Vanwey saved: Dining facility to remain open

Published July 16, 2010
By Micah Garbarino
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's Vanwey Dining Facility will not close Oct. 1 as was previously announced.

The budget decision that resulted in Air Force Materiel Command headquarters directing Tinker and three other installations to close their dining facilities was reversed and funding restored.

As a result, the primary food service location for many Airmen and Sailors who live in the Tinker dormitories will keep their doors open.

"I'd like to thank all the commanders, command chiefs and first sergeants for their support as we worked this issue through AFMC and Air Force headquarters. I have no doubt that without your support we would still be looking at closing the dining facility," said Col. Herb Wesselman, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, in an e-mail to leadership across Tinker.

The 72nd Force Support Squadron has conducted focus group meetings with various customer groups to get feedback on the services and selection provided at the Vanwey Dining Facility. These focus groups will continue to meet periodically to solicit input from customers and provide feedback to Dale Rogers, Inc, the food service contractor.