More than 3,000 transient servicemembers invaded this desert base recently.

These travelers broke the base’s records for lodging and dining.

"They came in droves, hungry and tired," said Lt. Col. David Preston, the commander of the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron. "But, Services was up for the challenge."

When bad weather delayed flights around the theater of operations, the base’s number of personnel waiting to fly in and out escalated quickly.

"We knew the rotational schedule was tight, with lots of people overlapping from (Air and Space Expeditionary Force) 7/8 and 9/10," said Lt. Col. Dave McCormick, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group deputy commander. "The delayed flights added to our transient (personnel) numbers, and we exceeded our lodging capacity by 35 percent."

The gym, theater and an unused dining hall served as backup billeting. They housed more than 300 servicemembers who slept on cots or in chairs. Other guests were bused to a nearby Army camp for the night.

The base’s Independence Dining Facility staff fed troops around the clock. At 4 a.m., long lines formed and the staff extended breakfast hours to accommodate their visitors. No one went hungry.

"We didn't need to serve any MREs," Colonel Preston said. "Anyone who wanted a hot meal had one."

The wing also continued to issue ration cards and other creature comforts to visiting Airmen and Soldiers. Extra buses arrived to move the high number of transients between the air terminal operations center and the coalition compound. Security forces worked extra hours to ensure guests traveled safely on base.

"I was impressed," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Leonhard. Due to delays, Sergeant Leonhard had to spend the night at the base on the way to his deployed location. "I've spent the last nine days in the air trying to get to my final assignment in the AOR, and the record numbers were transparent to me. The 379th provided world-class service to this weary Airman."

But, the wing’s senior leadership credits the “outstanding professionals” in the 379th ESS with handling the record-breaking achievement.

"The real heroes are our services folks," Colonel McCormick said. "We have highly trained professionals who planned for this contingency, and they made sure everyone was taken care of."

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Servicemembers sleep on cots in this desert base’s Freedom Dining Facility. They are waiting for flights to move them to their deployed locations. Due to bad weather throughout the region, more than 3,000 transients had to spend the night here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang)