Columbus AFB Exchange completes remodeling project

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Columbus Air Force Base Exchange recently completed a ten-month renovation project to bring better service and support to its Team BLAZE customers.

The $2.1 million project, originally slated as a smaller $850,000 project, was done to address concerns and complaints from its customer base about the 1974-built facility.

Col. George Ross, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, said one of the largest items stressed by customers and addressed with the renovation was the complete overhaul of the stores military clothing section.

The colonel said AAFES has turned a 500 sq. ft. section of military uniform supplies into an over 2,000 sq. ft. area to cover its customers' needs.

He also said this renovation is only one of the numerous things AAFES does to support military members, their families and retirees.

"AAFES supports us here and AAFES supporter us abroad," Colonel Ross said. "The revenue AAFES gets comes back to the base to support our numerous morale and welfare programs."

The Columbus AFB Exchange General Manager, Gerell Herron, thanked AAFES customers for putting up with the construction over the past months.

"I know it's been rough shopping during the construction," he said, "but thank you for your patience."

Mr. Herron said that while the CAFB Exchange may not be the largest, if someone needs something, they can get it within a few days.

In addition to the expanded military clothing section, the Exchange saw upgrades to its electronics section, a renovation lobby and a larger, redone food court area.