USAG Wiesbaden community steps up to feed the force during precautionary DFAC closure

CLAY KASERNE, Germany - The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden community came together in an installation-wide effort to keep service members fed when the Stronger Together Dining Facility temporarily closed on Sept. 30.

The dining facility, which has since reopened, had been undergoing phased modernization renovations since Sept. 14, operating in split halves separated by temporary partitions to maintain food services.

During the renovation, improperly handled insulation material in the construction zone released fiberglass dust into the dining area. Officials immediately ordered air testing by a certified host-nation laboratory, and when samples tested positive, the garrison ordered a precautionary closure to ensure safety and allow for thorough environmental decontamination.

The shutdown coincided directly with the launch of Avenger Triad 26, a major U.S. Army Europe and Africa exercise that brought thousands of additional U.S. service members and multinational NATO allies into the area of responsibility. (To read more about Avenger Triad 26 visit: https://www.army.mil/article/296123)

To mitigate the immediate disruption for service members relying on the DFAC, the installation quickly rolled out interim feeding plans.

The response was aimed first at meal cardholders, who are service members entitled to a meal or meal reimbursement; to members of the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine; and to NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine personnel, who are on orders from other services; and Avenger Triad participants.

Every interim meal announcement was directed to those groups, but the effort reached further: for everyone else who wanted to eat at the DFAC, the community made sure there were other options.

The response quickly evolved into a comprehensive community effort across Clay Kaserne to keep the force fed and the mission going.

Garrison personnel erected large tents and set out additional picnic tables in the open area across from the DFAC. Essential personnel were immediately provided Meals Ready-to-Eat for rapid, on-demand pick-up, with the Wiesbaden Commissary distributing sack lunches outside the DFAC on Oct. 1.

"I gave a call to all of the Command Sergeants Major that are responsible for our tenant organizations, and they all came together. No questions asked," said USAG Wiesbaden Command Sgt. Maj. Andre Brown. "They just wanted to know what needed to be done."

The response moved quickly from MREs and sack lunches to hot-meal service. Garrison leaders personally took to the grill lines for two days, preparing and serving hot lunches and dinners on-site to keep morale high and ensure frontline personnel received warm meals.

"We are here to make sure that the Soldiers don't lose morale and stay motivated," said Sgt. Maj. Nina Alcedo, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Senior Culinary Management Sergeant Major. "Most importantly, we want them to know that the chain of command cares about them and about providing them with the proper meals they deserve."

Beginning Oct. 3, a contracted food service took over hot meal service for the remainder of the closure.

Beyond dedicated dining options, the broader Clay Kaserne community mobilized to support everyone else impacted by the facility's downtime:

AAFES positioned two food trucks outside the DFAC for everyone else who wanted a hot meal. Family and MWR extended operating hours at the Barbell Bistro to provide patrons with an expanded dining window. The American Red Cross and USO Wiesbaden set up stations outside the DFAC, serving complimentary hot coffee to diners waiting in line.

Morale received an extra boost from local talent. Cameron McBride, a student at Wiesbaden High School, teamed up with Spc. Jose Cruz of the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, volunteering their time throughout the week to play trumpet outside the DFAC as troops picked up their daily food.

While the closure caused unexpected operational adjustments, garrison officials emphasized that this is exactly why precautionary testing and safety protocols exist.

The swift identification, immediate air testing and precautionary closure did what they were designed to do, and the rapid community mobilization highlighted the resilience, adaptability, and cohesion of the USAG Wiesbaden community.

Following comprehensive decontamination and air clearance tests validated by a certified service provider, the Stronger Together Dining Facility partially reopened its doors to service members on Oct. 11 with modified hours while renovation work safely continues.

The ongoing renovation project is designed to modernize the dining facility and improve quality of life across Clay Kaserne, offering a modern space for service members, civilians, and mission partners to recharge.

Meal cardholders who missed meals during the dining facility downtime may submit a claim for missed meal reimbursement. Guidance and paperwork instructions are outlined on the garrison reimbursement resource page: DFAC Closure Reimbursement Flyer.