EXCHANGE

For over 100 years, The Exchange has a long tradition of bringing value to its customers. Recently we have developed a simple 5-chapter savings story titled We Save You Money Everyday! The Exchange employs a variety of checks and balances to ensure we remain competitive and to keep prices low at locations around the world. We'll prove it!

The main store at Fairchild AFB encompasses over 34,000 square feet and carries a complete line of products from clothing and jewelry to outdoor outdoor living. Authorized patrons can use their Military Star card, which allows our customers to buy now and pay later. The Military Star card is accepted at all Exchange activities.

The Exchange also operates a Burger King, Survival Exchange, Class Six, Furniture Store, Theater and Express. The Express stocks a variety of food items, picnic supplies, soft drinks, beer and wine coolers, and prepared sandwiches. The Express has 24-hour gasoline pumps and video rentals.

Our furniture store carries many recognized name brand items such as: Bassett, Berkline, La-Z-Boy, Franklin, O'Sullivan, GE, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana.

A variety of concessions operate inside the Exchange complex. They include a barber and a beauty shop, nail salon, flower shop, optical shop, GNC store, alterations, dry cleaners, Military Clothing Store and an electronics accessory store. The mall also houses an Exchange Restaurant area, which includes Anthony's Pizza, Charley's Steakery, Starbucks and Fusion Express.

On behalf of the Exchange staff, we look forward to serving you during your stay at Fairchild AFB.

Mark Boyer
General Manager

For Your Information

Fairchild AFB has been an important part of the Inland Empire since 1942. The base took its current name in November 1950, in memory of the late Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General Muir S. Fairchild, a native of Bellingham, Wash. It began with the Spokane Army Air Depot on March 2, 1942. The War Department felt that Spokane offered better weather conditions and a mountain range that provided a natural barrier to possible Japanese attack. From 1943 until 1946, the base served as a repair depot for damaged aircraft returning from the Pacific Theater. In 1947, the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command and assigned to 15th Air Force. The same year, the 92nd and 98th Bomb Groups arrived. Just a year later, the base received the second of its three official names: Spokane Air Force Base. In June 1992 the wing became part of the newly formed Air Combat Command and became the 92nd Bomb Wing. On July 1, 1994, the 92nd Bomb Wing was designated the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, and Fairchild AFB was transferred from Air Combat Command (ACC) to Air Mobility Command (AMC).

The wing is capable of maintaining an air bridge across the nation and the world in support of US and allied forces. All branches of the military are represented, with the largest being Fairchild Air Force Base with more than 4,500 military and 1,500 civilian employees. Annually, the military contributes over $411 million to the Spokane economy.

Fairchild Tenant Units: On March 1, 1966, the 336th Combat Crew Training Group was activated at Fairchild. In 1971, it became a wing and assumed control over all Air Force survival schools Survival School, The 336th Training Group. Their mission, "To safely prepare America's aircrews for global survivability anytime, anywhere, and return with honor."Other base tenants include DET 13, 373 TRS (AETC FTD), 2nd Support Squadron (ACC), 141st Air Refueling Wing (Washington Ang), and Air Force Office of Special Investigations, DET 322.

ARRIVING BY CAR

The most common way to approach Fairchild by car is on Interstate 90. Take exit 277, which leads to Highway 2. A sign at the exit also advises motorists to take Highway 2 to reach Fairchild. Travel on Highway 2 through the town of Airway Heights. The main gate to Fairchild will be to your left at the first traffic signal west of Airway Heights.

YOUTH CENTER

The Youth Center programs offered contribute to physical, emotional and social well being of the children at Fairchild. Youth programs include year-round sports (including T-ball and baseball, football, basketball and soccer) instructional classes such as gymnastics, karate and dance.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Child Development Center provides services for dependents of active duty, retired military personnel and DOD civilian employees.

CLEAR LAKE RECREATION AREA

Located 13 miles south of Fairchild, Clear Lake Recreation area consists of 34 acres on a spring fed lake. This popular Fairchild site offers overnight accommodations in camping sites, scenic cabins and RV sites and areas for groups to hold summer picnics.

