Air Combat Command campus feeding survey

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John D. Strong II
  • 49th FW/PA
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  An Air Combat Command campus feeding survey is taking place throughout the command, and Holloman Air Force Base was the survey team's latest stop. The goal of the campus feeding survey is to see if our base can handle making a switch from our current dining style to a more convenient campus dining style.

Members of the ACC campus survey team arrived on Holloman last week, and during their stay here, the team assessed the base's mission, market, facilities and overall business status.

The team met with seven different focus groups ranging from enlisted over and under 30; enlisted under 30 with essential station messing; officers under and over 30; civilians, and German Air Force.

"After talking to the ESM Airmen, the campus survey team learned that Airmen are spending on average $300 a month outside of the Shifting Sands Dining Facility, because they aren't fond of eating 21 meals a week at the dining facility," said 2nd Lt. Ronald Miller; 49th Services Squadron, officer in charge of food operations. "The variety, nutritional value and operating hours of the dining facility were other concerns of the Airmen" Lt. Miller said.

With working hours varying from squadron to squadron, Airmen are finding it difficult to get to the dining facility within the hours that it's open. One of the biggest changes coming from the feeding survey would be the variety of places to dine for the ESM card holders. ESM card holders would be able to use their cards, at such places as the Apache Mesa Golf Club, JR Rockers, the Desert Lanes Bowling Center, Oasis Pizza, and the Base Exchange's food court.

"I think it's more convenient especially since I'm not able to get out of my office within the hours of the dining facility," said Airman Andrea Brewer, 49th Fighter Wing, Judge Advocates office. She also said that having the ability to have different places to eat is a great idea because you're not just limited to what the dining facility is offering.

The results from the campus survey on Holloman won't be back until June, and the full ACC report won't be back until September. Until the report comes in, we will continue to dine in the same manner we have been, but the change of dining styles has some Airmen excited and anticipating the change, like Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter, 49th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs office.

"When I first heard about the proposed plan, I thought to myself, 'Wow, that'd be nice.' Personally, I don't mind eating at the dining facility but having the opportunity to eat elsewhere and not worry about spending money would be great. I believe most Airmen would take advantage of being able to have more variety in what they eat. I'm interested in seeing how it will all pan out, but I believe it's a great idea."