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New coffee bistro gives Airmen a taste of home

  • Published
  • By Maj. Dale Greer
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHEWST ASIA --  Airmen assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing are getting a little taste of home, thanks to a coffee bistro that officially opened here Sept. 24.

The new café offers a variety of snacks and beverages - from pastries and muffins to cappuccinos, lattés, iced coffees, and fruit smoothies - all served in a relaxing atmosphere of muted colors, comfortable chairs and soothing light.

The bistro, located in the Oasis Morale Center, replaces a spartan coffee bar that featured little more than a service counter, said Maj. Rosalie Duarte, commander of the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron here.

"The new facility is much more inviting," she said. "We have stylish wooden furniture, area rugs and leather sofas, just like any nice coffee house back home."

Recent customers would seem to agree.

"The atmosphere here is just great," said Master Sgt. Ray Kelly, an anti-terrorism NCO assigned to the 387th Air Expeditionary Group who was enjoying a cup of coffee at the café last week. "It's a really welcoming place that gives you a comfortable, homey feel."

Another customer, Master Sgt. Richard Coleman of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, described the bistro as peaceful and serene, saying the "overall ambiance and low lighting are very relaxing."

One of the cafe's signature features is free Internet access, giving patrons a social venue in which to relax while browsing the Web during off-duty hours.

"A lot of Airmen lock themselves up in their dorm rooms when they surf, because that's where Internet access is most readily available," said Capt. Robin Herndon, commander of the Community Support Flight and project officer for the bistro. "The new café provides them with them with a place to continue surfing, but in a more social setting where they'll be interacting with other Airmen."

Sergeant Coleman said he hasn't yet had a chance to surf at the café, but he's looking forward to using the service.

"I'm sure that will help get me out of my dorm room more often," he added.

Services like the bistro are important because they play a key role in boosting Airman morale and readiness, Major Duarte explained.

"Most of the Airmen stationed here are deployed for either six months or a year," she said. "That's a long time to be away from the comfort and conveniences of home. Anything we can do to make these deployments a little more comfortable goes a long way toward enhancing the morale of our Airmen.

"These kinds of quality-of-life improvements ultimately enhance the wing's overall mission effectiveness. But more importantly, they're the right thing to do to take care of our Airmen."