Home-made cookies: From Tucson, to Central America

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Public Affairs
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. --  When deployed Airmen receive coveted goodies from home, they're usually sent from family or friends. For those currently serving in Central America, however, it was a Tucson business owner's thoughtful gift that brought them a little extra holiday cheer.
Jeffrey Schaufel and his family, owners of several local restaurants in Tucson, sent more than 500 dozen cookies to Air Force Airmen in appreciation of their service while away from home during the holidays.

Mr. Schaufel was presented a plaque Thursday by Col. Alan Thompson, 12th Air Forces and Air Forces Southern Chief of Staff, for his continued support of the many Airmen serving in the Tucson area and in Central and South America.

"My family believes in supporting our troops, both home and abroad," said Mr. Schaufel. "We continue to support the Cookie Caper because we believe it brings a little bit of home to [troops] who are away from their families. We also feel like it is a way to help thank them for their valuable service to this great country of ours."

The cookies were personally delivered to the Airmen by Brig. Gen. Robert Bartlett, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander; Col. Mark Mouw, 612nd Theater Operations Group commander; Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Michael McKinley; Chief Master Sergeant Wade Johnson, 12 AF (AFSOUTH) command chief; and a team of 12th Air Force Airmen, during the annual Cookie Caper tour. The tour allows senior leaders to visit and thank Airmen serving in Central and South America.

During the tour, the Chief spoke on numerous issues affecting enlisted Airmen and spent time touring their duty sections and listening to their concerns.

Colonel Thompson thanked Mr. Schaufel and his family for their continued support.
"Mr. Schaufel's continued outstanding support of our Airmen, both local and deployed, is significant and heart warming. His support improves the morale of deployed Airmen throughout the holiday period."

As a 12 AF (AFSOUTH) tradition, the annual Cookie Caper tour has delivered more 1,000 dozen cookies annually to U.S servicemembers serving in Central America.