ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The 316th Wing recently announced the May 30 closure of the Liberty Hall Dining Facility, located on the east side of the base.
The closure is estimated to save the 316th Wing approximately $1 million per year in taxpayer dollars and operating costs.
"Closure of the facility is in support of Air Force Smart Operations 21, an Air Force continuous process improvement initiative, and AFI 34-239, which states, 'The Air Force operates APF enlisted dining facilities in order to provide the subsistence entitlement to enlisted members who reside in dormitories, to provide a training environment for food service personnel to meet our war-fighting mission, and to provide flight meal service in support of daily operations,'" said Capt. Sarah K. Bruno, 316th Services Squadron deputy commander.
"On average only 14 - out of a total 350 - essential station messing members utilized Liberty Hall on any given day," said the captain. "Basically we averaged over several weeks and found that only 14 meal card customers ever ate at Liberty Hall. That means that the other 336 are eating at either Freedom Hall because all the dorms are by Freedom Hall or other facilities."
Liberty Hall ESM member usage equates to 4 percent of ESM customers, according to the statistics.
The Air Force goal is 80 percent ESM usage.
"Even on double UTA weekends, only 331 Guard, Reserve & Navy ESM members utilized Liberty Hall out of 1,830 authorized ESM members," said Captain Bruno. "That also is not meeting the 80 percent usage rate goal," said Captain Bruno. "We're just not meeting the usage rate goals of serving the meal-card customers we are here to serve. The best solution is to save the wing $1 million per year."
In addition to low usage by ESM members, the rising maintenance and utilities costs for the 64-year old Liberty Hall, as well as the increased contract costs, do not support the AFSO 21 initiative.
"The fiscal year 2008 costs are significantly higher than in years past due to the new contractor's costs," she said.
ESM and cash-paying military members currently utilizing Liberty Hall on the east side of the base can travel just to Freedom Hall for meals, as well as other on-base options including the food court at the base exchange, The Club at Andrews and the Sports Page.
The 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron is currently looking into the feasibility of extending the base shuttle from the east side of the base to Freedom Hall on UTA weekends, said the captain.
Patrons can utilize Liberty Hall until Friday, May 30, the last duty day of the month.
In June, AAFES will renovate Liberty Hall to reopen with two new eateries.
"AAFES is currently working with Subway and Dunkin Donuts as potential vendors and has plans for a new Shoppette with food options in the next few years," said Captain Bruno.
For more information, contact Capt. Sarah Bruno at 301-981-5926 or e-mail sarah.bruno@andrews.af.mil.