BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Leaders of the 101st Sustainment Brigade spent the day familiarizing themselves with military postal operations and assisting in the distribution of increased mail during the holiday season.
Key leaders of Task-Force Lifeliner visited the Bagram Air Field Mail Distribution Center, separating letters and packages of all sorts. The exercise was part of the brigade’s leadership professional development training.
When the working day was complete, the Lifeliner family distributed 132,000 pounds of mail, as well as gaining a new found respect for the 130 postal workers who handle a task as hefty as this one every day of the year.
Before the working began, leaders were briefed by Warrant Officer Thaddeus Lumar, mail movement officer for the 510th Human Resources Company, 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, and taken to each area of the flight line that plays an important part of the distribution process. Then the work began.
The team was separated and assigned to specific areas of the distribution center. Command Sgt. Maj. Katrina Najee, command sergeant major of 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, manned the forklift, transporting bundles of mail to the key leaders for distribution.
“What can I say, I’ve got skills,” Najee said, handling the forklift with style.
Meanwhile, the Lifeliner officers were hard at work, lifting and sorting packages alongside the civilian workforce of Bagram Air Field.
“It was great to see the rest of the staff get out there and really understand how important the mail distribution works,” said Lt. Col. Robert Davis, Special Troops Battalion Commander, 101st Sustainment Brigade.
“Everyone was learning a lot, as well as asking some very good questions. Many of the NCOs asked questions their soldiers ask, that way they could share with them the information they’ve received,” Davis said.
The soldiers worked diligently throughout the distribution process to complete the task at hand, having a good time with one another and sustaining a high level of motivation.
“Receiving mail around this time of year is very important from a moral prospective, “said Maj. Mario Washington, Brigade Administrative Officer in Charge, 101st Sustainment Brigade. “The importance cannot be overrated around this time of year.”
Along with the distribution of packages, other Lifeliner leaders took on the responsibility of letter distribution.
“Where we were…that was hard stuff,” said Sgt. Maj. Doug Emmons, operations sergeant major, 101st Sustainment Brigade.
“Attention to detail is much required for that specific task. It’s easy to have a letter in your hand and just throw it in the wrong delivery bag. Yet, at the same time, you have to think about that soldier who’s waiting, and that’s what motivates you to do the right thing,” Emmons said.
The day’s event kicked off with a visit from 101st Airborne Division Command Sgt. Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder.
Schroeder, a graduate of Thomas Edison State College, covered many topics regarding the 101st Sustainment Brigade’s mission, as well as embracing their arrival.
“Lifeliners, I’m glad you’re here,” Schroeder said to each soldier in the room. “You all have made a difference in not only the 101st Airborne Division, but our nation as a whole.”
“Standards and discipline go a long way. Let’s continue to do the right thing, and make our country proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Schroeder said.
Following Schroeder’s brief, the soldiers enjoyed a delicious "backyard" barbecue lunch at the Blackjack village Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Center, replete with ribs, chicken, burgers.
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