An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Dover reserve wing wins national food services award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bernie Kale
  • 512th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command’s 2017 John L. Hennessy Award winner, April 25.

The Hennessy Award recognizes the best food service programs in the Air Force, as well as individual excellence.

The 512 Airlift Wing’s MAS was one of four Air Force Reserve Command units to participate in the competition. The Hennessy evaluation teams visited the four AFRC installations to observe all aspects of dining operations. The inspection teams included a senior NCO, who is an expert in food services, and two food industry leaders.

“This award is very important to me and my squadron,” said Maj. Chris Radziewicz, 512th MAS commander. “The amount of effort and preparation displayed by my team was inspiring to watch.”

Winners are selected based on their display and execution of excellence in management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality and production, employee and customer relations, training and safety awareness according to William Spencer, chief of food operations for the Air Force Services Activity.

"I'm so incredibly proud of the squadron for this accomplishment,” said Col. Laura Radley, 512th Mission Support Group commander. “They put a plan in place with a timeline and milestones of accomplishment. They all came together and supported each other and fostered the support of the wing.”

“The selection process was difficult due to the superb achievement of all nominees,” said Col. Anne Gunter, Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services director, in her congratulatory letter to the command. “However, the level of excellence demonstrated by the 512th MAS Food Service Field Feeding team persevered. I am extremely proud of their efforts and continued dedication to the Air Force mission.”

The win is also significant, according to Radziewicz, due to the fact the 512th MAS is primarily a mortuary unit and the only Air Force unit charged with the mission of preparing America's fallen for their final journey home.

“In my opinion, there is no greater validation of a team’s strength then its ability to meet an unfamiliar challenge; work through adversity and win against seasoned opponents,” he said. “Winning is the ultimate validation of our team’s hard work.”