Taji mail serves as lifeline to friends, family

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Maude | Nickalandra Witherspoon (right), a contracted postal clerk, assists a Soldier with his mail at the Camp Taji post office. Civilian personnel took charge of postal operations at Taji in Oct., 2007.  

TAJI, IRAQ

12.05.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude 

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Mail is a lifeline to the friends and families of Soldiers and civilians deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It takes the expertise of several organizations to move mail in and out of the Camp Taji quickly and efficiently.

In October 2007, the customer service tasks were transferred from 4th Platoon, 111th Postal Company, 15th Personnel Services Battalion, to civilian contractors.

"Since (contractors) came in, we work in the warehouse and pitch mail and they maintain the customer service," said Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Acevedoalvarez, platoon sergeant for 4th Platoon, 111th Postal Company, out of Bamberg, Germany.

The 111th Postal Co. started working at the Camp Taji a few months prior to the handover and are on their way back to Germany now that 4th Platoon, 461st Postal Company, a National Guard unit out of Decatur, Ga., is taking over.

"It's hard work, but fun," said Spc. James Pulliam, postal clerk with 4th Plt., 461st Postal Co., referring to the task of sorting hundreds of daily packages and letters at the central warehouse. Once the mail is separated it's the job of each unit's mail clerk to receive it and take it back to their area.

"We didn't have a whole lot of mail today," said Sgt. Corey Wood, acting mail clerk for the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade. Wood volunteered to assist with mail and has improved the overall facility since his arrival. "We have a way to go, but it's looking good."

• Date Taken: 12.05.2007
• Date Posted: 12.05.2007 18:24
• Story ID: 14458
• Location: TAJI, IQ