DFAC closes temporarily

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Artemy Shpakovsky
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Dakota Inn Dining Facility here was closed Sept. 14 for repair purposes to enhance the overall dining experience for Minot's Airmen.

"The contractors are working on fixing the roofing so there are no leaks," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffery R. Todd, 5th Force Support Squadron's noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the dining facility. "They are also working on repairing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems."

HVAC problems can negatively affect the working state of many vital machines like walk-in freezers.

"I don't know if there are many improvements the customer will see, but next summer it will be a little cooler in here than it was this summer," Sergeant Todd said. "These repairs needed to be done for years, and we finally got the funding to do it," Sergeant Todd added.

The repairs are expected to last for about one month, but the official end date has not been announced. Sources say repairs are scheduled to continue until Nov. 1.

Airmen were removed from the meal card program on Sep. 1. Minot leadership said they were starting so soon to try and lessen the shock for Airmen and encouraged them to find other places to dine.

"This has impacted everybody that usually ate here," said Sergeant Todd. "Most of all, this closure has impacted all Airmen who live in the dorms. But these Airmen have now received Basic Allowance for Sustenance for the first two weeks of September on the 15th of this month. This financial help consisted of more than $300 per month."

They could also eat at Kelly's Place, J.R. Rockers, Jimmy Doolittle Center or other establishments of their choosing.

One of the problems with the closure of the Dakota Inn was the difference of its working hours from other places on base. One of the examples would be the midnight chow.
However, the flight kitchen has taken on the function of the Dakota Inn, supplying customers at hours they are used to.

"This is a pretty big challenge for all of us," said Tech. Sgt. John C. Fastinger, the 5th FSS flight kitchen's noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "The contractors who were working at the dining facility before the closure are now adjusting to working a different schedule and in different conditions. Since the flight kitchen has started working the same hours as the Dakota Inn did before, most of the contractors are going to be transferred there."

"We've had a 300 percent manning increase," Sergeant Fastinger added. "So manning is not an issue."

On a positive note, the closure presents new and different opportunities for 5th FSS Airmen.

"I am able to experience different parts of the job," said Airman 1st Class Heather Lucas, 5th FSS Dakota Inn's first cook. "It presents an opportunity to progress in my military career."

The cooks at the Dakota Inn said this closure is a much needed change for the dining facility. It will bring more comfort for both the customers and the personnel. Once the repairs are done, the Airmen who used to dine there will still be in the meal card system and should transition seamlessly to dining at the Dakota Inn like they used to before.

For more information, contact the flight kitchen at: 723-3079.