U.A.E. DAFC

A DFAC is a dining facility. There are a number of them on Bagram, specifically west side where I spend all my time. I think I have mentioned before the standard list: North, Dragon, Koele, and Aviation. Then there is the BBQ Shack (I have no clue as to what it might have for an official name) which seems to appeal primarily to the meat lovers. Other countries, as it turns out, may run their own dining facilities. The U.A.E. contingent opens theirs to the rest of us on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

I first heard about the UAE DFAC last week when the CMA (Coop Mil Affairs) crew asked me if I wanted to join them. Things got too hectic and it feel into the too hard to get there box. Last night was a different story.

Joining the Vet and the Entomologist, we hiked to the North end of Disney, then cut in behind a lot of buildings, barriers and BHuts till we came to the U.A.E. compound gate. Arriving early, we hung out for almost 30 minutes socializing with the others in line. Clips out of weapons (their compound rule), we headed down between a couple of buildings and into the DFAC.

There I am facing a steam line that has rice (three kinds of rice), humus, pita and nan, several salads. The other two happily availed themselves of the spicy lamb and chicken offerings in addition to what I already mentioned. Pomegranate juice in the dispenser and several odd bottles of beverage (including a no-alcohol kiwi beer – go figure, I can’t).

We had a relaxing meal, no hurry, no large crowds. The large screen TV is showing the Arabic League Soccer finals complete with talking heads.

The walk back in the dark was pleasant, unhurried. There is not much for street lighting, but the steady stream of passing vehicles with their headlights provided enough illumination to find our way home.

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7 Responses to U.A.E. DAFC

  1. Alison says:

    So this was the kiwi-ness club?

  2. Linda says:

    wow, sounds like a yummy dinner! I’d make that hike every week or so if others wanted to join me.

    Going to a different dining FAC seems to be part of getting to know one’s surroundings. It is the next step after your earlier correspondence about new surroundings becoming familiar. It seems to me that once the setting is familiar and the work routines established the details and local textures begin to slowly emerge. Now that you are more or less comfortable/established in your job and your side of the base you can devote a little bit of psychic and physical energy to uncovering some of the details within the somewhat familiar world in which you find yourself.

  3. Ann says:

    Why can’t the US learn a few lessons from the other DFACs? I also bet the meat choices at the UAE was hallal (which could pass as kosher for most, as it works the other way for muslems).
    Bon Appetite, and Happy Hanukkah

  4. Brad says:

    A Vegetarian’s delight!

  5. Bob says:

    Sounds like a delightful respite from totally American cuisine. It’s obviously somewhat difficult maintaining a vegetarian diet in any military environment; maintaining a kosher vegetarian diet even more difficult.

  6. Jen says:

    I’d be eating there 3 nights a week. Hope they don’t notice you enough to decide to ban women from some nights.

  7. Abdul Saboor says:

    Hi Mr. I am Abdul Sabur Ghafoori I have worked with Flour Company at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2013. Dear Sir, I hope you will cooperate with me. I have personal and civil problems in Afghanistan. I left my family in Afghanistan and I was smuggled to Turkey. Now it has become very difficult for me. Now that illegal immigrants have started deporting in Turkey, everyone will send them back to their homeland. I don’t want to deport me to Afghanistan. I sincerely ask you to help me. All my teachers will send you. Thank you

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