Story and phtotos by Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn A. Ford
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs April 9, 2021
Leslie Champion, USO volunteer and U.S. Air Force spouse, left, and Levoun Ohan, USO volunteer and active duty service member, prepare hot dogs for members of the 86th Logistics Readiness Group at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. USO Kaiserslautern has more than 500 volunteers dedicated to the mission of strengthening America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
Leadership within the 86th Logistics Readiness Group teamed up with USO Kaiserslautern to provide lunch for their Airmen March 26.
“With the restrictions that are going on, it’s really tough on everybody,” said Master Sgt. Jeffery Henebry, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron first sergeant. “The only way we’re going to take care of everybody around is if we get creative.”
Recalling a previous event where the USO assisted in providing breakfast burritos to Airmen in the dorms, Henebry reached out for support in boosting the morale of the whole 86th LRG.
“We have to find ways that we can comply with all the restrictions that are going on,” Henebry said. “At the same time, still take care of our Airmen, show that we support them, because they’re the ones that are getting the mission done.”
In response, the USO canteen parked at the VRS vehicle compound. There, USO volunteers prepared 700 hot dogs, while VRS volunteers prepared to-go boxes with drinks and chips for individual offices.
Over a two-hour span, members from all four 86th LRG squadrons came to pick up lunch for their work centers. The event’s timing was seemingly perfect, as it coincided with a Group stand-down.
“We’ve been extremely busy as a whole lately,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle Streets, 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron command support staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “I feel like we needed a day like this, and I feel like they knew it.”
Something as simple as coordinating a lunch can send a positive message to Airmen.
“I can trust them,” Streets said. “They actually care about their people, their unit, and their well being as a whole.”
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron, right, fill boxes with lunches for fellow 86th Logistics Readiness Group Airmen on the VRS compound at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. The 86th LRG leaders wanted to boost the morale of their Airmen and reached out to USO Kaiserslautern for support. The USO provided 700 meals, feeding Airmen in all four squadrons.
USO Kaiserslautern volunteers cook hot dogs for U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Logistics Readiness Group at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. The USO provided 700 meals, feeding Airmen in all four 86th LRG squadrons.
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron prep hot dog buns with a USO volunteer at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. The 86th Logistics Readiness Group leaders wanted to boost the morale of their Airmen and reached out to USO Kaiserslautern for support. The USO provided 700 meals, feeding Airmen in all four 86th LRG squadrons.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Luke Langbehn, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron ground transportation, right, prepares a box of lunches for fellow Airmen within the 86th Logistics Readiness Group at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. The 86th LRG leaders wanted to boost the morale of their Airmen and reached out to USO Kaiserslautern for support. The USO provided 700 meals, feeding Airmen in all four LRG squadrons.
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rashonda Coleman, 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron superintendent, serves lunch to members of her unit at Ramstein Air Base, March 26. Meals were provided by USO Kaiserslautern.
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