AFMC Command News

96th Services Squadron wins Hennessy Trophy

  • Published
  • By Brian Kern
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The taste of victory is sweet for team Eglin’s 96th Services Squadron, having recently won the coveted John L. Hennessy Trophy. 

Named after John L. Hennessy, a food service executive and member of the Hoover Commission, the Hennessy Trophy Awards Program promotes excellence in customer service, meal quality and fellowship of the civilian food service industry and the Air force. 

“Mr. (Dave) Mickler is really the champion here,” said Maj. Thomas Reppart, Commander of the 96th Services Squadron. “We stole him from Hurlburt.” 

Major Reppart said the squadron is 40 percent deployed, and there were no plans to compete this year. 

“I traveled with the evaluation team last year,” Major Reppart said. “When I took command here on Sept. 1, right around the time Mr. Mickler came on board, we decided to join the competition.” 

The deadline for entry had almost passed when Mr. Mickler, Eglin Food Service Officer and previous winner of five Hennessy awards, began guiding his team of food service workers to success.

Mr. Mickler said the ordeal goes far beyond the two days of on-site evaluation. 

“It’s a year-long preparation culminating in a two-day evaluation process,” Mr. Mickler said. “The following year’s preparation begins the day the evaluation team leaves. This year is special because it marks the Hennessy Award’s 50th anniversary.” 

The program honors special achievements of Air Force foodservice facilities worldwide. Celebrations will begin with a reception on Friday, May 19, at the Chicago Hilton honoring past and present Hennessy Travelers – representatives of the Hennessy Award evaluating team. The 2006 Hennessy trophies will be presented at an awards breakfast on May 20. 

Major Reppart and Mr. Mickler emphatically agreed that the achievements could not have been realized without the entire team’s commitment. 

“While not everyone works in the food service operation, I thank you all for your indirect support,” Major Reppart said in an e-mail message to the team. “Whether it was marketing, lodging, or in-brief crowd…we couldn’t have done it without the efforts of many, many people!” 

Combat Support Superintendent Sr. Master Sgt. Pat Simmons said Hurlburt and Eglin are embroiled in a friendly rivalry. 

When asked if there was an ulterior motive in hiring Mr. Mickler, Sergeant Simmons smiled and said, “Of course.” 

Sergeant Simmons said he has competed for the Hennessy Trophy four times unsuccessfully and he is happy to be on a winning team this year. 

“It was a long time coming," said Sergeant Simmons.."The team really came together under stressful conditions.” 

Mr. Mickler oversees 17 military food service workers and more than 50 contractors headed up by Gulf Coast Enterprises Project Manager Mario Giacometti. 

“They were at a 60 percent handicap and some of the workers came in only a few weeks prior to the competition,” Mr. Giacometti said. “They all hit the ground running.” 

Mr. Mickler said most of the military food service workers who were present throughout the competition are now deployed and will unfortunately not be around to reap the fruits of their labor at the National Restaurant Association expo in Chicago.