ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Picture professional men and women cooking meals and taking care of special Air Force passengers over the skies of Iraq wearing desert flight suits.
That's just what the flight attendants of the 89th Airlift Wing Operational Support Squadron do everyday on a variety of aircraft.
"This is very self-rewarding work," said Staff Sgt. Jamiliah Austin-Graves, as she prepares breakfast for a four star Marine general and the Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
She is in the fourth year of a job that keeps high profile people comfortable in some not-so-comfortable places.
Air Force flight attendants train at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and carry out an important role on many different special air missions.
"Our first class service is for everyone on the aircraft," explained Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindner. "Every trip is unique in its own way."
Their passengers range from heads of state to national leaders to celebrities on USO tours.
"We love the USO tours. We flew Kid Rock and Lewis Black last year," said Sergeant Austin-Graves.
She has also flown on Air Force One with the President on a long trip to Africa.
One of the toughest things the flight attendants face is logistics and coordination. They are fast movers on important missions and everything has to fall into place for the DV's on the flight.
"We go to places the 'blue and whites' don't usually go to," said Sergeant Lindner as she explained the different aircraft the attendants service. "I'm qualified in the KC-10, C-17 and Boeing Business Jet."
The squadron has around 10 to 12 flight attendants which work on these aircraft and others such as the Gulf Stream business jets and traditional airline type aircraft.
From takeoff to landing, they work hard cooking, serving and cleaning. The job is tough and starts well before the special passengers get on the airplane.
Adjusting to time zones is another challenge for these high flying professionals. On this mission the crew will have been to three countries including a combat landing in Baghdad, Iraq.
It's not just the distinguished visitors and special passengers that benefit from their efforts. Aircrews usually used to box lunches get to enjoy some fine cooked meals.
"The airplane smells like a restaurant," said mission commander Maj. Jerry Quincy of the Air Force Reserve's 317th Airlift Squadron in Charleston, S.C.
Aircrews pay a small fee to cover the cost of the food, but the difference in quality and service is something that money just can't buy, especially when flying around combat zones.