PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- Reestablishing the U.S. military presence on Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from scratch requires hardworking and dedicated people from multiple specialties in the Air Force.
In order to support these foundational Airmen, there are two resources needed to ensure each worker has the strength needed to accomplish their assigned tasks.
Those resources are food and water.
Since the announcement of the reopening of PSAB as a pivotal part of the U.S. National Defense Strategy in the region, the food services for those deployed here have steadily improved to meet their needs.
As part of the base’s ongoing transition to what the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Brig. Gen. John Walker, has dubbed PSAB 2.0, the 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron is expanding its food services with the opening of its third dining facility to support the growing number of deployed warfighters at PSAB.
“Food Service operations are paramount in sustaining our warfighters each and every day,” said Lt. Col. Kristina Rennie, 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander. “Our food service professionals undoubtedly fuel the mission and have poured their full efforts into the wing’s priorities of projecting airpower and deterrence by supporting the joint effort in the CENTCOM theater.”
The new dining facility, will offer grab-n-go options and cold meals to include sandwiches, cereal and fruit. It will be an additional dining facility supplied and operated by the food services Soldiers and Airmen on the installation.
“Additional food options not only improve quality of life, but they robust mission support,” Rennie said. “By expanding our capabilities, we can now offer a magnitude of services that directly impact over 2,500 personnel in pursuit of joint operations, supporting Patriot missile sites and multiple airframes, thus increasing the lethality of our warfighters.
This isn’t the first time the base has expanded its food serving capabilities. In December 2019, the squadron opened its second dining facility, “The Sand Hut,” in order to support the joint service members who operate on the flight line. This addition enabled the installation to support its first incoming fighter and maintenance squadrons assigned to the installation since 2003.
“The service we offer and continued expansion is about sustaining the Warfighter and regenerating our joint service members,” said Master Sgt. Chad Zuehls, 378th EFSS superintendent of food services. “We’ve shown these abilities with offering enhanced meal support, expanding satellite feeding, and establishing food support for unit morale functions.”
The squadron isn’t just opening a new facility. It is also taking steps toward improving the customer satisfaction and experience offered at its existing facilities. The main dining facility at the Logistics Support Area (LSA), “The Golden Winds,” recently added additional handwashing stations, sunshades and a more streamlined layout in order to ensure the health and satisfaction of its customers.”
“Because our mission is always expanding, food service support must also robust our abilities,” Zuehls said. “Facility improvement, additional storage, and equipment acquisition are critical in employing our capability.”
The Sand Hut Dining Facility has also seen its share of improvements including an increased kitchen capacity and the creation of a flight meal program.