366th Services Squadron food operation named best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  From Feb. 13 through 17, Mountain Home Air Force Base welcomed the Air Force Hennessy Evaluation Team for the third time in a row and recently was named the Air Force level winner.

For the last three years, the 366th Services Squadron has owned the John L. Hennessy trophy at the Air Combat Command level and this year marks the first time they can also claim the award at the Air Force level, after beating out five other major command finalists.

At the start of the meticulous evaluation, Capt. Adam Vaccarezza, 366th SVS combat support flight commander, was convinced his team was poised and ready for the challenge.

He was proven right April 9 when the 366th SVS food service team was named Best Food Service in the Air Force in the multiple-facility category as two dining services are offered here -- the Wagon Wheel Dining Facility and Trail Winds Flight Kitchen. A team will be chosen to travel to Chicago to accept the John L. Hennessy trophy at the National Restaurant Association Show May 17.

"The Airmen worked really hard to make this happen," said Captain Vaccarezza. "They deserve the credit."

Services leadership believes their exemplary teamwork, flexibility and winning attitudes were contributing factors to the win.

"From day one, the Airmen stepped up and took ownership of every detail involved in the Hennessy preparation," said Maj. James Beaty, 366th SVS commander. "The commitment involved in an evaluation of this level must be 100 percent, and this team gave that and more."

Services leadership didn't realize how true their statement was, as Air Force leadership agreed with Major Beaty's statement.

"The award is based on the entire scope of an installation's food service program," said Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, Air Force vice chief of staff. "Our winners display excellence in management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training and safety awareness. Congratulations for a job well done."

The John L. Hennessy trophy is an annual award presented to the Air Force installation, in single- and multiple-facility categories, with the best food service program in the Air Force. The award is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association. This is the 52nd year for the single- and multiple-facility category competition.