AAFES grandmother and Army granddaughter team deployed to Iraq

IRAQ

09.28.2009

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Wagner 

Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ

On any given day, more than 400 Army & Air Force Exchange Service associates are deployed to directly support troops assigned to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. For one AAFES grandmother, she deployed to Iraq to not only carry out the command's motto of "We Go Where You Go," but to also be with her granddaughter assigned to Balad Air Base.

Spc. Shawntae Villegas, a member of Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2-149th Aviation Battalion, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, works under special intelligence, monitoring flights and providing training instruction at Balad. After a long day of fighting the global war on terrorism, Spc. Villegas heads out to the Balad East Shopette to spend time with her grandmother, 13-year AAFES associate Reynalda Villegas.

Ms. Villegas is on her second AAFES deployment, having previously deployed to Camp Echo and Tallil Air Base, Iraq. She works as a sales technician at the shopette. She enjoys serving and supporting troops and doing what she can to bring a little bit of taste and touch of home to deployed service members.

"I feel that our troops need us to be there with them since we're the only family they have [here]," said Ms. Villegas. "It's great to see the troop's faces shine when they see us 'moms' deployed alongside them."

Ms. Villegas specifically requested to deploy to Balad because of her granddaughter. Back in the States. Ms. Villegas works at AAFES Headquarters in Dallas.

Spc. Villegas wanted to join the Army since she was 10. At that time, her father encouraged her to write an essay about why she wanted to join the Army. When she got older, and her passion to join the Army had not faded, she wrote that essay for her father, who had not forgotten, and joined the Army shortly thereafter.

Deploying AAFES associates complete two weeks of intensive training and preparation at AAFES HQ and the Continental U.S. Replacement Center at Ft. Benning, Ga. During their time at CRC, associates are issued Kevlar helmets and Integrated Body Armor and receive extensive training on first aid, the M9 pistol, anti-terrorism, operational security and cultural awareness. Associates need these skills and knowledge as they are open to the same risks and dangers as troops are in installations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I'm really proud of the associates who are doing a magnificent job in deployed locations around the world," said AAFES Commander Maj. Gen. Keith Thurgood. "Some of them are working in very austere conditions, but they are doing tremendous work. Every associate who deploys is a true hero in my eyes."

To date, more than 4,000 AAFES civilians have deployed to provide comfort items and necessities in combat and contingency locations. Service members depend on the Base Exchange/Post Exchange facilities these associates support for day-to-day health and comfort items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, snacks, beverages and entertainment items.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2009
• Date Posted: 09.28.2009 11:25
• Story ID: 39364
• Location: IQ