DECA provides ‘taste of home’

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Defense Commissary Agency-Europe manages more than 50 commissaries in ten countries including the commissary at the 'tip of the sword.' Although Incirlik's location provides some unique challenges, DeCA works hard to ensure local shoppers have the same access to a 'taste of home' as customers in other parts of Europe. 

"The far-flung locations like Incirlik are just as important to us as those just minutes away," said Gerri Young, DeCA Europe public affairs officer. "We put a great deal of effort into ensuring the Incirlik store is well supplied and the staff well trained." 

Stocking nearly 10,000 items, Incirlik's commissary has plenty of variety to offer its patrons. However, being located so far from its main storage facilities in Germany, getting products delivered presents a challenge. 

"Ninety-nine point three percent of the time we'll be fully stocked," said Chris Gomez, Incirlik's deputy commissary officer. "But, being so far away from our suppliers and being dependent on airlift and trucks (to deliver goods) from Germany, we are subject to a variety of delays from inclement weather to traffic." 

Even as delays in product shipments can occur, especially during winter months, Incirlik customers often won't notice a difference. 

"Typically, we'll have enough residual product in stock to hold us over," said Mr. Gomez.
While being six-days away from suppliers creates some disadvantages, the commissary here has some advantages over its European counterparts, especially when it comes to produce. 

"Half of our produce is grown in Turkey so we can offer some items that are not available at other bases in Europe," said Mr. Gomez. "For example, we'll be the only commissary with fresh strawberries available for Christmas." 

Along with fresh strawberries, the commissary will stock all the traditional holiday products in time for seasonal celebrations. 

"We order our holiday items in June and July and they usually arrive six to eight weeks prior to the holidays," said Mr. Gomez. "No need to worry, there will be plenty of holiday items available in ample quantities." 

Another benefit commissary patrons have come to expect is the annual case lot sales. Case lot sales, the next of which is scheduled for Sept. 23 and 24, feature some products at savings up to 50 percent. 

"Buyers (for the case lot sale) focus on the most popular name brands," said Mr. Gomez. "While you may not find your favorite items on sale, there will be a large enough variety to satisfy most families." 

In addition to providing goods to Team Incirlik, the commissary here supports people at the American Embassies in Damascus, Syria and Istanbul. 

"We handle six to seven orders per week from the embassies," said Mr. Gomez. "They go to www.commissaries.com to obtain their shopping lists, send their lists to us and we do their shopping for them. It's almost like shopping on-line." 

Whether it's providing goods for local shoppers or those geographically separated, the goal of the 33 local national and three American employees of Incirlik's commissary remains the same, according to Mr. Gomez, "To bring our authorized patrons the benefit of savings of 30 percent or more and to provide the best quality service possible."