DEEL COMMUNITY CENTER

The Community Center offers a variety of activities and is open for use by all Fairchild members. Classes are offered in everything from cake decorating, oriental cooking, back-to-basic cooking, canning, music (voice, piano, guitar), fly tying and dog obedience. Various tours are offered throughout the year to include trips to the Grand Coulee Dam; Leavenworth, Wash.; Reno, Nev.; and the Edmonton Mall, Canada.

FAIRCHILD FAMILY FUNSPOT

The Fairchild Family Funspot has 12 lanes of bowling with automatic scorers; a miniature golf course featuring nine holes all done in a tropical setting; roller skating arena and features a new skateboard park.

FAM-CAMP

Located just off of Offutt Parkway on Galveston Ave. on the west side of the base, it provides 16 spaces for RVs and campers. Visitors can access the camp from the Graham Road gate, located just west of the main gate. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis. For more information call 509-244-3247 or 509-247-2511 (Outdoor Rec.).

HERITAGE PARK & MUSEUM

Fairchild's base museum is currently closed. They will be building a new building to house the museum. The purpose of the museum is to recapture and illustrate the history, heritage, and traditions of Fairchild Air Force Base. The heritage of the base is historically entwined with that of Spokane's other military installations. Thus, the museum displays artifacts and memorabilia from various local military establishments, past and present.

LIBRARY

The current library building was built in 2000. It offers leisure-time and information services. The on-line computer catalog is patron friendly, allowing for easy access to the collection.

OUTDOOR RECREATION CONNECTION AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM

Equipment Checkout provides sport and recreational equipment for Fairchild personnel. The Outdoor Adventure offers trips with the beginner adventurer in mind, but plenty of challenges for the most advanced outdoorsmen or women.

SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER

The Sports and Fitness Center athletic staff manages a wide range of programs for individual and team sports, intramural programs, self-directed activities and special events.

SPORTS RANGE

92ND Services operates a sports range at Fairchild, offering two skeet fields and two trap fields, a golf driving range and an archery range. It is open daily to all people authorized to use Services Squadron facilities.

SWIMMING POOLS

Fairchild's indoor swimming pool is open year-round. The facilities also include a jacuzzi, a wading pool for children under age 6, locker rooms and showers. The pool staff offers swimming lessons, competition, open and special group swimming. The outdoor pool is open to all base personnel during summer months.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

British Columbia borders Washington State on the north, on the south by Oregon, on the east by Idaho and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The topography of this land varies from golden wheat fields to snow-capped mountains, from massive forests to deserts, and from pristine lakes to raging rivers. The Cascade Mountains divides the state north to south, which are topped by four snow-capped dormant volcanoes. The state is a vast and varied region of rugged, sometimes awesome beauty, where great stretches of barren flatlands give way suddenly to awesome rock formations and sparkling waterfalls. The varied climate and terrain make it possible for residents to enjoy a wide variety of activities throughout the year. There are 76 lakes and four major rivers within a 50-mile radius of the city, offering all kinds of recreational activities.Dozens of these lakes are unknown except by residents and offer excellent fishing and swimming. The big lakes of Idaho are located just a short distance away.

Spokane is a city with four distinct seasons. About 70 percent of total precipitation falls between the first of October and the end of March and about half of that falls as snow. The growing season usually is from mid-April to mid-October. Summer weather is ideal for full enjoyment of the many mountain and lake recreational areas in the immediate vicinity. Winter weather includes many cloudy or foggy days and below freezing temperatures with occasional snowfall of several inches. Snowfall averages about 46 inches a year.

SPOKANE HISTORY, ECONOMY, FACTS & FIGURES

Major attractions include a museum of Spokane's early days, a museum of Indian history and artifacts, a tribute to former resident Bing Crosby and, typical of all Washington cities, plenty of nearby recreational activities. Spokane is still enjoying many facilities used during the 1974 World Exposition. The EXPO site, Riverfront Park, is in the tradition of Spokane's superior public park system. Located in the city's center, the park features museums, an opera house and a convention center. Lewis and Clark explored this region in 1805. There are six major hospitals offering open-heart surgery, cancer treatment, neo-natal care, kidney dialysis and heart/lung transplants. Major industries include: construction and mining; manufacturing; transportation, communication and utilities; finance, insurance, and real estate; health care delivery; and government. Nearby forests account for one-quarter of the world's white pine trees. There are nearly 31 million acres of commercial forests in the Spokane marketplace.