JDC works behind the scenes for mission success

Published Sept. 23, 2008
By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Working long hours and catering to the needs of Airmen and dependents alike, the Jimmy Doolittle Center staff here serve a function critical to mission success.

From hosting monthly spouse's events to commander's calls, to the daily lunch buffet and an occasional wedding, the JDC staff strive to give customers quality service.

"Our primary mission is catered events and special functions that take place at Minot AFB," said Todd Carlson, JDC manager. "Our secondary mission is our lunch program and Sunday brunch program. We try to give people the best experience possible with both missions."

One of the primary attractions at the JDC is the pasta bar, which at first was only supposed to be a short-lived activity to give people a place to eat on base while J.R. Rockers was converted from the enlisted club in June 2001.

"We had a services director who challenged us to come up with a buffet lunch that would last about three months," Mr. Carlson said. "It was such a popular program, wing leadership did not want to see it die, so we've kept it going ever since."

With the pasta bar, people can build their own pasta dish choosing from more than 10 different vegetables and three different types of pasta. They then select one of four sauces and up to three different types of meat. Once the ingredients have been selected, their pasta dish is taken to the kitchen and cooked to order.

"People really seem to like the pasta bar," said Loren Keele, JDC cook and wife of Senior Airman Travis Keele, 5th Force Support Squadron. "On a busy afternoon, we can cook more than 70 pasta dishes."

Additionally, the JDC serves a buffet line with a unique theme each day during lunch.

However, the lunch program isn't the only activity that draws people to the JDC. People looking to cater an event or hold a squadron meeting flock to the JDC as well. With two large dining areas (one featuring two large display screens) and a special meeting room, the JDC seems ideal to spouses trying to hold a special function or commanders looking to hold an official meeting.

Sometimes averaging 200 people per day and 4,000 people per week, the JDC has its hands full trying to serve the needs of Minot AFB. Additionally, the JDC is heavily involved in the Month of the Military Child; the annual Sportsmen's Feed; and the hangar party before Northern Neighbors Day.

"I would say one of our biggest challenges is juggling schedules," said Amy Filkins, JDC assistant manager. "We're on stand-by for any event on base. If we're serving a general's luncheon at 1 p.m., we could get a call saying his plane is an hour early, so guess what, we're serving an hour earlier. You have to be ready for change."

The effort of the staff does not go unnoticed when awards season rolls around, as the JDC has won "Best Club in Air Combat Command" on more than one occasion, as well as several other individual, squadron and facility awards.

"It's a total team effort here," Mr. Carlson said. "We really take pride in what we do. It starts from the back of the house to the front of the house. Everyone works together to get things done. Every event is special to us. The staff puts out the same amount of effort for every event."

Jessica Wright, JDC wait staff, loves the challenges that come with the job.

"It's a lot of hard work, but I enjoy the challenge," she said. "After a while, you get to know the regulars and you develop relationships with people. Also, I have some great friends here, so it's a great experience all around."

While the JDC staff routinely get called out after functions to take a bow for their exemplary service, "excellence is just what we do," said Mrs. Filkins.

"We don't feel like we do anything special," she said. "But excellence is our standard and we strive to never fall below that. The missions on this base are extremely important and we're here to support them."

For more information on the JDC or to schedule an event, call 723-3731. People can also log on to: http://www.5thservices.com/activities/jimmydoolittle/index.htm.