Exchange to continue Ops despite potential government shutdown 4/7/2011 - DALLAS (AFNS) -- The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is planning to continue operations even if the U.S. Government shuts down. On April 9, the current budget authorization will expire. At that point, the federal government will potentially institute a mandatory shutdown for "non-essential" personnel. While this action impacts the government, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is largely unaffected. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund instrumentality. This means the majority of its budget does not rely on tax dollars. "While the federal government shuts down, business at the Exchange remains largely unchanged. However, some transactions may be delayed, such as the purchase of firearms which require background checks or other federal government actions," said Col. Virgil Williams, the chief of staff for the Exchange. As a matter of course, the Department of Defense plans for contingencies. Since 1980, all agencies have had to have a plan in case of a government shutdown, and these plans are updated routinely. "The Exchange will do everything we have to do to continue to support the deployed troops," Williams said. (Courtesy of Army and Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs)