650th RSG Soldiers run DFAC at Fort McCoy

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Spc. Waylon Colwell and Pvt. Kassandra Angeles, 650th RSG food service specialists, were identified as high speed individuals at the Forward Operating Base Liberty's dining facility, during the Combat Support Training Exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis., June 4.  

FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

06.03.2015

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

FORT MCCOY, Wis. – Thanks to the hard work of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trent Skinner, 650th Regional Support Group food adviser, Forward Operating Base Liberty's dining facility was able to serve hot food on its first day of operation during the Combat Support Training Exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, June 3.

This year's CSTX will be conducted over six FOBs and will serve more than 3,000 Soldiers from U.S. Army Reserve units from around the country.

"This was clearly a team effort and most of the credit goes to the young enlisted Soldiers who do the hands-on work," said Skinner. "As long as we accomplish our mission, we are happy to be here."

This food service team is comprised of 14 Soldiers who are split into two shifts that serve breakfast and dinner meals from 6 to 8 a.m. in the morning and 5 to 7 p.m. in the evening.

Meals are served at six FOBs that include FOB Independence, FOB Justice, FOB Big Sandy Lake, FOB Freedom, FOB Patriot and FOB Liberty, where food is distributed either by Mobile Kitchen Trailers or Containerized Kitchens.

"I like to work with my hands and be around people," said Spc. Waylon Colwell, 650th RSG food service specialist. "This event has been well organized due to our strong leadership."

The Containerized Kitchen is the first field kitchen to be introduced into the Army inventory since the Mobile Kitchen Trailer in 1975. In testing, the Containerized Kitchen enables cooks to feed more than 650 Soldiers three meals per day.

"I wanted to be a food service specialist because it is related to my volunteer work at home," said Pvt. Kassandra Angeles, 650th RSG food service specialist. "We feed all the troops and give them moral support, and everyone likes food."

The Containerized Kitchen has running water for food and beverage preparation, and for hand washing. It can also roast, grill, boil, fry and bake foods. The serving line is also protected from inclement weather.

The food service specialist is primarily responsible for the preparation and service of food in field or garrison food service operations. A food service specialist prepares all types of food according to standard and dietetic recipes, as well as ordering and inspecting food supplies and preparing meats for cooking.

• Date Taken: 06.03.2015
• Date Posted: 06.04.2015 14:10
• Story ID: 165500
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US