LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The 19th Force Support Squadron (FSS) Airmen at the Hercules Dining Facility won the John L. Hennessy trophy award at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 23, 2026.
The prestigious award recognizes the best dining facilities in the U.S. Air Force and evaluates operations based on food quality, sanitization, management, training, and overall customer service.
The dining facility Airmen were credited with securing the win through months of preparation, teamwork and dedication to supporting the installation’s mission and the daily needs of service members, and this isn’t the first time Little Rock AFB has taken home the honor, having previously won the Hennessy award in 2022 and 2017.
“Winning this award reflects our teams professionalism and attention to detail,” said Tech. Sgt. Angela D Smith, 19th FSS dining facility manager. “We have a very busy installation that we feed, and whether it be a training mission or fueling Airmen, the Airmen understand their mission and they take it seriously.”
The Hennessy evaluation team conducted an inspection highlighting quality and healthy food options, superior customer service, sharp management practices and steady involvement from the senior leadership. Excelling in these categories are the cornerstones of success within this distinguished competition.
The Hercules dining facility team competed against three finalists, across three bases and three different Major Commands, capturing the significance of the achievement for Little Rock AFB and the Airmen who support its food service mission.
“Our Airmen’s efforts, innovation and their excellence got us the nomination to be a finalist,” said Master Sgt. Rachel Armstrong, 19th FSS flight superintendent. “The Airmen are always looking for ways that we can improve and offer a better product to our customers.”
Providing healthy food options directly affects the airmen’s mission readiness, physical performance and long-term health. The dining facilities’ commitment to quality and service ensures Airmen receive the right fuel they need to accomplish the mission.
“Our troops need healthy food,” said Armstrong. “We are making sure that we are bringing that innovation to still give people options that are tasteful and expansive.”
Representing some of the best of what Little Rock AFB has to offer, the team set the standard for excellence across the Air Force.
“Its all about readiness now,” said Smith. “This is not the final stop for us, it’s a chance for us to keep on growing and improve all the experiences that we can give the Airmen through the dining facility.”