Hold the Fries: Afghan Bases Cut Fast Food

By: Daniel Carty
Topics: Afghanistan

(Credit: AP Photo, file)

The U.S. military has long had the Taliban in its cross hairs, but it's recently set its sights on another target in Afghanistan - the Whopper.

Fast food joints like Burger King, Pizza Hut and T.G.I. Friday's have given soldiers at military bases throughout the country a taste of home during their combat tours. But those days are numbered, according to a Reuters report.

"This is a war zone -- not an amusement park," Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall blogged earlier this year.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan

"Supplying nonessential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need."

There are other cuts in the works. Orange Julius, Dairy Queen and Military Car Sales are on the way out and Hall said there would be fewer canned and bottled goods coming into the country, as well cutbacks on first-run movies and other entertainment.

According to Reuters, some soldiers aren't happy about the cuts. But until the chains' contracts expire, there's still time to get one last order of fries.

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by ustare April 7, 2010 1:21 PM EDT: Unless things have really changed at KAF, there wasn't an O-club there. Its a shame they want to remove some of these fast-food places around the boardwalk there. It used to be one of the things we looked forward to whenever we got the chance to make it to a "big" base from our small FOB's. Just a few minutes to relax and enjoy a BK burger and fries or a coffee and donut at Tim Horton's. Just a short stop at these places really did a lot to boost our spirits. Much more than a visit from some VIP stateside. I noticed they didn't talk about removing the fast food joints up at Bagram Air Base where US brass hangs their hats.; Reply to this comment

by TVO1CITW April 6, 2010 3:15 PM EDT

They are not going to die of a heart attack before led poisoning.

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by TVO1CITW April 6, 2010 3:15 PM EDT: lead


by Empire-George- April 6, 2010 1:40 PM EDT: by nomealaska April 6, 2010 12:44 PM EDT

When they come home, just watch out for the one's who will shoot up the place too.
______________

That is extremely offensive, why would they "shoot up the place" any more than any other person ?

See this is the danger with the Democrat party demonizing returning war veterans and those right of center.....people actually begin to think that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are going to "shoot up the place"....what a horrible comment.; Reply to this comment


by cyberus-2009 April 6, 2010 12:09 PM EDT: The idiot that came up with this policy should be sentenced to a diet of nothing but MREs for as long as there are combat boots on the ground over there.
Sadly as mentioned already the ones that did come up with it will be eating restaurant quality food far from the lines, most likely while lamenting about how "soft" the troops are.; Reply to this comment

by edgy44 April 6, 2010 12:04 PM EDT

As long as they have their own supply chain, they can exist. The difference right now, is we are using C-17's to transport junk food instead of war material. That's unacceptable. Let them buy their own distribution network. We are wanting to promote capitalism after all.

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by Living_the_High_Life April 6, 2010 5:23 PM EDT: I'll agree with you on this. If they want to continue to make a profit (which they must make a nice one over there) then they can buy an airplane, hire someone to fly them, and deliver them to the soilders that way. They will still end up making a profit, just not as much.


by Brokennews April 6, 2010 11:43 AM EDT: Great! Now they have created an environment were criminal gangs will corner the market for black market imitation burgers! "Psst! Hey buddy, I can hook you up! I got everything! McDunlds, Wondy's, Burger Queen & Kandahar Fried Chicken!"; Reply to this comment

by ejcspau April 6, 2010 11:40 AM EDT

The military bases overseas are the LAST place we should remove these services from. The men and women are putting their lives on the line for us back here, now we tell them "you only get bread and water? no entertainment to give you an escape, if only for a moment!" Another slap in the face for the brave soldiers protecting us. Shame on the generals who sit in their chairs, safe from harms way.

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by goirish1974 April 6, 2010 11:49 AM EDT: I agree.


by nomealaska April 6, 2010 12:44 PM EDT: Bring the troops home, then they can just go get a burger whenever they want. When they come home, just watch out for the one's who will shoot up the place too.