51st SVS prepares for Hennessy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 51st Services Squadron's Food Service Flight will put their best foot forward when the 2008 Air Force Hennessy Evaluation Team visits Feb. 19 through 22 for the annual Air Force-level competition.

The John L. Hennessy Award is presented to the Air Force installation with the best food service program. It recognizes outstanding dining facility operations and management, and inspires high morale, motivation and mission support.

Osan competes this year against Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.; Sheppard AFB, Texas and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

"The competition is tough," said Senior Master Sgt. Bill Lindley, section chief. "Food operations throughout the world operate excellent facilities and programs for our Airmen. The good thing is we learn from each other and this makes our operations better."

The flight operates three facilities and supports not only the 51st Fighter Wing, but also 7th Air Force, numerous tenant units and deployed personnel. 

The flight produces 1.25 million meals a year, making it the largest food operation in Pacific Air Force and the fourth largest in the Air Force.

In addition, the flight maintains and distributes approximately $800,000 worth of Meals Ready to Eat per year, the largest count in the Air Force.

During the evaluation, the team will assess Osan's entire food service program, including management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, resource conservation and safety awareness.

Another key area the evaluation team will focus on is training. According to Sergeant Lindley, training is one of the most challenging areas due to the high personnel turnover rate at Osan.

"Training is the biggest tool, and matching inbound personnel with the right job before they arrive at Osan helps the process," he said. "Luckily, we have a great relationship with our civilian workforce and they are the continuity in our facilities and help our new Airmen transition into one of our three facilities."

Airman 1st Class Latoria Blackmon said the family atmosphere, along with her training, makes her job a lot easier and fun.

"Our teamwork is tight," she said. "We're just one big, happy family doing the best job we can."

One of the most important areas the evaluation team will consider is employee and customer relations.

How does the flight keep members coming back every day, when there are so many other choices on base?

"[Our employee and customer relations] is what sets us apart from our competition," Sergeant Lindley said. "Our birthday meal at the Gingko Tree Dining Facility is offered monthly, where most bases offer this service quarterly. The Mongolian barbecue is offered at the Pacific House Dining Facility and an outdoor barbecue of steaks and ribs at the Back of the Hangar Dining Facility."

Furthermore, the flight receives numerous written and electronic feedback from customers.

"We compile ideas and discuss them in an open forum at the Dining Facility Advisory Council and approve suggestions when possible. If we can't approve the suggestion, we give our customers the reason why we cannot support it," Sergeant Lindley said.

He added that the outstanding support the flight receives the base's senior leadership makes the monthly programs a home run.

What will winning the Hennessy award mean to the 51st SVS' Food Service Flight?

Bragging rights? Sure, but that's not the most important thing.

"Winning this award would mean a lot," said Airman Blackmon. "But for me, as long as my customers leave happy, I know I've done my job."

Sergeant Lindley echoes the airman's sentiment.

"Winning this award is formal recognition of the outstanding service we provide to our customers every day," he said.