Grand Reopening of the North Post Exchange

Fort Bragg's North Post Main Exchange is the first Army installation in the Army & Air Force Exchange System (Exchange) to use this new logo, and to celebrate, officials held a "Brand Opening" ceremony Friday morning.

The 82nd Airborne Division's freefall demonstration team were scheduled to jump in the U.S. flag, but due to high winds aloft, the jump was canceled. Members of the team presented plaques to the management team. On hand were 90 children from Shuggart Elementary School to sing the national anthem.

Brig. Gen. Francis L. "Fran" Hendricks, commander of the Exchange, commended the staff of AAFEES for their efforts. Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Stephen J. Sicinski said: "The AAFEES dividend of $4.2 million can be seen tangibly where it is spent. If we did not get that dividend return, there would be zero capital reinvestment at the local level for our FMWR programs."

Some of the benefits of the money have included expanding the fairgrounds, a renovation, a complete overhaul library renovation, the overhaul to a soldier performance enhancement center, Smith Lake's community recreation area complete with new cabins, the ski rixen cable and a zipline.

Other upgrades included the renovation, which serves as the first 24/7 gym in the Army, Hendrick Stadium's renovation along with the Towle Courts, an archery range, expansion on McKellar's to triple the capacity and size of the current one, and -- most importantly -- a consolidated Family Readiness Center site at the old , said Sicinski.

The Exchange is the 43rd largest retail company in the U.S., with revenue of
approximately $10 billion per year. It employs more than 43,000 civilians and
provides department stores, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants,
theaters, vending and other businesses on military installations in 50 states
and more than 30 countries.

The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund instrumentality and operates as a Soldier and Airman owned co-op, with 98 percent of its budget generated from sales. The Exchange currently operates more than 68 stores in support of the Southwest Asia and European Command areas of responsibility, with 39 stores in Afghanistan and 10 in Iraq.

Fort Bragg's two Exchanges and its smaller stores contributed to Fort Bragg's
Family Moral, Welfare and Recreation system $4,183,611 in 2011.