The Air Force has awarded a contract to Sodexo of Gaithersburg, Md., to execute the second phase of the Food Transformation Initiative at seven installations, announced service personnel officials Aug. 6. Sodexo will begin FTI operations on Oct. 1 at Barksdale AFB, La.; Beale AFB, Calif.; Dyess AFB, Tex.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; F.E. Warren, Wyo.; and Vandenberg AFB, Calif., they said. “FTI enables us to apply industry best practices and expertise to our food service operations and ultimately provide a better dining experience for our airmen,” said Maj. Gen. A.J. Stewart, Air Force Personnel Center commander at JBSA-Randolph, Tex. This includes expanded hours of operations at dining facilities and a larger variety of healthier menu choices and beverage options. The Air Force launched the initial FTI phase in October 2010 at six pilot locations: JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; MacDill AFB, Fla.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; and Travis AFB, Calif. “We have had fantastic feedback from our customers on the initial phase of FTI,” said Col. Mason Pigue, AFPC services directorate operations director. (San Antonio-Randolph report by TSgt. Steve Grever)
For years, sustainment challenges and spare parts shortages have hindered the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s readiness. But the Air Force’s experience flying F-35s heavily in operations against Iran have showed what the jet can be capable of, if maintainers get all the supplies and support they need.
