The White Falcon - 02.03.2006, Side 4

(Above) A room at NASKEF Visitors Quarters, rooms come
equipped with several amenities such as a TV and DVD
player, and a private bathroom to make visitors stays more
comfortable. (Below left) Visitors Quarters provides a wide
selection of DVDs for customers to check out free of charge
during their stay. (Photos by JQ2 Matthew Bradley)
ready, you have to show them that
you have everything straight up,”
Johannsson said.
“There are a lot of things involved
with getting ready for this award,” he
added.
One of the final stages of the
awards process is an inspection of
the facilities. The staff does not know
when the inspectors will come until
they arrive.
“We are graded on the quality of
service from the time they walk in
until they check out,” Martinez said.
“We were able to give them excellent
service during their entire stay with
us.”
The visitor’s quarters were not only
graded on what the customer sees but
what goes on behind the scenes as
well.
“We have to make sure everything
is correct, from accounting data to
our inventory, to making sure each
room has the right type of iron in it,”
Martinez said.
Those visiting NASKEF can rest
assured they are being treated to five-
star service when they stay at the
Visitors Quarters.
From Billeting Pg. 1
means “the operation provides facili-
ties and services equivalent to or bet-
ter than those provided by top-quality
residence halls and mid-grade com-
mercial hotels.”
Three, four and five-star ratings are
only given to “superior” operations.
Visiting Quarters Director Sigurdur
Ben Johannsson, attributes this award
to the hard work and dedication of his
staff.
“I know we have been doing a great
job here in Keflavik, and I don’t think
we’d be as successful as we are if not
for the staff here,” Johannsson said.
“I think one of the things that put
us over the top to win this award is
the excellent service our staff pro-
vides,” NASKEF’s Bachelor Housing
Director Chief Culinary Specialist
Alfredo Martinez Jr. said.
“From the moment you check in
until you leave; our staff works hard
to make your stay as pleasant as pos-
sible,” he added.
The presentation of the award was
the culmination of a yearlong process.
“You have to have everything
Airman charged in Turner slaying
Airman Calvin Eugene Hill
from the 56th Rescue Squadron
was charged Thursday with the
murder of Airman 1st Class
Ashley Turner on Aug. 14, 2005,
at Naval Air Station Keflavik,
according to a release from the
48th Fighter Wing, the parent
command of the 56th Rescue
Squadron.
He is also charged with one speci-
fication of being absence without
leave, making false official state-
ments, obstructing justice and two
counts of larceny and wrongful
appropriation.
Officials allege that Hill carried
out the murder to keep Turner from
testifying against him in a court-
martial.
The string of incidents began
about a year ago, when Hill alleg-
edly stole money from Turner.
Turner was found dead in a dorm
the two shared while the court-mar-
tial for the larceny was pending.
The charges against Hill are in
the first of a two-phase referral pro-
cess under the UCMJ.
No trial date has been set.
(Above) Raphael Mathews updates the price savings chart.
The commissary offers about a 30 percent savings compared
to commercial prices. (Left) The “Back to School” display
that helped the commissary to win the Produce Marketing
Contest. (Courtesy Photos)
They offer flowers and
plants as well as fruit and
vegetable trays.
With about two days
notice they can have a
fruit or veggie tray ready
for any event.
The Defense
Commissary Agency
operates a worldwide
chain of commissaries
providing groceries to
military personnel, retir-
ees and their families in
a safe and secure shop-
ping environ-
ment. Authorized
patrons purchase
items at cost
plus a five-per-
cent surcharge,
which covers
the costs of building new commissaries
and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers
save an average of 30 percent or more on
their purchases compared to commercial
prices - savings worth about $2,700 annu-
ally for a family of four. A core military
family support element, and a valued part of mili-
tary pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to
family readiness, enhance the quality of life for
America’s military and their families, and help
recruit and retain the best and brightest men and
women to serve their country.
From Commissary Pg. 1
Marino added that while most stores have pro-
duce delivered directly to the store on a daily
basis, the Keflavik store also has to go pick up the
shipments and bring them back to the store.
These trips do allow personnel the time to plan
for attractive display ideas.
The Contest allowed the Commissary to pres-
ent their product to the customers in an appealing
way.
Mathews said that when customers see produce
displayed in an appealing way, they will be more
likely to buy more. NASKEF’s Commissary offers
several different services to help improve base
resident’s quality of life.
Page 4
The White Falcon
March 2, 2006