, AAFES offers some substantial savings. It charges no sales tax and has a number of items featured as Price Cut merchandise. For items in these categories AAFES has applied a portion of its earnings to offering this selected merchandise at below cost. This normally applies to household items and goods that are in constant demand.

AAFES also has a "Best Price" policy, the intent of which is to keep AAFES-Europe competitive. Normally AAFES buys and prices its merchandise from its headquarters in Dallas for exchanges worldwide. But as overseas commercial retailers get better at the discount retail business, AAFES has given exchange managers the authority to lower shelf prices to ensure that each exchange is competitive.

The AAFES-Europe buying staff shops European markets and offers special "Europe Exclusive" merchandise only available to overseas customers. Special buys from Eastern European countries as well as Russia provide a unique selection at great prices. AAFES shoppers in Europe will find reminders of their time in Europe, such as giftware and souvenir items, Polish pottery, Italian ceramics and Belgian tapestries in stores to name but a few. The European buyers also concentrate on items that overseas customers need such as 220-volt appliances and ready-to-assemble furniture at affordable prices.

CATALOG AND INTERNET SALES

The Exchange Catalog is a great shopping alternative overseas, especially for those at the remote duty stations. You can order anything in the catalog either by mail, online or by telephone. Two editions of the Exchange Catalog are published annually. They sell for $5 and contain a coupon good for $10 off the first order of $50 or more. In addition to the big books there are annual free supplements featuring seasonal clothing, home décor and other things.

You can now do all your shopping through the award-winning AAFES website, www.aafes.com. The merchandise selection includes everything in the Exchange Catalog and also items that are available exclusively online. It also lists weekly specials and closeouts at extraordinary prices. And it has a link to The Exchange MALL.com; a virtual offering similar to the concession mall located outside the main store at your local exchange. These concessionaires must meet special requirements if they are to be included in The Exchange MALL; special discounts for the military not available outside the site, acceptance of the Star Card, no collection of customer data for outside use, and others.

The web page also provides an online forum for authorized customers to gather information on their military communities, view AAFES sales fliers, print coupons, complete Military Star Card applications and payments plus much more.

SERVICES

AAFES provides just about every service a person in Europe needs, from hair care and laundry services to auto repair, car washes, car rental, electronic repair, film processing and optical services. Customers can come to AAFES for cell phones, residential internet, phone service, and cable TV. There are spas where you can get a massage, facial or manicure and Exchange New Car Sales where you are guaranteed a great price on a new car.

GASOLINE

AAFES also provides command motorists with gasoline. It has its own on-base stations where gas coupons can be redeemed and has a contract with ESSO to provide gasoline in Germany, The Netherlands and Italy. A new high tech automated gas ration card has been issued and is good at both AAFES and ESSO stations. The license number of the vehicle appears on the card, and the number on the card must match the license plate before gas can be dispensed. In The Netherlands, ESSO has identified certain stations that participate in the coupon program. They can be found on the internet at www.aafes.com (Click "Your BX/PX," in the list at the bottom left of the home page. Log in with your social security number for username, and date of birth (YYYYMMDD) for password. Then click on "ESSO station Netherlands information" in the Europe Customers list (bottom right.) Locations in the Netherlands area are very limited, so ask before you fill up. There are also AAFES-operated gas stations on military installations in The Azores, Turkey and the UK. Managers at AAFES gas stations give customers the convenience of using cash, check and debit or credit cards for their purchases.

FOOD OPERATIONS

AAFES fast food facilities provide a taste of home to families living in Europe and to the Military and Civilians deployed in support of OEF/OIF. Customers can enjoy Burger King, Popeye's, Taco Bell, Charlie's Steakery, Pizza Hut, Subway and more, all just around the corner from where they live and work. AAFES operates its own bread, ice cream and water plant to support the shoppettes, fast food establishments and commissaries.

Another food mission for AAFES is the operation of the USDA School Lunch Program. It provides nutritious lunches daily at DoDDS schools throughout Europe. AAFES was appointed by the Army and Air Force as the school feeding authority overseas. It operates the program on a break-even basis. Coupons for the prepaid lunch program are sold at AAFES facilities, and free or reduced-price lunches are available to qualifying families. School breakfast programs are offered at several locations.

