10,000 Deployed U.S. Troops are set to see free showings of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘. The Exchange and The Walt Disney Studios have a tradition of bringing big movies to deployed troops during the holidays and this year is no exception.

Thanks to the partnership between Disney and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, service members in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, and undisclosed locations in Southwest Asia will be able to see various showings of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in several undisclosed locations during their deployment. An estimated 10,000 troops are expected to be in attendance at the showings running from Dec. 18th through Jan 5th.

“Since 2012, the Exchange has forged a partnership with The Walt Disney Studios to bring first-run movies to our Nation’s heroes,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “Bringing a blockbuster movie like ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ to deployed troops during the holidays is a big morale boost. These service members are away from family and friends during this special time of year—and seeing a big release at the same time it’s being shown back home strengthens their connection with family and friends and eases the tensions of deployment.”

“It’s a privilege to do something special for these brave men and women,” said Ken Caldwell, Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager for North American Sales and Distribution at The Walt Disney Studios. “This is our way of thanking our troops for their service.”

We’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to all our service members stationed around the world!