Delivery from Deutschland

Senior Airman Felicia Wilcox, 86th Communications Squadron custodian of postal effects, brings boxes out of the storage room for people to purchase at the Northside Post Office Oct. 24, 2013, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. During the holiday season, the post office delivers and receives their highest amount of mail. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Delivery from Deutschland

Staff Sgt. Chad Adamczyk, 603rd Air Communications Squadron configuration management supervisor, double checks the name on a package at the Northside Post Office Oct. 24, 2013, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Adamczyk spends time volunteering at the post office to help relieve some of the holiday workload postal employees receive during the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Delivery from Deutschland

Senior Airman Felicia Wilcox, 86th Communications Squadron custodian of postal effects, assists a customer purchase at the Northside Post Office Oct. 24, 2013, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The Ramstein Northside Post Office is the largest post office in the Department of Defense based on volume of mail and number of customers served. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Delivery from Deutschland

Senior Airman Jonathan Lee, 86th Communications Squadron finance clerk, moves a package to the delivery area at the Northside Post Office Oct. 24, 2013, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As the holidays approach, Airmen working at the post office will work longer hours to ensure operations continue to run smoothly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Delivery from Deutschland

Published Nov. 1, 2013
By Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- With the holidays around the corner, one can't help but think of friends and family and contemplate what to send home to let them know you're thinking about them. But the question on everyone's mind should be, "how do I get gifts to my loved ones?"

That's where the 86th Communications Squadron comes in to help.

"Our job is to process any incoming and outgoing mail," said Senior Airman Leonardra Clayton, 86th CS postal specialist.

Throughout the year, personnel at Ramstein post offices receive and deliver thousands of packages, but they definitely see a spike in operations during only a couple months out of the year.

"We're always getting mail, but it's the busiest during the holidays and PCS season," she said. "On an average day, our delivery trucks will drop 700 to over 1,000 pieces of mail."

With so many packages going in and out, it is important to make sure customer bring their packages to the post office early to ensure they are delivered to their destinations on time.

"If you want your mail to arrive home in time for the holidays, I recommend sending them in mid-November," Clayton said. "Beginning Nov. 15, we will start working 12-hour shifts because of how much mail we receive."

Even though the hours are long and the mail never stops, there are moments that bring a smile to these Airmen.

"It makes me happy when parents come in with their kids and the kids are so excited because they have a white slip letting them know their package is at the post office," Clayton said. "It makes me feel like Santa Claus. I can't believe I've made someone's day by just giving them a box."

The positive attitude shows in the Airmen's job performance.

"The Airmen that work at the post office are really courteous and professional," said Master Sgt. Willie Cooper, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa travel planner to commander. "I've never had a problem with my packages getting to where I send them."

Whether it's a happy holiday postcard, letter or gift, the 86th CS will work hard to get it where it needs to go.