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Grissom leadership upholds annual holiday tradition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs staff
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Roles were reversed for 434th Air Refueling Wing leaders as they rolled up their sleeves and were stationed behind the food line to serve hungry Airmen a special holiday meal.

As done by commanders and leaders in the past, Col. Don Buckley, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, and fellow senior leadership donned aprons and chef hats to serve up an annual tradition.

"It's a great opportunity for them to see how hard our cooks and servers work", said Master Sgt. Felita Calvin, 434th Force Support Squadron dining facility manager. "And it gives the Airmen a chance to see them."

And see them they did as both Grissom's senior leadership and dining facility staff kept busy as Grissom troops came through doors in droves.

"We fed over 450 people," said Calvin. "We served 600 pounds of meat (including) 16 turkeys, 75 pound steamship round roast and 20 hams."

In order to make the Thanksgiving dinner a great experience for Airmen, the DFAC staff looked at last years numbers as well as how the overall Thanksgiving experience went to gauge how much food they needed this year to ensure.

Last year the dining facility had only nine turkeys and ended up running out of it quickly, leaving some out, so this year there were more turkeys and food purchased, said Calvin.

But it wasn't just a focus on quantity that drove this year's success. Quality of service was also a big emphasis.

"Last year we only had one line that served the Thanksgiving meal and the other line was for snacks", explained Calvin. "The main line was out the door, so this year we made both food lines the Thanksgiving meal."

All of the hard work and changes made by DFAC staff here seemed to pay off and work in their favor.

"I feel it was a good a pace," said Tech. Sgt. April Gandy, 434th Force Support Squadron store room non-commissioned officer in charge. "People weren't waiting and were very pleased."

The 434th Force Support Squadron is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, The largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer