MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Five sets of scissors simultaneously cut through a red ribbon Aug. 20 to bring fresh potential to air station Marines working on the flight line.  Brig. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commander of Marine Corps Bases Western Area and commanding general of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, spoke at a brief opening ceremony for two new messhalls, six months in the making.

The mess halls replace two trailer units. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron's food service technician, Master Sgt. Brenda K. Valentine described the two old trailers as upgraded "roach coaches," a common term for mobile chow wagons often found bringing snacks to Marines firing on the rifle or pistol range.

"My Marines have always made the best food. Whether they are working in a trailer or a new chow hall, they will always put forth a superior effort; but now the appearance has really improved. If you had a choice between steak and hot dogs you'd probably choose steak; the same thing applies to the appearance of your facility," said Valentine, a Dallas, Ala., native.

"From the time we got the furniture installed, eyeballs after eyeballs have been in there checking it out. Of course, it is motivating because you have an eagle, globe and anchor carved out of the back of your chair, and the aviation themed artwork dates back from 1912 to the present. You can sit there and eat while your eyes browse around the room," said H&HS mess hall operations chief Gunnery Sgt. Paul J. Rieper.

In addition to the many aesthetic changes to the flight line eating environment, there has also been an improvement in the variety of food available. H&HS cash collection agent Sgt. Franklin J. Bugner said, "I don't think Marines were too impressed with the trailer food - burgers and hot dogs. They didn't all have a chance to go down to the main chow hall and eat the healthy entrees. Having these new choices here is like bringing Gonzales Hall down the street to the flight line."

Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 food service specialist Pvt. Nayeli T. Luna has noticed the change in flight line Marines' eating habits. "They eat more of the prepared food now; they don't order as many cheeseburgers and they get a kick out of the salad bar," said the Garden Grove, Calif., native.

Air framer Cpl. Greg A. Slusher of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 said, "The salads are great because it keeps us from getting fat from too much chili cheese. Having lids and flexi-straws for the cups is an added bonus."

Fellow air framer, and VMFAT-101 "Sharpshooter", Lance Cpl. Thomas R. Kopp feels the same way about the change. "I think it's much better food. There will be no more chili cheese dogs for me."

While flight line Marines appreciate the variety, most of the mess hall Marines are thankful for the new environment. "It's better for the cooks because before, it was a very small area and very hard to work around. There was little ventilation. But now it is nice and big with better equipment and air conditioning. The change is good for morale," said Bugner.

H&HS food service property noncommissioned officer Sgt. Gary D. Hernandez says the difference between the trailers and the new mess halls is like night and day. "You can't compare the trailers to this facility. In the trailers you can hear the airplanes flying by all day. I'm sure eventually it affects your hearing. Here it is enclosed and you don't have to worry about noise, bugs crawling in, or dust kicking in through the windows."

"The biggest bonus for me was that I could sit at the bar stool countertop and look out the window, watch the aircraft fly by, and enjoy my meal with the air conditioning on vice sit outside, at the trailer, in the heat, and sweat while I am eating," Rieper said.

Chow halls 9410 and 9610 are conveniently located near the flight line and open to all servicemembers holding a Department of Defense identification card.

Before the new mess halls' completion, there were three trailers available to Marines on the flight line. Now, Marines can choose from two new mess halls or the leftover trailer.

While the last trailer may still be more convenient for some Marines, the new mess halls are certainly capable of feeding those who choose variety and comfort. The trailers on average fed 29 servicemembers each meal, per trailer. Each new mess hall is capable of feeding one hundred servicemembers during any given chow period.

According to Valentine, the two mess halls may soon have a new addition to promote entertainment in the dining atmosphere. "We're looking forward to adding an 18 inch TV in the next month or so," she said.

The chow halls are open Monday through Friday from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch and Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. for dinner. Friday evenings and weekends servicemembers are welcome at building 5500, Gonzales Hall for their meals.