The main store encompasses over 34,000 square foot and carries a complete line of clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, audio and video equipment, food and beverage items, health and beauty aids, books and magazines, toys, hardware and paints, pet supplies, and outdoor gardening and living equipment. Military members and retirees can use their Star Card, which allows our customers to buy now and pay later. The Star card is accepted at the Main Exchange, Shoppette, Furniture Store, and Military Clothing.

Our furniture store carries many recognized name brand items such as: Bassett, Burkline, Lazy 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, flower shop, gift shop, optical shop, GNC store, alterations, dry cleaners and a Sprint PCS phone store. The mall also houses a food court, which includes Anthony's Pizza Parlor, Sunset Strips and Robin Hood Sandwich Shop.

There is a bank and credit union located between the Commissary and Class Six.

The exchange also operates a Burger King, Survival Exchange, Class Six, Furniture Store, Theater and Shoppette. The Shoppette stocks a variety of food items, picnic supplies, soft drinks, beer and wine coolers, and prepared sandwiches. The Shoppette has 24-hour gasoline pumps and video rentals. The theater is open Friday and Saturday. Movie performances usually begin at 7 p.m., with occasional matinees.

Again, we welcome you to the Fairchild Exchange and wish you an enjoyable experience. We welcome you to use the Exchange Customer Comment Boxes located throughout our facilities for your questions or suggestions. If you are interested in a job, stop by the Human Resource office in the main store. If there is anything any member of my staff or I can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to call (509) 244-3641, email me or come by my office in the Main Exchange. Enjoy your visit to Fairchild.

Colleen T Murray
General Manager

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.

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 little known 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.

In FY 2007, Fairchild contributed $471,523.98 to the MWR Dividend program which helps support the Fitness Center, Deel Recreation Center, Bowling Alley and Child Care Center.

• 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.

• CLUB FAIRCHILD 
  Club Fairchild is open to officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, and retired members. The Club caters parties, weddings, meetings, etc.

• 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.

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