Dining halls juggle customers Published May 13, 2008 By Earlene Smith 81st Force Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- When the Magnolia Dining Facility closed unexpectedly on April 24 due to a maintenance problem, the facility staff scrambled to relocate services to other dining facilities. Approximately 2,400 of the meals served daily at the Magnolia Dining Facility were added to the 2,000 meals already being served at the Azalea Dining Facility. An additional 300 meals were transferred to the Live Oak Dining Facility. As many of the Magnolia staff as possible were dispensed to both areas to assist with the extra feeding. "That first day was tough," said Glenn Jones, the food service officer. "So many people showing up at the same time for lunch created a temporary gridlock. We had customers lined up across the parking lot at Azalea, and many of them were unhappy." Now, thanks to coordination between the school house and the dining facility staff, things have smoothed out. Students are being released from classes in increments resulting in a constant flow of diners and a much shorter waiting period. Temporary duty personnel and authorized cash customers are welcome during normal hours of operation. However, it's recommended that they take their lunch breaks at 12:15 p.m. or later when the number of nonprior service students is less. Azalea Dining Facility hours: Breakfast -- 4:15-7 a.m. Monday-working Fridays; 7:30-9 a.m. nonworking Fridays, weekends and holidays. Lunch -- 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-working Fridays: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. nonworking Fridays, weekend and holidays. Dinner -- 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-working Fridays, 4:30-6:30 p.m. nonworking Fridays, weekends and holidays. Midnight meal -- midnight to 1:30 a.m. Mondays-working Fridays. Live Oak Dining Facility hours: Breakfast -- 5:15-7:15 a.m. Mondays-working Fridays; 7:30-9 a.m. nonworking Fridays, weekends and holidays. On 403rd Wing unit training assembly weekends, breakfast is served 6-9 a.m. Lunch -- 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-working Fridays; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. nonworking Fridays, weekends and holidays. Dinner -- 5-7 p.m. Mondays-working Fridays; 4:30-6:30 p.m. nonworking Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The monthly birthday meal served at Magnolia for nonprior service students, permanent party enlisted and essential station messing members, is now held 5-7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Live Oak.