base post office

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Freddy Hawkins, 35th Communications Squadron postal clerk, measures package dimensions Dec. 7 at the post office. During the holiday season, the base post office will see an estimated 100 percent increase in mail flow and will rely on volunteers to assist in meeting their duty requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

base post office

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Keyone Cropper, 35th Communications Squadron official mail center clerk, secures a package Dec. 7 at the post office. During the holiday season, the post office can easily become one of the busiest units on base, especially with many residents sending packages to family and friends back in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

base post office

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Kazuya Sekiai, a post office holiday hire, loads packages Dec. 7 at the post office. During Christmas season, volunteers and holiday hires are asked to help out with breaking down bulk mail, pitching first class mail and manning the parcel pick-up window. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

Airmen get packages home for Christmas

Published Dec. 9, 2009
By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- With Christmas right around the corner, the 35th Communications Squadron post office is looking for dedicated individuals to help meet their volunteer requirements during the expected holiday surge from now until Christmas.

During the holiday season, a base post office can easily become one of the busiest units on base, especially with many residents sending packages to family and friends back in the U.S.

"We don't have enough people to push the mail out," said Staff Sgt. Reneekqua Grays, 35th CS postal service center NCO in charge. "So in order for everybody to get their Christmas packages, we need help to get it out."

During the holiday season, the post office can see anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of mail a day, compared to less than 1,000 pounds during the off season, Sergeant Grays said.

Volunteers are asked to help out with breaking down bulk mail, pitching first class mail and manning the parcel pick-up window, said Tech. Sgt Brian Klause, 35th CS official mail section manager. Shift times will be completely up to the individual and their availability.

In the past, the post office has had good participation within the holiday volunteer program.

"Based on previous years, I would say we'll have approximately 20 volunteers at any given time," Sergeant Klaus said. "And that's including senior leadership down to the non-commissioned officers and Airmen of any respective unit that decides to send some folks to help us out."

The program isn't open to only Airmen, Sergeant Grays said. The program is also open to Soldiers and Sailors. Spouses and dependants may volunteer as well. All an interested individual needs to have is free time, enthusiasm and closed-toe shoes.

Until Jan. 15, the post office's hours of operation are as follows:

Parcel mailing center

Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parcel pick-up window

Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Items not authorized for mailing include:

intoxicating liquors
perfumes and colognes
pressurized containers
controlled substances
drug paraphernalia
odor-producing materials
firearms

For more information on volunteering and parcel guidelines, contact the post office at 226-3493.