U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Jones, a 509th Force Support Squadron in-flight kitchen manager, hands a meal to a customer at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Jan. 20, 2016. Jones earned the 509th Mission Support Group Supervisor of the Year award through his mentorship and willingness to help his subordinates on and off duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sandra Marrero)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Jones, A 509th Force Support Squadron in-flight kitchen manager, checks the accountability of War Reserve Material MREs at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Jan. 20, 2016. Jones said his favorite part of his job is being hands

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Jones, a 509th Force Support Squadron (FSS) in-flight kitchen manager, left, oversees a food temperature-check performed by Senior Airman Justin Stewart, a 509th FSS shift leader at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Jan. 21, 2016. Aside supervising meal-prep, Jones is in charge of the Touch and Go in-flight kitchen’s monthly budget and minor repairs on mission-essential equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sandra Marrero)

Weekly Warrior

Published Jan. 22, 2016
By Senior Airman Sandra Marrero
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Meet U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Jones, a 509th Force Support Squadron Touch and Go in-flight kitchen manager and winner of the Mission Support Group's Supervisor of the Year for 2015.

Raised in Cranberry Township, Pa., Jones has travelled the world during his eight years in the Air Force, with three in-theater deployments under his belt. Jones contributes to Team Whiteman's mission by providing fuel for the minds and bodies of the flight line personnel.

"Since we're the only B-2 Spirit base in the Air Force, we need to make sure all the maintainers and pilots are fed so they can complete the mission at a moment's notice," said Jones.

Jones took time out of his day to sit with the 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs shop for a question and answer session.

Q. What inspired you to join the Air Force?
A. I was working a dead-end job that wasn't going anywhere and I didn't plan on attending college at the time. I stayed in because I enjoy the job; the Air Force is a good career.

Q. What are your personal goals?
A. My short term goal is to finish earning my Community College of the Air Force associate's degree and want to start working on a bachelor's in electronics. My long term goal is to become an electrician.

Q. What do your duties as an in-flight kitchen manager involve?
A. I oversee food production and the training and education of my staff. I am also responsible for the readiness of the staff and reporting all information to our commander
Q. What are your thoughts about carrying out the bomber legacy?
A. When they become managers, they'll have the skill to do the job at my level and hopefully even better. My awesome supervisors have taught me how to do certain tasks and pass that knowledge onto other Airmen.

Q: What is your favorite part of the job?

A: Being able to be hands on, because I hate sitting behind a desk all day. I can actually get up and do different things all day. I like to listen to customers and bring in the food they want to eat.