Wright-Patt Mail Center keeps mission running

Gloria Countryman, 88th Communication Squadron Official Mail Center clerk, weighs and applies postage for outgoing mail at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in this 2017 photo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Al Bright)

Gloria Countryman, 88th Communication Squadron Official Mail Center clerk, weighs and applies postage for outgoing mail at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in this 2017 photo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Al Bright)

The Official Mail Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base continues to ensure its mission to receive, process and transit all official and personal mail in a timely manner is still accomplished amid the current public health emergency.

Working with a 16-person staff, Melvin Graham, official mail manager, is responsible for all of the official mail on the installation, which encompasses receiving, shipping and delivery. The center sorts to over 1,300 offices, makes 123 mail delivery stops and assists nine organizations that pick-up mail directly.

“As the central mail processing facility for the installation, we deliver to a centralized location for each building,” said Graham. “Although we are concerned about the present environment and the risk factors involved, we are continuing with our mission.”

All official mail passes through the Official Mail Center, including the Postal Service Center. Serving every organization authorized to use the Official Mail Center, more than 115, the center also ships out official mail using the most cost-efficient method that will meet the operation requirements of the sending organization. They also implement and document annual training of personnel that have been assigned as the organization’s focal point for sending and receiving mail.

“We oversee the Postal Service Center contract, which services 384 dorm residents and inbound personnel that needs general delivery to receive their personal mail until they arrive and establish a permanent address,” said Graham.

Both the Official Mail Center and the Postal Service Center are following all safety recommended installation procedures while keeping customers at a safe distance of at least six feet away. Delivery personnel now reserves a list of who they deliver to, excusing customers from handling scanners to sign.

In addition to the safety precautions, Graham said the mail center has reduced the number of mail stops from 123 to 39.

“Reducing mail stops allows us to consolidate our two daily deliveries into a single morning delivery.

As another safety precaution, we’ve initiated alternating shifts to minimize the number of personnel in the office at the same time and to maintain service to those that require our services,” said Graham.

Although many services have changed their hours, the postal service hours have remained the same. However, Graham askes that during this time, organizations only request postal services if they are absolutely necessary to accomplish the mission.

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