Twitter
Facebook
Working closely with the Ramstein Passenger Terminal and the fleet services flight, the Jawbone Flight Kitchen supports and maintains 24/7 meal services and operations for Ramstein Airmen, who are unable to sit down for a meal.
“We provide ideal customer service to all of our customers,” said Master Sgt. Tamala Williams, 786th Force Support Squadron flight kitchen NCOIC. “Our goal is to deliver nutritious meals on time to keep missions flying.”
To accomplish this mission, members of the flight kitchen work as a team to plan ahead and get things done.
“Teamwork and communication is key,” said Staff Sgt. Shellisa Forbes, 786th FSS food service journeyman. “Each shift must work together to set themselves and the next shift up for success.”
Flight kitchen members do more than cook meals for members of Ramstein.
“A lot of people think that all we do is make sandwiches,” Forbes said. “The job actually ranges from customer service to food safety, inventory, food waste control, funds accountability and resource protection.”
With many missions coming into the flight kitchen unplanned, Airmen of the Jawbone Flight Kitchen must organize as much in advance as possible.
“We have more than 250 boxed meals pre-made,” Williams said. “We do it to ensure we are ready to go in case a mission comes in and we have to have meals that need to go out right away.”
As much as they prepare ahead of time, there are many challenges members of the flight kitchen face on a day-to-day basis.
“It’s difficult to anticipate the amount of meals that are needed by aircraft departing Ramstein,” Forbes said. “It’s different every day, some days it is very busy and others it’s a little slower.”
Communicating with Airmen from the 721st Aerial Port Squadron flight control and fleet services to get the exact number of meals required is a huge help, Forbes said. The flight kitchen staff arranges the meals, then fleet services Airmen deliver the meals to the aircraft.
The flight kitchen personnel must keep a large stockpile of products that can be used and distributed on a daily basis.
“We go through a lot of water here,” said Senior Airman Alexis McGarrity, 786th FSS storeroom NCOIC. “I am in charge of all the inventory and ordering products. I order four pallets of water a week, totaling more than 4,000 bottles of water.”
The Jawbone Flight Kitchen staff offers hot meals for breakfast and lunch in their extended flight kitchen.
“A regular flight kitchen prepares only boxed meals,” Forbes said. “An extended flight kitchen is more of a miniature dining facility. We have room for 16 seats and Airmen can come in to get a hot breakfast or lunch.”
Airmen of the flight kitchen provide an assortment of foods for people to choose from.
For breakfast there is an omelet bar, boiled eggs, oatmeal, grits, bacon, biscuits, pancakes and french toast.
There is a variety of items for the lunch menu as well, including chicken, sloppy joes, sandwiches, buffalo wings, fries, onion rings, ravioli, baked beans, and veggies.
The Jawbone Flight Kitchen is open daily. Breakfast is served from 6 to 8 a.m. and lunch is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Services as a whole is important for the mission,” Forbes said. “Airmen cannot fly, fight and win if they are hungry, sleepy and out of shape. My job is to make sure all Airmen are fed to accomplish the mission.”
