Joint services team gives deployed troops a taste of home for Thanksgiving Published Nov. 25, 2011 By Capt. Gina Vaccaro McKeen 380th Expeditionary Air Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- While most of the deployed Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing were looking forward to the Army vs. Air Force flag football game followed by good food and fellowship this Thanksgiving; a group of hard working Airmen and Soldiers were working extra hours behind-the-scenes to give the troops here a true taste of home. The joint team worked overnight to prepare two full holiday meal setups for the deployed men and women at the wing offering classic dishes like roasted turkey, baked ham with pineapple glaze, baked macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and more. "Thanksgiving is a big holiday for folks. I feel it's our job to make the deployed troops here feel more relaxed and at home," said Senior Airman James Arredon, a quality assurance evaluator for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. The team offered traditional Thanksgiving meals at two different venues on base to accommodate as many people as possible and even added Thanksgiving Day meal items to the midnight meal service so that shift workers would not be left out. For Arredon, the chance to cook for his 380th AEW teammates meant a lot. "I've really enjoyed it," the St. Louis, Mo., native said. "It makes me feel like I'm making someone's day better." View the Thanksgiving Day slideshow here.