Cookie Bus deliveries boost Dyess Airmen's morale

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It may be back-to-school time, but it wasn't the normal big yellow bus that put smiles on the faces of Dyess Airmen Sept. 6-7 as they toiled day and night over the weekend during the Operational Readiness Exercise. 

Known as the "Cookie Bus," the blue step van has been running from facility to facility for the last two weekend exercises to provide Airmen a morale boost, said Master Sgt. Patrick Skelton, 7th Force Support Squadron first sergeant.

The return of the Cookie Bus has been successful, he said. "You can tell when you pull up everyone gets excited to get a break and a snack," said Sergeant Skelton. The blue van is decked with big signs, so it is obvious to the laboring Airmen.

Dyess has been delivering cookies, rice crispy treats, brownies, peanut butter sandwiches and bottled water for many years, but when the bus broke down, the big morale project came to halt a few years ago. This year, the 7th Bomb Wing command chief asked the first sergeants to revive the project.

"This has proven to be a huge positive morale boost on the line and across other activities on the base," said Chief Master Sgt.David Goldie, 7th Bomb Wing command chief, in an e-mail. "It is very much appreciated."

Through donations from Airmen, family members, and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, the Cookie Bus was able to deliver 1,080 cookies to Airmen at the front gate, the hospital, to the back shops, on the flightline, at the deployment control center and at the cargo yard. The chamber of commerce donated more than 700 cookies and 10 cases of water.

The treats are delivered by Dyess first sergeants, said Sergeant Skelton. The first sergeants are planning on running the bus again during the Operational Readiness Inspection in October.

"We'll try to run every day, depending on resources," said Sergeant Skelton. "We'll get as many donations as we can and hit as many people as we can."

"I am really glad to see the cookie bus back this year," said Senior Airman Carolyn Viss, 7th Bomb Wing public affairs. "I think it's really important for morale. It gets really hot and tiring for Airmen to be out working 12-hour shifts."

Airman Viss, who baked and donated brownies, recently returned from a six-month deployment, and knows how much getting homemade goodies can be a boost in morale.

"I am really thankful for all those people who donated time and money to cheer me up during my time in the desert, so I took a little time last week to bake for the Airmen on base," she said. "I want to keep passing on that camaraderie and give back to whomever I can."

In order for the "bus" to run every day of the inspection, a lot of people will have to donate to the massive undertaking.

"I donate to help keep Airmen motivated during the long shifts and to support the exercise and ORI," said Staff Sgt. Darcie Ibidapo, 7th BW base multimedia manager. Sergeant Ibidapo baked more than 100 chocolate chip and Macademia nut cookies. She said she is prepared to take on that mission again for the ORI. "I love to bake, so this is an excuse to bake and not eat it all," she said jokingly.
Look for details as they become available on drop off times and dates for donations. The items most popular among the Airmen are cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, and peanut butter sandwiches. If you can't bake, bottle water is needed as well. For more information, call Master Sgt. Raymond Presley at 696-1299 or contact your first sergeant.