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September 11, 2010
U.S. Lifts Ban On Fast-Food Restaurants and Retail Stores at American Bases in Afghanistan
Fast food making comeback on U.S. bases in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan
The U.S. military has lifted a seven-month ban on fast-food restaurants and retail stores at American bases in Afghanistan.
The shops, ranging from Burger Kings to Oakley sunglasses stores and Military Car Sales outlets, were ordered closed in February by former U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who cited space issues. At the time, McChrystal’s senior enlisted adviser said the profusion of such shops was contributing to an “amusement park” atmosphere at some of the largest U.S. bases.
But Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill — who took over as the senior noncommissioned officer in Afghanistan this month — decided to reverse the ban after consulting with other top noncommissioned officers, he said in an interview Thursday.
“For troops to be able to go and grab a burger or a piece of chicken or whatever, I don’t really think it’s that bad,” he said.
The ban on shops and fast-food restaurants mainly affected a handful of the largest U.S. bases in Afghanistan such as Bagram Air Field that are primarily home to headquarters and support troops
In part, Hill said, the change in policy reflects an easing of the logistical challenges posed by the arrival of some 30,000 additional U.S. troops and their equipment. When the ban was announced, those troops were still on their way, straining tenuous NATO supply routes and filling bases beyond capacity.
Hill said he would leave it to individual base commanders to decide what to bring back, but cautioned that the food courts and shopping areas should be kept within reason.
“It needs to be right-sized,” he said. “We need to keep in mind that everything we bring into the country has to come through the same supply chain, whether it’s fast food or ammunition.”
The ban on shops and fast-food restaurants mainly affected a handful of the largest U.S. bases in Afghanistan such as Bagram Air Field that are primarily home to headquarters and support troops.
Most combat troops remain at smaller bases, often with only the most basic amenities, contributing to something of a quality-of-life dichotomy in Afghanistan, typified by a faux motivational poster that has made the rounds among U.S. troops. The poster shows a picture of two smiling servicemembers holding trays of fast food next to a group of dust-covered troops on patrol. Beneath, it reads: “Afghanistan: individual experiences may vary.”
Spokesman Judd Anstey said Thursday that AAFES had yet to receive official word of the policy change.
“If we receive an official request, AAFES is ready to support fast food concessions in Afghanistan,” he said.
Gen. David Petraeus, who took over command in Afghanistan in July, said he had left the decision about base amenities to Hill but said he believed the shops contributed to morale without creating resentment.
“The feedback I’ve received from the squad and platoon level, if you will, is that they don’t begrudge the occupants of big bases having Burger Kings because they actually like to go to them when they get the chance to go to the big bases,” he said.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Good news! They never should have taken them away in the first place. It isn't as though they are scattered across the country of Afghanistan, they were located at specific bases.
Posted by Wild Thing at September 11, 2010 04:48 AM
Comments
Now that McCrystal is gone, the troops can enjoy a bit of America while serving in a Hell Hole.
Posted by: BobF at September 11, 2010 09:56 AM
Yeah its not like they are going to corrupt this already corrupt country with American Junk food, After all they are so religious.
Posted by: Mark at September 11, 2010 12:24 PM
This is GREAT NEWS!!! A little bit of home goes a long LONG way!!!!
Posted by: jan at September 11, 2010 04:56 PM
Thanks everyone so much. I agree, this is wonderful news.
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 12, 2010 01:21 AM
