Flightline feast feeds Airmen across Luke

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Airmen from around Luke Air Force Base gathered for a flightline feast Jan. 9 at the 308th Aircraft Maintenance Unit pavilion. The flightline feast is a monthly event where Airmen can enjoy home cooked food and the company of fellow Airmen.

"The goal of the flightline feast is to show the support of the Chapel in every aspect of the base mission," said Loida Lagang, 56th Fighter Wing Chapel religious education coordinator. "And especially to provide a home cooked meal for young Airmen who are away from their families."

For Airman 1st Class Christopher Malone, 56th Medical Support Squadron lab technician, this was his first time attending the feast. The relaxed atmosphere and good food was a plus for Malone, who was invited by his coworkers who helped prepare the food.

"It was great," Malone said. "It's nice to be able to eat some good food for free. It's also a good morale builder. You get people from all over the base who come and you can relax and joke around in a relaxed setting."

Since its beginning 10 years ago, the flightline feast has fed many Airmen. Consisting of hotdogs and chips at first, meals have grown in size.

The feast is held once a month during the day to accommodate dayshift workers. Next month's feast will be held later in the afternoon to accommodate Airmen who work evening shifts.

Every flightline feast has a theme and meals are prepared based on that theme.

"This month we came up with the idea of doing pulled pork sandwiches, being that it is football season," Nagang said.

The feast has been held at many different locations on base since its beginning, but the flightline has proved the best location for the feast. However, just because the feast is on the flightline doesn't mean it's only for Airmen who work there.

"It's called the flightline feast because that is where we serve the meals, but it is an open event to anybody on the base who wants to come enjoy some good food, some good fellowship and the outdoors," said Chaplain (Maj.) David Barns, 56th FW Chapel.

Truly the flightline feast has put smiles on many Airmen across Luke. The best part for Nagang is making contact with Airmen and letting them know the chapel is there to serve them and their families.

"Our goal is to reach out to as many Airmen as we can," Nagang said. "It's not about promoting religion, but letting people know that the chapel service does exist and the mission of the chapel is to serve active duty folks and their families."