Jet Blast offers convenience to flightline Airmen

Published June 2, 2010
By Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem opened the Jet Blast Feb. 19, offering a convenient location for flightline workers to take advantage of a variety of services.

Whether Airmen need a haircut, a hot meal, computer access or just a place to relax, it can be found at the Jet Blast, located in Bldg. 160.

The facility is open 8:00 a.m. - midnight, Monday - Friday, and is open 24/7 during exercises, said Staff Sgt. Jason Rath, 52nd Mission Support Group Jet Blast NCO in charge.

Sabers can use the Jet Blast to host meetings in the conference room or visit the chaplain assigned to the building.

Airmen can also use the Jet Blast to order hot meals or "grab and go" lunches and dinners from the dining facility, as well as purchase food from a well-stocked snack fund throughout the day.

Lunch orders must be placed by e-mailing 52msg.jetblast@spangdahlem.af.mil before 9:00 a.m. and will arrive between 11:30 a.m. and noon, Sergeant Rath said. Dinner must be ordered prior to 2:00 p.m. and arrives between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Due to health regulations, meals can only be kept four hours after arriving to the building.

Airmen who are not on meal card must pay in person upon ordering. A daily menu for the dining facility is available at https://ice.usafe.af.mil/sites/52msg/fss/fsv/Lists/Mosel%20Dining%20Hall%20Menu/calendar.aspx.

"As flightline maintainers we don't have the ability to leave and take a lunch break," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Tenny, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft section NCO in charge. "It gives me an avenue to get these guys real meals from the dining facility. That wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the Jet Blast."

Also, if leaving the flightline for a hair cut is simply not an option, the Jet Blast offers a practical alternative. A barber is available to cut hair 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday.

"I think the barbershop is great for a flightline guy," said Staff Sgt. Richard Armpriester, 52nd AMXS flightline expeditor. "We can stop by, get our hair cut and get back to work without having to drive all the way to the other side of base and fight for parking."

With multiple network computers, foosball and a comfortable area with a TV for watching movies or the American Forces Network, the Jet Blast offers more than just haircuts and hot food.

It was designed to boost the Airmen's morale, Sergeant Rath said. It's a place where Airmen can get away from their work centers during breaks to relax and still be reachable by supervision if needed.

For more information about the Jet Blast call DSN 452-7877 or 452-7787.

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