Food service specialists feed the force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Feeding thousands of military members four meals a day can be a lot of work at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. For the 51st Force Support Squadron food service specialists, providing food to service members is what they do to contribute to the mission.

Food service specialists stock, prepare, and serve food for each meal period, make more food as needed, and make sure their facilities are clean and presentable.

"We would start prepping early in the morning for breakfast, serve it and progressively cook the meals as we need it," said Airman 1st Class Linsun Jackson, 51st Force Support Squadron food service specialist. "Once breakfast ends, the process starts again for lunch and dinner."

The menu is on a 14-day schedule determined by the Air Force Services Agency. The items for each meal are taken from that menu and prepared for breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight meal. Getting at least three meals a day is part of a proper diet, vital for a person to stay combat ready.

"I feel that it is very important for someone to get their three meals a day because without food you wouldn't be ready to fight," said Army Pvt. Shequoi Bryan, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade food service specialist. "If something was to happen and you're hungry you may not have that will power you need to go on."

Food service specialists pride themselves on the service they provide to their dining facility patrons, and the satisfaction of seeing them like the food is worth it, said Jackson.

"Basically you see everyone who lives on this base come to eat," she said. "We see how they react to our food and when they enjoy it, that gives us a good feeling."

Aircraft require fuel to be able to do perform their flying missions. People are very similar in that way as they also need their own fuel source to be able to accomplish their duty effectively. Food service specialists provide that fuel so Osan's mission continues flawlessly. By feeding the members of the base they enable the Airmen and airpower to be mission-ready.