Building Blocks - Back to the Basics

  • Published
  • By Capt Mark Medvesky
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ --  Like most services flights and squadrons, the members of 514th Services Flight filled their annual training requirement to set up and work their field kitchen during a 24-hour period.

Twenty-one flight members spent last Thursday setting up the Single Pallet Expeditionary Kitchen (SPEK) and cooking their dinner meal in the heat and humidity in an open field on McGuire Air Force Base. N.J.

Another part of the requirement is to spend the night in their workplace. After a night in the balmy weather and hearty breakfast; the work of tearing the site down began. The flight spent Friday morning cleaning and packing and storing the gear they set up the previous day.

"That training was fantastic. I'd rather do that every weekend then push paper. I loved it, I loved being out there," said Senior Airman Matthew Kenkelen, services technician, 514th SVF.

"This training was a refresher and an insightful take on the procedures to doing a mission. The highlights were the teamwork and the communication. Overall it was a good experience," said Senior Airman Randy Pruden, services technician, 514th SVF.

But it is not to the storage shed with this equipment yet. Capt. William Chaikowsky, commander, 514th SVF explained the flight intends to send an eight-person team to an Air Force Reserve Command Service's Combat Readiness Challenge competition. This event will mark the first time the 514th will field a team. The competition will be held Oct. 24-27 at the Services Combat Training Site, Dobbins AFB, GA.

"This is the first of many set-ups and tear-downs for us this year" said Captain Chaikowsky. "We need to continue building on the positive. This two-day experience left the flight feeling positive about their skills as well as their ability to perform their wartime duties. The hot wash left us with some areas to improve upon but overall this was an invaluable experience and something to build upon with a great team."