KABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – It is1445 on Camp Phoenix; the heat is stifling. Military vehicles, gaiters, and tactical vehicles kick the dust up at the U.S. Postal distribution center. It is time for the daily mail pick up.
Task Force Tarpon relies upon Spc. Victor Anderson, Postal Operations Noncommissioned Officer, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Alabama National Guard, to retrieve, sort and distribute mail for military and civilians on camps Phoenix, Bala Hissar, and Blackhorse.
On an average day Anderson will distribute 50 packages at Camp Phoenix. This day he picks up approximately 75 boxes for the personnel at Camp Phoenix.
The mail at the outlying camps is distributed weekly. “You should see it when Blackhorse picks up their mail, it is a lot” said Anderson.
“Most of the boxes are orders from body building, vitamin and fitness companies” said Anderson.
Everyone in the Personnel (S1) section received training and is certified to handle the mail. Each office has a certified mail handler authorized to pick up mail for that office. Those that do not are required to send the individual to pick up their mail.
Having additional mail handlers pleases Anderson. “It is a good thing, look at this mail” said Anderson.
Spc Kristie Ellick drives the second gaiter. Both vehicles are topped out with boxes, certified mail and letters. Ellick carries a massage chair in the passenger seat of her gaiter – it does not fit anywhere else.
Anderson and Ellick move to the mailroom to unload. They hope to move undetected, yet knowing someone will great them with the daily question - did I get anything?
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Denise Richardson lends a hand followed by Sgt. Marquetta Taylor. Richardson is the Deputy S1 and Taylor is the Awards NCO. Both are with the 226th MEB from Mobile, Alabama.
“We share the responsibility, it is important to the Soldiers” said Taylor.
The final step to mail distribution is the signing of the log and receipt.
About 1630 the mailroom door opens and already there is a short line. Individuals were notified earlier that they have a letter or a box for pick up.
“This is the fun part of the job” said Anderson. “Some people are less pleasant than others, disappointed they did not get anything or their package has not arrived.”
Chief Warrant Office 2 Angelica Thompson, Property Book Officer / Theater Provided Equipment Manager, 226th MEB is pleased with the oversized box from her sister.
“All the way from the [Caribbean] islands” said Anderson.
Before the day is complete Anderson himself receives a gift from the islands.
“Anderson, remember my telling you about my favorite [treat] from home, here it is” said Thompson. She reached around the line and handed one to Anderson.
Tomorrow the process starts over – perhaps the computer will ping and read “you’ve got mail.”