Kandahar Airfield food court opens

By Sgt. Gregory WilliamsJuly 9, 2012

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kandahar Airfield food court opens
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers and contractors wait on a Popeyes line after the grand opening of the South Park food court on July 4, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The new food court includes Burger King, Popeyes, Pizza Hut, and a Village Cuisine, which offers m... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kandahar Airfield food court opens
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Laron Watkins, a medical logistical non-commissioned officer, 2nd Infantry Division and Staff Sgt. Elaniea L. Arnett, a military policeman, 2nd Infantry Division try out the food at the new South Park Food Court on July 4, 2012 at Kandahar Airfi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan. (July 4, 2012) -- A new food court opened at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on July 4, 2012. The food court includes a Burger King, Popeye's, Pizza Hut and a Village Cuisine. Kandahar Airfield is home to 23,000 NATO service members and the food court hopes to offer more of a variety to Soldiers.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the food court was hosted by the 655th Regional Support Group with the ribbon being cut by Brig. Gen. Scott L. Dennis, commanding general, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing and KAF, Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, commanding general, Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan,

Col. Ernest Erlandson, commander, 655th Region Support Group, and Lt. James L. Gagne, a contracting officer representative, 655th RSG.

"To have the generals of both KAF and the Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan was a great way to start the event and open up for business," Gagne said.

After the ceremony, Soldiers from the 655th RSG handed out coupons for free meals in order to get the word out.

The mission of the food court is to not only offer more food options to Soldiers, but also brings some popular restaurants to Afghanistan.

"During my lunch break back at home, I would eat Burger King everyday so to see one here makes me feel right at home," Spc. Edith Thomas, a logistical specialist, 583rd Medical Logistical Company said. "You know all of us get tired of eating at the dining facilities, but I hope that Soldiers don't go overboard with the whoppers."

"This food court increases morale for all the Soldiers living in the South Park area and on KAF because it gives them a place to unwind," Gagne said. Gagne said he couldn't have succeeded without the help of Staff Sgt. David Stanton, a project manager, 655th RSG and Capt. Nancy Lawrence, an officer in charge, 655th RSG.

"Without the support of my team this mission would've been a lot harder. It's because of their hard work the vendors got to work out all the kinks and fine tune everything," Gagne said.

Whether it's a crispy piece of chicken, a crunchy french fry, a juicy burger, or a cool shake, Soldiers on KAF can now taste a bit of home at the new South Park food court.