Hennessy team visits Gunfighters

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sonya Long
  • 366th Services Squadron
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  A team of Air Force food service experts is scheduled to visit here Feb. 24 to rate the base's dining facility against others across the Air Force as part of the annual John L. Hennessy Trophy competition. 

Established in 1956, the Hennessy Trophy goes to the base with the most impressive food service program in the Air Force, according to Blaine Miller, director of services with the 366th Services Squadron. In addition to inspiring pride, professionalism and morale among services troops, the competition promotes excellence in customer service and quality of meals as well as outstanding management and force readiness support. 

"The Hennessy award is the highest honor a food service operation can attain," Mr. Miller said. "The nomination and recognition of our base is something that all troops can be proud of." 

The year marks the third straight year the base will vie for the Air Force honor. It also marks the third year the base's food service operations earned top honors in Air Combat Command's competition, which leads up to the Air Force-level contest. 

In its quest for the Air Force title, the base faces off against nine other nominees across the service with the official announcement scheduled for release in April. 

Bases compete for the award in single or multiple categories. Single-category entries include bases with one dining facility serving three meals a day Monday through Friday. Mountain Home competes in the multiple facility category, which rates bases with two or more dining facilities serving three meals a day all week. 

During the three-day inspection, the evaluation team will inspect the Wagon Wheel Dining Facility, Tumbleweed Café flight kitchen as well as the squadron's supply warehouse. 

The food service team here offers services not available at facilities at other bases, according to Mr. Miller. For example, the Wagon Wheel serves special holiday and birthday meals each month in addition to Air Force food services' standard 14 day worldwide menu. On these special occasions, the dining staff features steak, shrimp and delectable desserts on its menu. 

"The main focus is to reach out to dorm residents who may not get to have a home cooked meal with their families," Mr. Miller said. 

In this competition, Mountain Home shines above the rest thanks to the dedication of services troops and customer feedback, he added. "This information gives us the necessary tools to make our dining facilities the best they can be. Win or lose, customer satisfaction is our top priority."