#FlashbackFriday: February 2003—After a Fire in Afghanistan, an Exchange Quickly Rises From the Ashes
On Feb. 21, 2003, a fire burned through Exchange facilities in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The main store, barber shop, gift shop, coffee shop, associate living quarters and two Morale, Recreation and Welfare tents were all destroyed.
The Exchange had celebrated its grand opening only a few months earlier, on Nov. 22. It was considered a gem because of its 6,200 square feet of retail space that included a military clothing area and a stationary/greeting card concept. It doubled the space of a previous Kandahar store, which was a tent set up in late 2001.
Air Force firefighters battled the fire, hampered by 25 mph winds, concerned that it was headed toward a diesel fuel bladder and other crucial buildings. The confined space around the Exchange compound made it nearly impossible to save the building.
“We went to the back and the wind was blowing toward us,” one Airman/firefighter told a reporter from the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. “We got there and there was debris, ash, pitch-black smoke, and my eyes were burning even with my mask on. My helmet started burning up a little bit so I knew it was hot.”
In this 2003 U.S, Army photo by then-1st Lt. Cory Angell, an Air Force firefighter battles the blaze that destroyed the Kandahar Exchange, barber shop, gift shop and coffee shop.
It took 20 firefighters, five trucks and other equipment to contain the fire, which destroyed 90% of the Exchange’s food supply. An Exchange field accountant estimated the damage at more than $1 million.
None of the 25 Exchange associates at the site were injured, but lost their personal belongings, including passports and ID cards. Local command helped find temporary quarters for the associates and worked to reissue ID cards.
Despite the losses, associates made a unanimous decision to stay at the site and work on building a new store to support service members—and had a temporary Exchange up and running in 36 hours. Local command helped find temporary quarters for the associates and worked to reissue ID cards.
Associates and carpenters worked nonstop to build shelves and set up the store. Volunteers helped unload containers. Camp Commander Col. John Campbell and Support Group Commander Lt. Col. Dennis Tewksbury attended the reopening, saying they were “shocked and amazed” at the speed of the work.
Three firefighters from the 451st Air Expeditionary Group cut the ribbon on the new store on Feb. 23—21 years ago today.
Sources: Exchange Post archives; af.mil
I truly believe that most of our workforce is extraordinary and this proves it.
Great support from our team to the military and great support from the military helping with living quarters and ID cards. AWESOME!