News

Reservists train to feed the deployed masses

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Reservists from the 446th Services Flight here are polishing their skills in preparation for a two-week training exercise that will demonstrate their food-serving prowess and troop-caring might.

The training will take place at Fort Wolters, Texas as part of Exercise Patriot Defender, an annual field exercise for security forces, supported by services personnel.

"I'm real proud of the efforts of our Reservists," said Lt. Col. Patricia Keenan, 446th SVF commander. "We have an awesome group of people."

The services professionals will be responsible for feeding about 120 security forces troops three times a day. That means waking up at 2 a.m. to have breakfast hot and ready by 4 a.m.

"This is a very important training opportunity for us," said Master Sgt. Robert Shulman, 446th SVF. "Some of our Reservists have never been on this kind of mission, so this will be a great opportunity to hone our skills and boost morale."

Only recently has the 446th SVF combined its training focus to include both functions of the career field: mortuary affairs, and what's known as prime R.I.B.S. (readiness in base services).

"It's amazing to see how well our folks do both sides of the mission," said Colonel Keenan.

Members of the 446th SVF are looking forward to the challenge.

"This will be a cool team-building exercise," said Staff Sgt. Mike Bishop, who previously served in the honor guard for mortuary affairs at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

"It's vitally important for us to take care of the troops," said Sergeant Bishop. "When it comes to looking after the Airmen involved in combat, the least we can do is provide some warm food and a little feeling of home."