Troops Beat the Heat Downrange with Liquid Refreshment Published July 2, 2008 By Army & Air Force Exchange Service Corporate Communications DALLAS, Texas -- With the dog days of summer upon them, troops downrange are beating the heat by purchasing a wide variety of cold drinks. In fact, of the top 20 items purchased in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom last month, 15 were in the form of liquid refreshment. "It's certainly no coincidence that with the temperatures ramping up there has been a significant increase in the number of cold drinks being sold at BXs and PXs downrange," said AAFES Contingency Planning Chief Lt. Col. Peter Butts. "With an average temperature of 112 degrees this time of year, keeping cool definitely becomes a priority." Deployed troops seeking relief from the heat made Monster and Red Bull the top selling items at 85 BX/PXs scattered throughout OEF/OIF in June. Monster was the biggest seller with troops knocking back 284,482 cans followed by 78,753 cans of Red Bull. "As the heat builds through July and August, the public can help keep troops cool and refreshed while they carry out their daily missions through the 'Gifts from the Homefront' program," said Butts. "Any American can keep deployed troops stocked with all of the necessities, without the hassle and cost of a traditional care package, with a BX/PX gift certificate that can be redeemed at any AAFES exchange, including 56 facilities in Iraq alone." Started soon after programs that allowed the general public to send mail addressed to "Any Service Member" were cancelled due to security concerns and transportation constraints, AAFES' military gift certificate campaign allows anyone to make a direct and tangible contribution to military morale with a gift certificate that can be redeemed for nearly anything that a specific service member wants. "Gifts from the Homefront" can be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling 877-770-4438. From there, BX/PX gift certificates are sent to individual service members (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or USO. These charitable partners have distributed 24,815 certificates, totaling more than $480,000, earmarked for "any servicemember." Top Ten Sellers at BX/PXs Downrange in June 2008 Item Quantity Monster Energy Drink 284,482 Red Bull 78,753 San Benedetto Green Tea 75,316 Monster Low Carb 71,987 San Benedetto Peach Tea 59,139 Newport Kings 56,466 San Benedetto Lemon Tea 56,434 Marlboro Lights 47,114 Arizona Sweet Tea 37,700 Starbucks Frappuccino Mocha 31,937 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp.