New dining facility gets new design

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin | The sandwich bar at the new Eagles Nest South Dining Facility at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, offers 25th Combat Aviation Soldiers their choice of hot or cold sandwiches. The new dining facility opened April 15.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

04.27.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. Bryanna Poulin
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

TIKRIT, Iraq-- Soldiers dressed in Army Combat Uniforms (ACU) all bear a similar resemblance to one another, sometimes the only items that separates Soldiers from looking the same, are the name tags and rank on the uniform.

But even though Soldiers share the same likeness, one thing that definitely sets them apart, is their choice in killing hunger pains.

For 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers, deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, quenching their thirst or satisfying taste buds is one step easier with the new Eagles Nest South Dining Facility (DFAC) that officially opened April 15.

"Soldiers have a variety of food options for them now," said Martin Carey, area food service personnel, Kellog, Brown and Root (KBR) and native of Houston. "There is something here for everyone...even the most finicky eaters are happy."

Although the name has remained the same, Eagles Nest offers more food choices, sitting room and new equipment to ensure Soldiers have a relaxed dining experience.

"This DFAC is bigger, better and offers Soldiers a more comfortable environment," said DFAC manager, Master Sgt. Danny Vantassell, with the 25th CAB "In addition to the new ice cream machine and hands free sink, it also features a hot grill to toast sandwiches."

The DFAC is more spacious and provides a better atmosphere for Soldiers, noted Sgt. Adrianna Cooper, a food service sergeant with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment. The previous DFAC was smaller and more congested.

The Eagles Nest South sets itself apart from other dining facilities because it's the only hard covered building in Northwestern Iraq.

"Other dining facilities are in tents," Carey noted. "This is the first and only hard structure dining facility on COB Speicher and in Northwestern Iraq that has been built."

Another added feature is the VIP room that offers privacy for commanders who desire to hold meetings while enjoying a meal.

"In the previous dining hall, we didn't have a private room available," Vantassel said. "Now if there are guest visitors, the VIP room can be used and they have the privacy that is needed."

Along with the new DFAC is a new crew of civilian workers who serve more than 10,000 meals daily.

"When we opened the new DFAC, we had newly contracted third country nationals (TCN)," Carey said. "We had to train them on the daily operations of the DFAC.

Finally, now that the DFAC is fully operative and serving Soldiers, implementing future menu items will be something Soldiers can look forward to.

"We are adding different food choices daily," Carey concluded. "We are trying to have a well rounded DFAC for everyone. For example; the facility will be adding a health food bar that offers high protein and low fat foods, for the health conscious Soldier."

• Date Taken: 04.27.2007
• Date Posted: 04.27.2007 10:03
• Story ID: 10145
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