Mobile Field Exchange Opens at Fort Eisenhower After Hurricane Helene

As recovery efforts continue after Hurricane Helene, the Exchange is doing its part to support troops and families at Fort Eisenhower with a mobile field exchange (MFE).

The MFE, a retail store in a 53-foot trailer with snacks, drinks, toiletries and more, opened its doors at Fort Eisenhower within 48 hours after the Exchange received a request for support. Fort Eisenhower is currently limited to essential personnel only.

Fort Eisenhower’s Garrison Commander, Col. Anthony Kozar, contacted the Exchange on Sept. 29 to expedite delivery of an MFE as nearly 5,000 Advanced Individual Training (AIT) students and more than 7,000 family members are living on post without power or water.

“The Waco Distribution Center has eight MFEs standing at the ready to deploy to locations affected by natural disasters,” said Waco Distribution Center Manager Jeovany Garza. “Once we got the request, the MFE was on the road to Fort Eisenhower within four hours.”

The MFE arrived at Fort Eisenhower on Oct. 1. Harris and other Exchange associates quickly stocked the shelves, and the MFE was serving the community by 11 a.m.

“With most stores and restaurants in the area closed, the MFE is delivering essential services to make life a little more comfortable for those on the installation as well as the personnel who are working tirelessly to bring things back to normal,” said Fort Eisenhower Exchange General Manager LaToya Harris.

Service members who came through the MFE on opening day were excited to see the level of support the Exchange was providing.

“I’m so grateful for the Exchange for having this here to support us,” said National Guard 2^nd Lt. Franky Barba, who is at Fort Eisenhower for training. “I’m now able to get the essentials needed to make it through while I am displaced.”

The Exchange has 11 MFEs and two mobile barber shops based in Waco that can be deployed within 48-72 hours in CONUS. In the past, MFEs have supported hurricane and wildfire relief efforts in the United States and major military exercises both at home and abroad.

Fort Eisenhower Sales Area Manager Dava Maestas (left), Visual Merchandiser Grace Slater (back to camera) and Restaurant Manager Bianca Wickman (in back) stocks a mobile field Exchange sent to support the Fort Eisenhower community after Hurricane Helene.