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Team of overnight Tinker workers keeps base fed, entertained and rested

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker Air Force Base offers many services for everyone, with any type of schedule, from working out to grabbing a bite to eat.

Bldg. 3001 is the center of business for the majority of the base. The workers there take full advantage of the restaurants and C-stores. Mattie Curtis is there to offer her cooking services first thing in the morning.

Ms. Curtis is a familiar face in the area, having worked in the cafeteria for 31 years. She and the other 46 associates get everything up and running beginning at 4 a.m. They have everything ready to deliver by 5:30 a.m. for all the other satellite cafes and carts that roll around in the morning hours.

"I never want to leave. I've been here so long. I guess I am just a morning person. I've learned to adjust to it. As soon as the sun goes down, I am in bed," said Ms. Curtis. "I'm blessed every morning I can get up."

The Tinker Club is a popular spot for those looking to relax outside their 9 to 5 jobs. Those working in club after the regular work day see the club as common grounds with a family-like atmosphere.

Kim Savidge, bartender at the officer's lounge works days, nights and any special events. She enjoys working nights because of the people and the family-like atmosphere.

"I know people by what they drink, I may not know everyone's name but I know what they drink," said Ms. Savidge.

Herb Clarke, a former member of the 72nd Operations Support Squadron, is also an essential member to the Tinker Club. He helps with everything from the set up of events at the club to dishes.

"I like working nights. I like getting a diagram and just getting after it," said Mr. Clarke. "I also like being there for the customer and doing things the right way for them."

Tinker members with varied work hours who enjoy a fit lifestyle can spend their time in the Gerrity Fitness Center. The center stays open for those looking to work out up until 1 a.m.

"The biggest difference about working at night is less confusion, there are fewer people," said Senior Airman Merrick Jackson. "It's pretty quiet, but when they have their events it can get hectic."

Airman Jackson said that when people come to the Gerrity at night it's a place for them to work out and de-stress in a calm atmosphere.

Across the base, the Indian Hills Inn is bedding down for the night as workers begin their nightly audits and prepare for the morning checkouts.

Guest Service Representatives Amber Paulson and Alycia Little both enjoy working nights and say that it works out well with their schedules and their families schedules. They prefer the night shift and have worked to the day shift because it is part of the training when first hired on at the lodge.

"During my shift, we check in a lot of people and you meet several different types of people. I really enjoy the customer service aspect," said Ms. Paulson, whose shift is from 3 to 11 p.m.

Ms. Little enjoys her shift because there is little going on and she gets the last check-ins of the day and first check-outs in the morning. Her shift is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

For those coming in late or working early, the Vanwey Dining Center offers food until midnight.

Supervisor Nancy Smith works wherever she is needed and stays from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. She said they also do a lot of flight meals; they average 200 flight meals a night. The actual dining center averages 100 people a night.

Scott King has been with the Vanwey for eight years. He is in charge of making of the flight meals and the prep work.

"I really enjoy putting the meals together for everyone. I like working for the military and seeing all the different types of people," said Mr. King.