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Fayetteville native deploys to keep Airmen fed

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command combat correspondent
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  "My father taught me that anything that is worth doing, is worth doing well," said Tech. Sgt. Reginald Morrison, U.S. Air Forces Central Command food services manager.

Morrison, a graduate of E.E. Smith Senior High School in Fayetteville, N.C., recently deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. His stateside job requires him to deploy more than six months in a year to set up food, lodging and other services capabilities in deployed locations. During this TDY, his tasking is to set up a dining facility in Southwest Asia.

Setting up a DFAC is a vital step in any installation's initial set up. People need to eat and drink, and Morrison is the one who ensures folks get those things.

Morrison won't forget the first time he stepped foot into the building he was tasked to turn into a DFAC.

"When I first saw the dining facility that I was supposed to set up, the building had nearly a half an inch of dirt and sand in it. Critters were running around in here," said Morrison, who's been in the Air Force since graduating high school 13 years ago. "Within four days, we took this place and had it ready for service. My goal is that when our follow-on forces arrive, they won't be able to tell how this place looked before we got here."

While preparing the DFAC is an important job, Morrison is taking on other duties as well. During the first two weeks here, Morrison's name was brought up at least twice at every staff meeting. He helps out so many people, he ends up having his hand in a little bit of everything.

"I like to help my fellow Airmen," said Morrison. "My first day here I operated a forklift to help the guys from transportation. If I know I can help someone, I do it. It's a great feeling."

Talking to Morrison is a treat. He gives just about everyone he sees a big "good morning/afternoon/evening, sir," along with a handshake. He doesn't even need to know you by name to treat you like a friend.

Morrison has developed quite the reputation for himself in his career field.

"When I first heard that Sergeant Morrison was going to be the one coming here, helping me out, I knew we were in good hands," said Staff Sgt. Shaun Collette, a services coworker of Morrison. "I was in a services class of his five months ago. It was almost a relief to hear that he was going to be the one leading the stand up the DFAC."

One week after Morrison's arrival, the DFAC is up and running. Now that his job here is complete, he will go back to his home station only for a few days before coming back out to the desert again.

"I'll go home for a little bit, then be back on a plane a few days later, heading to my next job" said Morrison. "I love my job."