Operation Refresh takes Air Force dining to next level

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY --  A new initiative sweeping Air Force eateries around the globe intends to give Airmen healthier, trendy options when visiting dining facilities.

The program, Operation Refresh, stems from customer feedback cards and suggestions made at force support squadrons service-wide from Airmen and civilians desiring a better variety of healthy food choices. The suggestions did not go unheard, as Air Force officials consulted with experts to add new menu items and research current food trends, according to Annette Strapple, division chief of integrated marketing and branding at Headquarters, Air Force Services in San Antonio.

"The goal is to develop menu items that are nutritionally balanced, eye appealing and taste good," Strapple said. "These changes will ensure our warfighters are refueled and remain fit to fight."

Airmen have long said goodbye to days of mystery meat on the menus in dining facilities as Air Force officials continually make strides in efforts to add healthier and varied options in eateries.

At Incirlik, new menu items are receiving positive reviews as the Sultan Inn dining facility manger, Andrew Pastula, works with local contractors to provide high-quality and diverse meals for customers, he said.

"Variety is the key to keeping the [customers] happy here," said Pastula, who is on his 12th year at Incirlik. "Many people do not know that Incirlik has the busiest dining facility in (U.S. Air Forces in Europe). We try to find ways to capture the audience and not have them feel they are missing out, because they do not have many options on base."

In addition to the normal staples like the sandwich and grill station, Pastula and his staff hold themed nights offering Mexican, Italian and other ethnic cuisine. These nights, along with new additions from Operation Refresh, hope to give patrons something to look forward to and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

"The introduction of these contemporary menu offerings should boost satisfaction and increase essential station messing utilization above the current 41 percent rate," Strapple said.

The Sultan Inn recently began a new partnership with a local distributor and hopes to offer a new item each day, such as a new vegetable, entrée or fruit. The staff intends to spark interest in the new options and change the monotony that can come with dining at the same place daily.

"Customers can request things, and they do; but sometimes, because of our regulations, it is not feasible for us," Pastula said. "If we can do something, we like to give it a try; and with a new item a day, we hope our customers will know we are doing this with them in mind."

Through Operation Refresh, dishes such as a pesto chicken sandwich, a cheddar bacon and tomato sandwich, Asian grilled pork chops and several new fish entrees will soon make their way to the serving line. Customers of the Sultan Inn are encouraged to make suggestions or give feedback about the new items using comment cards available in the facility.