Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 181st Intelligence Wing, take time to enjoy...... read more read more
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By Airman 1st Class Kevin D. Schulze
181 IW/PA
HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. – Over the last few months, the 181st Intelligence Wing Base Services Specialist, Master Sgt. Amberlee Helm, has been making changes to the on-base dining.
The 181st Services Flight (SVF) strives to provide the best service for all base employees and improve in any way they can.
“We are always trying to make things better and obviously we’re always looking to make things better for our customer and also for our Airmen,” said Helm.
These changes are not only aimed to help the customers, but also the Airmen with the 181st SVF.
“Our kitchen is way too small,” said Helm. “We have about 12 Airmen assigned to the kitchen staff and if you add the 12 Airmen plus the 12 [kitchen patrols] we have on a drill weekend you can see- if you’ve been in here on a drill weekend you would look at it and just say ‘What is this circus that’s going on in here?’ We have not had any safety incidences, but they are easily identifiable on drill weekend, but we can do this in a safer manner.”
The changes being made are necessary for the safety of the Airmen assigned to the 181st SVF as well as making it easier for them to meet the needs of their ever-changing jobs.
“The building design was not so great, it might have met the needs 20 years ago, but our mission has changed, our operation has changed, food service industry has changed and how we do things safely. There are a lot of things we’ve had to implement and change in our operation,” said Helm.
With a changing operation, Helm must find a way to adapt what she has to what is needed.
Adding square footage to the building is impossible, but rearranging the kitchen area to provide a more open environment allows the Airmen to work more efficiently and safely, said Helm.
Step one is moving the clipper in the dining area. Not only does it open up kitchen space, but it also eliminates cross flow of Airmen entering the meal line and Airmen putting their trays away, said Master Sgt. Helm.
Many of the changes may seem small, but the plan involves much more to come and will improve the effectiveness of the 181st SVF.
“A lot of people just aren’t aware yet of what we have in store, there will be some changes that happen in the DFAC. We did get the contract to move the clipper; we also received funding for new serving lines and a new salad bar so that will help change the congestion.”
With every great plan come roadblocks that cause trouble, however the Airmen assigned to the 181st SVF will do their best to make every transition a smooth one “At first I would just ask for patience since there will be some bumps,” said Helm. “This building hasn’t had any changes to it since it was built.”
If there are any suggestions or feedback on any of the services options, there are comment cards at each functional area within the squadron, said Helm.
Although the 181st SVF is only one part of a bigger whole, the changes they make affect the mission readiness of the 181st IW. Anything that improves their effectiveness also improves the base. With a better base comes a better service to our community, state and nation.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2016 08:52 |
| Story ID: | 186174 |
| Location: | TERRE HAUTE, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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