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DEVCOM SC\u2019s longtime and unique innovation and expertise in food science and technology and food packaging play a substantial role in tube food development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Combat Feeding Division has a long history of developing nutritionally optimized, good-tasting ration products to meet warfighters\u2019 unique needs and preferences,\u201d said Erin Stomberg, PhD, RD, division chief of Combat Feeding. \u201cThe tube foods produced by the division food technologists are one important example of this. Air Force pilots on long flight missions need nutrition for sustainment and performance of their mission, and we are honored to provide this service to them. We accomplish this by using our knowledge of food product development and food processing technologies available in our pilot plant and listening to customer feedback in order to formulate custom varieties based on pilot preferences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel Nattress, a food technologist who has served as the project officer for the Tube Food Program for 24 years, pointed out that \u201cdecades of knowledge and expertise go into every tube.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the expertise to make healthy, wholesome foods that taste good, meet nutritional requirements and meet required shelf-life requirements (three years at 80 degress Fahrenheit and six months at 100 degrees Fahrenheit),\u201d said Nattress. \u201cWe also need to know how to manufacture foods which meet the nutritional requirements and still fit through the narrow straw-like probe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nattress explained that colleagues in the Tube Food Program also have the \u201cknowledge and expertise to operate the specialized equipment, as well as pack the tube food for safe storage and transportation.\u201d<\/p>\n Equipment upgrades have improved the process. A new state-of-the art tube filler and sealer is easier to clean and maintain than the previous version and a new steam retort, which preserves the tube foods, is more efficient and extremely reliable.<\/p>\n Direct interaction with pilots is key to making the best product. Nattress and his colleagues have visited the home base of the U-2 pilots several times, and the pilots have visited Combat Feeding as well.<\/p>\n \u201cFace-to-face contact is essential to understand what products the pilots want and for them to understand our capabilities,\u201d said Nattress. \u201cWe conduct surveys with the pilots every three or four years to verify what they currently like, what they\u2019d like to have and any changes they\u2019d like to have. When we were at Beale Air Force Base, the training base, we got to try on the U-2 suits.\u00a0This gave us an understanding of what they go through on their missions.\u201d<\/p>\n DEVCOM SC\u2019s efforts to understand pilot needs and to provide them with a quality product are reflected in comments from the U-2 pilots themselves:<\/p>\n “Caff apple pie (Caffeinated Apple Pie) is a must after 8 to 10 hours and preparing to recover the hardest jet in the world to land!”<\/p>\n “Nothing better than hash browns and bacon (Hash Browns with Bacon) after you kick on the autopilot during climbout to an early morning sortie.”<\/p>\n “Not only does it give us some energy, but it’s something we look forward to \u2014 especially truffle mac (Truffle Macaroni and Cheese). Delish.”<\/p>\n Comprehensive review sessions also provide Combat Feeding with additional insights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also participate in the twice-yearly U-2 Program Management Reviews, a meeting of all government agencies and contractors,\u201d said Nattress. \u201cThese meetings give us an overview of the entire U-2 program from Tube Foods to U-2 suits to the airframe. This gives us the overall picture and shows us where we fit in.\u201d<\/p>\n Robert Bernazzani, team leader of the Joint Foodservice and Engineering Team, praised the comradery of the experts who produce the food tubes, their eclectic set of skills, and their creation of a quality finished product.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very gratifying to be part of such an important and vital program for the military,\u201d said Bernazzani. \u201cMost of the work that is done in Combat Feeding is research and development. This program is unique because we actually not only do the R&D but produce the tubes that are consumed by the warfighter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone who works on the Tube Food Program, that includes several others from packaging specialists to microbiologists, are very proud to provide U-2 pilots the sustenance they need to perform these vital reconnaissance missions,\u201d said Nattress. \u201cWhen we have had the opportunity to visit Beale, or to host pilots, they are very appreciative of the products we are able to manufacture.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/max1200-1.jpg\")
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