AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — In a world where a message can be sent and received in a matter of seconds via e-mail, some think sending letters through the mail is becoming a bit outdated. However, there is still a place where a simple hand-written letter can change lives, one smile at a time — Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
"For the Marines ... stationed aboard Al Asad Air Base, mail is critical to the overall success of our mission," said 1st Sgt. Silvia Poynter, the first sergeant of Headquarters Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward). "It provides emotional stability and a sense of well-being for the Marines."
Anyone who has sent a letter or package to a Marine or Sailor currently serving aboard Al Asad knows the mailing address doesn't include a city and state, but the marking "AE," for Armed Forces Europe, and the appropriate "FPO," or fleet post office number. This designates what hub the mail will go through before arriving on Al Asad via aircraft.
Once the aircraft is unloaded and mail is sorted at the postal office located near the Al Asad flight line, Lance Cpl. Darron Newson, the II MHG (Fwd) postal noncommissioned officer-in-charge, gets a call or e-mail.
Newson then contacts II MHG (Fwd) Truck Company to supply 7-ton trucks and drivers to pick up the mail. According to Newson, a single mail delivery for the command element of Multi National Force - West and its subordinate battalions can weigh up to 50,000 pounds or more. This is especially true when delivery has been delayed by bad weather which is a common occurrence with the sand storms that frequently blanket the Al Anbar province.
Once the trucks arrive at the II MHG (Fwd) headquarters, helping hands are waiting to off-load the mail, which Newson says is stacked on the trucks according to size like the game 'Tetris.' Many times, officers and senior enlisted Marines and sailors work alongside junior enlisted Marines to expedite the process.
Newson and a handful of fellow Marines then sort the packages by work section before shooting out a quick message that most look forward to receiving, "Mail is ready to be picked up." If packages and letters from the States haven't been delayed by weather, they usually arrive on Al Asad in about seven to ten days.
"Mail call has a direct effect on morale," said Sgt. Maj. Kevin Parrick, the II MHG (Fwd) sergeant major. "All you have to say is 'mail call' and people look up."
Newson takes his job very seriously because he says he knows the effect mail can have on Marines, especially if they are expecting something from a family member or close friend.
"We handle mail for the commanding general and on down. It's a very important job," said Newson. "I love being the command mail room NCOIC, because I know, in a very small way, I'm helping my fellow Marines and sailors get through this very long deployment, and that means a great deal to me."