Third Heavy Brigade Combat Team Commander Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., Army and Air Force Exchange Services of Baghdad General Manager Paula Gunderson, Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, from Monticello, N.Y., commander of the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, and 3rd HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, from Philadelphia, cut the ribbon during a ceremony, Dec. 1, to open the new Post Exchange on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq.
Pfc. Matt Hayes, from Nashville, Tenn., Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, checks out at the new Post Exchange, Dec. 1, following a grand opening ceremony on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq.
Sgt. Reggie Thomas, from Columbus, Ga., Headquarters Troop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, shops at the new Post Exchange, Dec. 1, following a grand opening ceremony on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq.By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd HBCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat team stood in line Dec. 1 awaiting the opening of the new Post Exchange at Forward Operating Base Hammer.
The doors were decorated with balloons and streamers. A colorful cake and sparkling grape juice sat on a table next to the ribbon which was stretched across the threshold. Managers and sales associates of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service lined the doors awaiting the final moment when the ribbon would be cut and the first patrons shopped in their store.
AAFES of Baghdad General Manager Paula Gunderson spoke first, thanking everyone who was involved in making the grand opening possible.
“We couldn’t have done this without the help of Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, 1st Lt. John Enfinger, the wonderful AAFES staff, the Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron (Air Force engineers), and everyone who was involved in making this PX possible,” she said.
Third HBCT Commander Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., said he was amazed at how FOB Hammer has changed since the brigade first arrived to the FOB early March.
April 13, FOB Hammer celebrated the grand opening of its first PX: two single-wide trailers setting end to end. Soldiers would enter one end of the first trailer, make their way down the isle, and pick up items on the way to the checkout counter at the opposite end.
“A PX like this builds combat power,” Grigsby said. “Soldiers can come off of a mission and have some normalcy. They can come here, get what they need and go back to their tents to rest and relax. Then they are ready for another combat patrol. Sledgehammer Soldiers deserve this. They deserve the best for what they have done.”
After the ribbon was cut, 20 at a time, Soldiers piled into the now-open doors.
“I’m very excited about this new PX,” said Spc. Josh Mims, from Cleveland, Ohio, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery. “The old PX trailer barely held anything. It was small. This place has a lot more supplies. If I need something, I’m pretty sure I can find it here.”
The new PX is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.
3rd HBCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat team stood in line Dec. 1 awaiting the opening of the new Post Exchange at Forward Operating Base Hammer.
The doors were decorated with balloons and streamers. A colorful cake and sparkling grape juice sat on a table next to the ribbon which was stretched across the threshold. Managers and sales associates of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service lined the doors awaiting the final moment when the ribbon would be cut and the first patrons shopped in their store.
AAFES of Baghdad General Manager Paula Gunderson spoke first, thanking everyone who was involved in making the grand opening possible.
“We couldn’t have done this without the help of Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, 1st Lt. John Enfinger, the wonderful AAFES staff, the Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron (Air Force engineers), and everyone who was involved in making this PX possible,” she said.
Third HBCT Commander Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., said he was amazed at how FOB Hammer has changed since the brigade first arrived to the FOB early March.
April 13, FOB Hammer celebrated the grand opening of its first PX: two single-wide trailers setting end to end. Soldiers would enter one end of the first trailer, make their way down the isle, and pick up items on the way to the checkout counter at the opposite end.
“A PX like this builds combat power,” Grigsby said. “Soldiers can come off of a mission and have some normalcy. They can come here, get what they need and go back to their tents to rest and relax. Then they are ready for another combat patrol. Sledgehammer Soldiers deserve this. They deserve the best for what they have done.”
After the ribbon was cut, 20 at a time, Soldiers piled into the now-open doors.
“I’m very excited about this new PX,” said Spc. Josh Mims, from Cleveland, Ohio, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery. “The old PX trailer barely held anything. It was small. This place has a lot more supplies. If I need something, I’m pretty sure I can find it here.”
The new PX is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.
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