Mission Menu: Feed Airmen breakfast burritos, shepherd's pie

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brooke Brzozowske
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  It is said wars cannot be won without bullets, but it should also be said that wars cannot be won without beans, bread, butter. 

Today's missile wing mission wouldn't be possible without those who provide the first means of basic human need -- food, said Master Sgt. Patrick Lilly, senior enlisted aide to Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander. 

Air Force chefs truly understand the value of morale, because food is morale. And variety is the spice of life, Sergeant Lilly said. 

Two of General Kehler's aides, both with extensive Air Force services backgrounds, visited a Warren missile site Sept. 24, to give a young chef a chance to broaden her culinary skills. Airman Elizabeth Touhey, 319th Missile Squadron chef, extended the invitation into her kitchen to enjoy the flavors of the day. 

Missile alert facilities are home to a number of cops, missileers and maintenance members on any given day. 

Most individuals posted on a MAF are stationed there for 72 plus hour shifts, Airman Touhey said. MAF chefs are needed to refuel the hearts and stomachs of these workers to continue through with the mission. 

Warren has about 45 chefs working at 15 different MAFs, oftentimes for long shifts, said Tech. Sgt. Charles McKean, junior enlisted aide to General Kehler. Their duties play a key part in increasing the quality of life and the mission morale. 

Wednesday's menu consisted of three delectable items: yogurt parfait, breakfast burrito and shepherd's pie, said master sergeant select McKean. 

"Air Force chefs rarely get the opportunity to experiment with new foods when preparing for such a wide and diverse audience", Sergeant Lilly said. 

"This gives her and her peers the chance to learn new techniques and share it with their patrons," he continued. 

This, the missile world, is where General Kehler came from, Sergeant Lilly said. He recognizes the value of chefs to the nuclear mission, and wants to pay it forward, to give back a number of culinary talents. 

Airman Touhey said she is fairly new to the chef world although not new to the advantages created by good food in a hungry stomach. 

"Sometimes cops and maintenance guys are out for 16 hours or more. These guys work hard, and it's a privilege to put warm food in them," Airman Touhey said.