AFN SATELLITE DECODER

If you live off base and want to get the full range of television and radio programming from AFN, visit your AAFES PowerZone to lease or purchase an AFN decoder and satellite dish. The decoder system receives the AFN signal via satellite. Don't forget to check with your landlord for permission to mount the satellite dish. The AFN website has instructions on how to set up the dish once you have permission.

WE GO WHERE YOU GO

For military personnel in today's downsized force involved in fighting the Global War on Terror, life has been a series of back-to-back, short notice deployments to countries they would be hard pressed to point out and find on a map. Such deployments are just as common for AAFES-Europe personnel. These volunteers are proud of the support they provide to troops deployed in contingency operations throughout the European, Central Asian and Southwest Asian theaters.

Troops serving in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom have access to communication tools that most veterans only 10 years ago could have only dreamed about. In fact, today's deployed service members not only have communication capabilities, but they have choices regarding how they choose to communicate. A limited number of tax-subsidized minutes are made available to troops for "official" morale (free) phone calls each month, the internet offers instant chat and email and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has phone centers where troops can make as many "unofficial" (paid) calls as they desire.

Shortly after September 11th, AAFES responded to the call to support our Armed Forces engaged in the war against terror. AAFES-Europe set up its first OEF/OIF field exchange in October of 2001. Currently AAFES has more than 300 direct Exchange operations, including PX/BX's, Phone Centers, and Fast Food outlets, plus more than 600 concessions stretched across Central and Southwest Asia. Each bring troops there a touch of home and a much-needed boost to their morale.

"AAFES is totally committed to providing the deployed service member with outstanding exchange support," said AAFES-Europe Commander Col. Forrest C. Wentworth. To date, he continued, more than 1,700 AAFES associates have deployed to dangerous places around the world. Those are true heroes, dedicated to proudly serving those who serve. "I am proud of what they are doing," said the colonel. "They are volunteers and their dedication and commitment to serving soldiers and airmen makes the Ôwe go where you go' motto of AAFES a reality."

Sixt Rent-a-Car - AAFES Concessionaire for almost 20 Years

Sixt Rent a Car has been selected by AAFES-Europe to rent cars at special rates to US Forces ID card holders, DoD civilians as well as authorized TDY travelers.

For over a decade they have been the on-base distributor for car rental, operating more than 300 offices in Germany plus 25 special military offices on US military installations throughout Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

They provide a fleet of more than 2,000 rental cars especially for the military through their on-base facilities, offering a wide choice of cars that include Mercedes and BMWs as well as SUVs and convertibles.

Sixt Rent a Car is Germany's largest rental car provider and they are the an AAFES-Europe concessionaire for Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Due to their continuous European expansion you always have the possibility to return or exchange your vehicle at any of the countless Sixt rental stations throughout Germany and Europe.

AAFES-Europe and Sixt have created an attractive service package. In addition to their continuous specials there's no age limit for renters; customers can pay with cash (USD/EUR), check, credit card or Military Star Card and take advantage of the favorable AAFES exchange rates; there are no high security deposits and prices are charged without VAT (Value Added Tax.)

We are where you are! Call or email (mil@sixt.de) for a reservation.

Sixt Rent-a-Car offices are in AAFES locations on USAREUR installations in Germany, Belgium and Holland. Check the telephone listings in each Garrison section for the numbers of the location nearest you.

WHO GETS AN ID CARD?

It is possible for close family members, other than your spouse and minor children, to be declared dependents in Europe and eligible to shop at the PX or commissary.

But the rules are strict. They must be close family members (usually adult children, parents or siblings) and heavily dependent on you for support. This means that their monetary income from all sources is less than 50 percent of their monthly expenses, and that they live in your household.

You must contribute the remainder of what they need, either as a monetary contribution or such other valuable services as room and board.

In order to get them declared dependents you must submit a notarized statement that the above conditions exist. Documentation for this includes a statement as to whether the family member was claimed as an exemption on your last income tax return, or a statement explaining why he or she was not included.

There must also be a documented statement as to the family member's total income and your contribution to his or her support. See your personnel officer for procedures.