NELLIS AFB, Nev. -- Food trucks began serving the geographically separated areas of Nellis Air Force Base on Feb. 24, filling a void in dining options for munitions and maintenance Airmen.
After months of coordination between 57th Wing leadership, weapons safety experts, legal advisors and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Nellis became the first base in the Department of the Air Force to formally authorize food trucks to operate within explosive hazard zones—improving the quality of life for hundreds of Airmen on the east side of the installation.
The decision, finalized Air Force-wide in late April, followed the Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board’s approval of a detailed site plan allowing food trucks to safely park and serve meals in designated zones near munitions operations. This change is already benefiting Airmen and other personnel in remote work areas of Nellis to include visiting servicemembers in the Navy, Marine Corps and Army.
“The focus of this initiative is to equip Airmen with the resources they need to bring their best every day,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Trickey, 57th Wing command chief. “Thanks to our weapons safety professionals and legal team, we didn’t just solve a problem for Nellis; we provided a roadmap for the entire Air Force.”
Historically, operations east of the flightline at Nellis—home to units supporting flight test operations, Weapons School missions and Red Flag exercises—lacked nearby dining options. The closest option has limited kitchen hours, while other dining facilities are on the other side of the installation, 3 to 4 1/2 miles away, making them difficult to access during high-tempo operations.
“The nature of our mission doesn’t always allow for long breaks or travel to the main base,” said Chief Master Sgt. Cody Maskell, 857th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “Now, our Airmen have convenient access to food without leaving their work zones.”
The approval not only enhances mission effectiveness but also provides a sustainable model for other installations. According to Master Sgt. Edwin Martinez, a 57th Wing weapons safety manager, the approved site plan is being shared with other wings across the Air Force as a template for future use.
“This site plan is unique in that it received full DoD Explosive Safety Board approval with no expiration date,” Martinez said. “It’s a significant milestone, one that other bases can build on to bring vital services to their remote areas.”
The implementation involved legal revisions, safety evaluations and coordination across multiple squadrons and agencies. The impact of this change is being felt by Airmen performing the mission as food trucks continue to serve hot meals on the east side of the base.
“This win is a testament to what’s possible when teams collaborate to solve real problems,” Trickey added. “We have high expectations of our Airmen. I’m proud of the team for overcoming bureaucracy to deliver Airmen the resources they need to execute our mission with precision and excellence.”