AAFES celebrates 118 years of service to military with ceremony

U.S. Air Force Col. Gregory Guillot, 55th Wing commander, cuts a cake during a ceremony celebrating the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s 118th birthday, as U.S. Air Force Airman Jameson Hayden, 55th Security Forces Squadron, looks on in the Offutt Air Force Base Exchange, Neb., July 25. AAFES is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense with two missions -- provide quality merchandise and services to 8.7 million active duty, National Guard, reserve members, military retirees and their family members, at uniformly low prices; and generate reasonable earnings for the support of Army morale, welfare and recreation and Air Force services programs. AAFES now operates more than 10,800 activities, including: retail stores, catalog services, bookstores, class six package stores, concessions, food facilities, florists, gas stations and auto repair, laundry and dry cleaners, barber and beauty shops, military clothing sales stores, movie theaters, vending centers and video rental. (U.S. Air Force photo by Charles Haymond/Released)