Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Rundle | Soldiers based at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Afghanistan, with the help of crew...... read more read more
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By Spc. Aubree Rundle
Task Force Pegasus Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—With the holiday season approaching, Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII look forward to the arrival of boxes filled with comfort items and sweets from their loved ones.
The majority of packages and mail sent here are delivered to these Soldiers at a number of forward operating bases and outposts by aviation elements conducting continuous operations in theater—delivering mail is one of the many roles the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade takes part in.
B Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd CAB, 82nd Airborne Division, could be considered by some troops as some of Santa's "military elves". Delivering boxes marked "holiday goodies" and Christmas trees sent from home, crew members download various packages during stops made throughout their ongoing missions.
"Currently, we're delivering more than 5,000 lbs. of mail a week, said Army Chief Warrant Officer Paul Wetzel, CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot for Co. B, 3-82nd GSAB. "We expect the mail loads to continue to increase over the next few weeks through New Years."
With many Soldiers at outposts located in areas where supplies and mail can reach them only by helicopter, ground units rely on 82nd CAB helicopters to deliver equipment, troops, supplies and mail, said Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy Valencia, CH-47 pilot for Co. B, 3-82nd GSAB.
Bravo Co. isn't the only flight company making these "holiday" deliveries; UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter companies and the other CH-47 Chinook helicopter companies in the 82nd CAB also take part in providing aviation support for ground troops.
"When we land on the helipads, trucks and forklifts along with more than 20 troops sometimes are waiting to help download packages and bags of mail from our helicopters," said Valencia.
Before making these deliveries possible, the mass amounts of mail being distributed to Soldiers in Afghanistan has to be sorted. The 458th Postal Company, based at Bagram Airfield, spend days separating Soldier's mail and then transport it to the helicopters to be loaded prior to their mission departures.
"When there is extra space on our helicopters, we pick up any 'space [available]' mail for the ground troops—they wait long enough as it is," said Army Sgt. Justin Neely, crew chief for Co. B, 3-82 GSAB.
Call them Santa's "military elves" or Soldiers executing their mission, with the delivery of thousands of pounds of boxes going out to Soldiers throughout the country each week, the love and support of families and friends back home makes the holiday season and spirit of troops in Afghanistan just a little bit brighter.
| Date Taken: | 11.28.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2007 07:41 |
| Story ID: | 14250 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 366 |
| Downloads: | 332 |
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