It pays to shop Warren's Base Exchange Published Aug. 25, 2010 By Staff Reports Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. -- The exchange benefit at F. E. Warren is paying dividends in more ways than one. Airmen shopping at the BX, dining at Burger King and using other Army & Air Force Exchange Service activities last year generated a dividend of $339,612. These funds are critical to Air Force Services' ability to enhance local programs and facilities including the Warren Lanes Bowling Center, Freedom Hall Fitness Center and Fall Hall Community Center. "AAFES' dual mission is to provide goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support morale, welfare and readiness programs," said Kathy Bates, the F. E. Warren BX's store manager. "As a result, the dollars that troops and their families spend in AAFES facilities generates a healthy return on their investment by directly improving quality of life services." The duel benefit AAFES provides military families goes far beyond the clothes, electronics or consumables available at the Exchange. In fact, purchases made in the past 10 years have provided more than $2.4 billion to military MWR programs such as Youth Services, post functions and aquatic centers. Historically, roughly two-thirds of AAFES earnings are paid to MWR programs. In addition to funding quality of life efforts, AAFES earnings are used to build new stores or renovate existing facilities without expense to the Federal government. Funds to contract these new or replacement facilities also come entirely from sales of merchandise and services.