Shuttle programs offers Laughlin shoppers options Published Oct. 15, 2009 LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- When many Laughlin members hear the term "shuttle," they think of a van taking members to San Antonio and back for official business. However, at Laughlin, the term shuttle can also mean saving money on everything from shoes to beds as it is a way to bring items from larger exchanges to Laughlin every Thursday. While troops that shop at smaller exchanges may not necessarily have the wide aisles of merchandise that their counterparts have at larger installations, that does not mean they cannot find what their looking for. Here at Laughlin, the shipments are received every Thursday. Thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's shuttle program, military shoppers always have a wide selection of merchandise available to them. No matter where troops are stationed, military shoppers can have specific items sent to their local Base Exchange free of charge. Shoppers need only to ask an AAFES associate to check on the availability of their product. Once the item has been located at another exchange, it is sent to the shopper's BX/PX in a matter of days. Whether troops shop at a large or small exchange, the shuttle program ensures that AAFES can continue to meet military shopper's needs. According to Sonia Gonzales, Laughlin store manager and Laughlin Combined AAFES manager, shipments ranging from one item to a full truck have made the weekly trek from San Antonio. "It just depends on the number of requests we have," Gonzales said. "Last week, we brought a Wii down for someone, other weeks, we'll have a truck full of large items like mattresses and washers." All shoppers have to do is let an associate know what they're looking for, the associate will run a search and when the item is found, it will be shipped to Laughlin. This is a boon for people assigned to smaller bases like Laughlin. "Troops assigned to small installations unfortunately will have smaller exchanges in which to shop," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm, AAFES senior enlisted advisor. "That's where the shuttle program becomes so valuable. For shoppers at small installations in the States or overseas in Korea or Germany, they don't have to travel to larger exchanges to get they want; we'll brings those items to them." The shuttle program isn't the only option for Laughlin members trying to buy that hard-to-find item. Military shoppers can also fulfill their shopping needs by logging onto www.aafes.com, AAFES' online store and largest exchange. AAFES is a joint military command with a retail mission. The command's dual mission is to provide quality products and services to all active duty, Reserve, Guard members, their families and retirees and to generate earnings to supplement Army Morale Welfare and Recreation and Air Force Services programs. Carrying out AAFES' day-to-day operation include 72 active duty Army and Air Force personnel and more than 43,000 civilian associates. AAFES Public Affairs contributed to this story