Best dining facility in Third Army

Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James L. Hodge, commanding general of Army Material Command Forward Southwest Asia/U.S. Army Central, presents the Third Army/USARCENT Phillip A. Connelly Award to Col. David G. Cotter, Area Support Group Qatar commander, on Dec. 3. The award officially recognized ASG-QA dining facility staff for providing the Army's best food facility in Southwest Asia. "You are the best in Third Army," said Cotter to his staff, "and you are the best that I have seen." As one of eight finalists, ASG-QA will be inspected on Dec. 6 for a Department of the Army Connelly Award.  

CAMP AS SALIYAH, QATAR

12.03.2007

Story by Dustin Senger 

Area Support Group - Qatar

By DUSTIN SENGER
Area Support Group - Qatar Public Affairs

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – On Dec. 3, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James L. Hodge, commanding general of Army Material Command Forward Southwest Asia/U.S. Army Central, presented the Area Support Group Qatar commander with the Third Army/U.S. Army Central Philip A. Connelly Award to recognize the Camp As Sayliyah dining facility as the best in the command's area of responsibility, spanning from the Horn of Africa through Southwest and Central Asia, supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

"You are the best in Third Army," said Hodge on behalf of the Third Army/USARCENT commander. "I hope to see you win overall" After over $200,000 in renovations and improvements in overall operations, this is the first time the facility was awarded a Connelly Award. On Dec. 6, the ASG-QA dining facility staff will present this year's improvements to Department of the Army Connelly Award inspectors, as one of eight finalists.

"Take it to the top or you might as well stop." said Chief Warrant Officer Verona Williams, from Columbus Ga., the installation food service officer. "This is our Super Bowl in food service, and we're going to win!" After 23 years active duty in the Army, Williams has competed eight times in the Connelly competitions; earning two awards while stationed at Fort Hood.

"We are not competing to win but to provide the best service for those deployed in this area of responsibility," said Hodge. ASG-QA executes U.S. Central Command's Rest and Recuperation Pass Program from Camp As Sayliyah. Since the program's inception in 2004, almost 150,000 participants have come to Qatar for a brief respite from military operations throughout Southwest Asia.

• Date Taken: 12.03.2007
• Date Posted: 12.03.2007 11:24
• Story ID: 14346
• Location: CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA