Post office supports Operation Tomodachi augmentees

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  When it comes to supporting Operation Tomodachi, the post office staff delivers.

As part of relief efforts to help the people of Japan, the Airmen and civilians there have worked extensive hours to ensure everyone on Team Yokota can get their mail in and out.

"We've had a lot of extra people come to Yokota, so we've been busy making sure they've been able to send and receive mail," said Staff Sgt. Roddy Red Horse, the NCO in charge of the mail center. "That's on top of everyone we usually support. It's been important for us to accommodate people, especially with the crazy hours some folks have worked."

In addition to extending their hours, the post office has set up unit mail boxes for sister service teams deployed to Yokota.

"We normally provide postal support for about 11 thousand people, but with all the extra augmentees, we've had a lot more mail," said Master Sgt. Victor Negron, postmaster. "For about the last month, we've worked about 100 extra hours in total, just to make sure people were able to get their mail."

The additional mail service has been beneficial for people to send and receive letters and care packages, Sergeant Negron said.

"There's nothing more personal than getting a letter or care package," he said. "Whether it's from your family or your unit back home, it lets you know you're missed and that people are thinking about you. Having a letter means you can take it out, read it and reread it whenever you want.

"It's a big morale booster," Sergeant Negron added.

Airmen from the post office have also had the opportunity to help out in other areas on base. For Staff Sgt. Phuong Yim, a postal technician, volunteering to set up lodging rooms was his way to give back.

When an old dormitory building needed to be converted to house people sent to Yokota, Sergeant Yim set up cots, cleaned floors and hung shower curtains.

"I like knowing that I'm supporting everyone here," Sergeant Yim said. "Really, everyone just wants to help."