KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Being deployed presents numerous adversities ranging from incoming mortars to grueling work days to being home sick. Long hours and high operational tempo often makes it difficult to do something as simple as mailing a letter. One of the biggest morale boosters is staying in contact with family and loved ones and to make this easier, one company brought the post office closer to the soldiers.
The 350th Human Resource Company, Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Resolute, celebrated the grand opening of a post office annex near the living quarters on Kandahar Airfield, July 5.
The annex will assist service members forward deployed with sending mail back to the states. It will also aid in alleviating long lines at the main post office by funneling customers to the satellite office.
The main post office is approximately two miles from the annex. Many soldiers main mode of transportation is good old fashioned walking. In triple digits temperatures, dust, and busy missions, making the trek to mail anything from bills to love letters to packages is quite a daunting task. By positioning the annex near the living quarters, the 350th HRC is assisting the war fighter with easier means of mail communication to back home and making their day just a little bit less stressful while in the combat zone.
The postal annex has been in the works since TF-Resolute arrived in February. Many hours of planning and coordination went into making this project possible from securing land space on the crowded base to actually building the facility. The soldiers of the STB contributed to the building process with their own sweat and elbow grease as well.
1st Sgt. Byron Grubb, 350th HRC first sergeant, shared, “soldiers from the STB dug the ditches for the power lines, secured tools and building materials, and used their own hands to build the deck around the postal annex to protect customers from the sun and to provide maximum customer flow through the outdoor inspection stations for easier processing of mail.”
Having an active role in the building of the annex has made the soldiers employed there feel a stronger sense of pride in their mission. Sgt. Cyril Illidge, a postal annex non-commissioned officer in charge, contributed to the building of the deck and is also responsible for the day to day operations of the facility.
“Hard work is beneficial to character and the mission,” said Illidge. “I feel great knowing that I was a part of the construction process of a place that helps soldiers stay connected to families back home. That’s what’s important to me.”
The postal annex opened on a trial basis, June 25, for a test run before the official opening. It was received with rave reviews from customers. Sgt. David Martinez, an assistant convoy commander assigned to the 656th Transportation Company, STB, TF-Resolute was upon those in attendance.
“This is great and is exactly what we needed,” stated Martinez. “The location is awesome and so are the hours.”
On Tuesday, July 5, the postal annex officially opened following a ribbon cutting ceremony. Those in attendance were treated to a barbecue of hot dogs and hamburgers to celebrate the grand opening.
The 350th HRC will continue to man both the main post office and the postal annex and provide exceptional customer service while assisting war fighters with their mail needs.
| Date Taken: | 07.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2011 08:32 |
| Story ID: | 73276 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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