Santa isn’t the only one delivering to Air Commandos

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

This holiday season, the Hurlburt Field Postal Service Center wants to help you get your gifts and presents to the right location at the right time.

In order to do this, they have provided valuable tips to stick to when shipping and receiving packages.

The holiday season is a time for giving, which means Airmen are shipping various items, such as glass bottles and perfume.  To ensure items reach their destination in one piece, packages need to be labeled correctly.

“It’s very helpful that the package is labeled fragile, flammable, liquid, or any other description that will notify handlers of the type of care that needs to be used for handling the package,” said Patty Armstrong, 1st Special Operations Communication Squadron postal service center mail clerk.

Just as important as sending packages correctly, receiving packages has its process too. To ensure mail gets to the correct person in a timely manner, senders need to know what information to include on the package.

“For the dorm residents, it is very important that their mailbox number and first and last name is on the package,” said Michelle Kanuath, 1st SOCS postal service center mail clerk.

During the holiday season, the mail load triples for the PSC, this causes the center to be overloaded with boxes. Air Commandos can help alleviate this issue by picking up packages as soon as they are notified.

“One of our biggest issues is usually space,” said Armstrong. “We get so many packages in daily, and due to Airmen working different shifts, not everyone can pick up packages as soon as they are notified.”

For Airmen working late shifts, there is a buddy system that can be used. The buddy system allows a friend or co-worker to pick up packages on their behalf. To use this system notify the PSC of the person who will be retrieving your package before they make the trip.

In order for anyone to pick up a package at the PSC they will need their postal ticket. These tickets can be found in the mailbox once a packaged has arrived.

“At the end of October we implemented a new system using tickets in order to keep accountability for packages delivered,” said Armstrong. “Without a ticket, we will not be able to give out a package.”

The Hurlburt Field PSC handles mail for about 3,800 personnel daily. With these tips, hopefully, holiday mail can reach its final destination safely and in a timely manner.