• NELLIS AFB, Nev.
After months of coordination between the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), 57th Wing leadership, weapons safety experts and legal advisors, the base here became the first in the Department of the Air Force to formally authorize food trucks to operate within explosive hazard zones —improving the quality of life for hundreds of Airmen on the east side of the installation.
Food trucks began serving the geographically separated areas of the base earlier this year, filling a void in dining options for munitions and maintenance Airmen.
THE DECISION
The decision, finalized Air Force-wide in late April, followed the Department of Defense (DoD) Explosive Safety Board’s approval of a detailed site plan allowing food trucks to safely park and serve meals in designated zones near munitions operations.
The implementation involved legal revisions, safety evaluations and coordination across multiple squadrons and agencies.
This change is already benefiting Airmen and other personnel in remote work areas of Nellis AFB to include visiting service members in the Navy, Marine Corps and Army.
“The focus of this initiative is to equip Airmen with the resources they need to bring their best every day,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Trickey, 57th Wing command chief.
DINING OPTIONS
Historically, operations east of the flight line at Nellis AFB —home to units supporting flight test operations, Weapons School missions and Red Flag exercises — lacked nearby dining options.
The closest option has limited kitchen hours, while other dining facilities are on the other side of the installation, three-to-4.5 miles away, making them difficult to access during high-tempo operations.
“The nature of our mission doesn’t always allow for long breaks or travel to the main base,” said Chief Master Sgt. Cody Maskell, 857th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent.
“Now, our Airmen have convenient access to food without leaving their work zones,” he noted.
MODEL FOR OTHERS
The approval not only enhances mission effectiveness but also provides a sustainable model for other installations.
“Thanks to our weapons safety professionals and legal team, we didn’t just solve a problem for Nellis; we provided a roadmap for the entire Air Force,” Trickey said.
According to Master Sgt. Edwin Martinez, a 57th Wing weapons safety manager, the approved site plan is being shared with other wings across the Air Force as a template for future use.
“This site plan is unique in that it received full DoD Explosive Safety Board approval with no expiration date,” Martinez said. “It’s a significant milestone, one that other bases can build onto, bringing vital services to their remote areas.”
IMPACT
The impact of this change is being felt by Airmen performing the mission, as food trucks continue to serve hot meals on the east side of the base.
“This win is a testament to what’s possible when teams collaborate to solve real problems,” Trickey said.
“We have high expectations of our Airmen,” he noted. “I’m proud of the team for overcoming bureaucracy to deliver Airmen the resources they need to execute our mission with precision and excellence.”
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
