Chow Time! Barksdale's DFAC to reopen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Red River Dining Facility is scheduled to reopen April 2 after undergoing renovations for the past several months.

Airmen may notice the new floor and ceiling tiles, but the sewage system was also upgraded. The project began in August and cost approximately $300,000.

During the construction, Airmen from the 2nd Force Support Squadron also chipped in by completing "self-help" projects throughout the facility.

"We fixed the main hallway walls by removing wood and painting them," said Tech. Sgt. Willie Andino, 2 FSS dining facility assistant manager. "We also painted the stalls and upgraded all of the restrooms as well as both dining areas, replaced ceiling tiles throughout the facility and repainted all of the offices. New ceiling fans were also installed throughout the dining areas."

Basic Allowance for Subsistence to be taken from meal card holders has not yet occurred. Once the dining facility reopens, the dorm Airmen who received BAS throughout the closure should take precautions on frivolous spending.

"The Airmen were advised that the DFAC closure was temporary and they would be placed back on meal card once it reopened," said Master Sgt. Anthony Grubb, 2nd Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "Airmen will still continue to be reminded of the upcoming change in their pay."

BAS was designed to supplement the closure of the DFAC to give Airmen the resources they need to purchase food during that time, he added.

Meal card holders were receiving approximately $324 a month during the closure of the DFAC.

"Hopefully, the Airmen have been using their BAS for food as intended," said Grubb. "If they have been using it for other means, they should be prepared to find alternate sources to use for those or discontinue them."

In accordance with Air Force Instruction 34-239 (Food Service Management Program), the DFAC is open to all enlisted personnel, commanders, squadron section commanders, retirees and their immediate family members. Department of Defense civilians in temporary duty status with meal portion of per diem and all immediate family members of deployed personnel are able to utilize the facility as well. Lastly, officers who are on alert status and are unable to leave their unit area are also able to use the DFAC.

The DFAC is open from 6 - 8 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch and 5 -7 p.m. for dinner. Midnight meals are served from 10:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. on weeknights only.

For more information, about the changes with BAS contact your unit first sergeant.