Fort Hood Army dining facility closed after cockroach infestation video goes viral

Published Jul 27, 05:05 PM UTC

A viral video showing a severe cockroach infestation at the Operation Iraqi Freedom dining facility on Fort Hood, Texas, has prompted the immediate closure of the facility. The video, posted anonymously on the U.S. Army W.T.F. moments social media account, depicts roaches swarming kitchen equipment and a food safety cutting board guide. Lt. Col. Joey Payton, director of public affairs for III Armored Corps, confirmed the closure in a statement to Military Times, stating the facility will remain closed until the problem is remediated. The Army is investigating the cause of the infestation. Food trucks have been deployed to serve the nearly 40,000 soldiers stationed at the base, particularly junior enlisted soldiers who have meal card deductions from their pay. The incident follows years of complaints about dining facility food quality and issues at the installation, including a 2024 controversy over meal deductions for soldiers with religious dietary restrictions.