DFAC re-opens to hungry crowd

Published Feb. 2, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Mosel Dining Facility here re-opened Feb. 1 to nearly 500 lunch customers.

The facility closed in August 2010 for renovations to the cold-storage area, and engineers used this time to upgrade the serving line housing, electric infrastructure, seating area and overall appearance.

"This is a classic example, and probably the best example to date, of our concept of 'Behold the Power of Us,'" said Col. Chris Weggeman, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, as he delivered opening remarks for the ceremony.

Four major organizations came together as a team and brought this renovated facility to the Saber nation, he said about the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 52nd Force Support Squadron, 52nd Communications Squadron and 52nd Contracting Squadron. Their collective work led to a complete $1.5 million overhaul of the facility to better serve Airmen on the meal-card program.

"This is their DFAC," said Master Sgt. Jose Murillo-Fierro, 52nd FSS Food Service section chief, about Airmen who haven't decided if they will eat at the new facility. "It's very important for us to provide good, quality service for the Airmen, because that's why we're here. We're here for them."

Dining areas now have newer seating, tables, displayed artwork or murals, and TVs. The foot-traffic flow has changed to allow easier access to the serving lines and checkout lane. Health-food options are available for Airmen dining in or taking their lunch to go.

"There was really no other place to get healthy food this cheap," said Airman 1st Class Caleb Revell, 606th Air Control Squadron. "Now, I don't have to spend so much money at the fast-food places on base."

"Yeah, it's nice to actually have a DFAC to come and get the food you want, when you want it," said Airman 1st Class Robert Brown, 606th ACS and Revell's coworker.

The Mosel DFAC staff rotates meals based on the Air Force's standard 14-day schedule. The same basic meal structure is served at every facility worldwide. If enough Airmen request a menu change, the staff may incorporate other food options, such as German specialty items.

Comment cards are available for customers who want to leave feedback. People with access to military systems may leave comments at http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=service_provider_list&site_id=530&service_category_id=16&dep=*DoD by selecting "52 FSS Mosel Hall Dining Facility."

"We're always concerned with the Airmen's quality of life," said Chief Master Sgt. Priscilla Bolding, 52nd FSS superintendant. "One of FSS's main missions is to take care of the customer. That's what we live and breathe for, and I think we do a really good job."

Murillo-Fierro said FSS strives to provide their customers with the best services possible in regards to all of their facilities, events or activities, and the dining facility is no exception. However, the facility's value isn't based only upon the visible upgrades.

"We talk about the stuff, we talk about the granite countertops, the stainless steel, the murals, the artwork, the seats - all this physical stuff that we talk about," Weggeman said. "But, [the upgrade facility] is a testament to our people. This is a testament to our leadership and the passion they have for making a better quality of life for you, our Airmen. This is an example of 'you all' in action.

"Behold the power of us," he said.

Meal-card Airmen should check their next leave-and-earnings statement to see if they are still receiving full cost-of-living allowance or if they are not receiving meal deductions. Airmen should call the 52nd Comptroller Squadron's finance office immediately if they have questions to prevent any fraudulent payments. For more information, call DSN 452-6730.