Letters, small packages move quicker Published Aug. 29, 2003 By K.L. Vantran American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The U.S. Postal Service and the Military Postal Service Agency process about two million pounds of mail a week for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of those, some items make it to the recipient faster than others, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brian Lomax, agency chief of plans and policy.Depending on where it originates, a letter or package spends "a couple of days" in the civilian system before it reaches either San Francisco or New York City, Lomax said. Then it travels another 16 to 19 hours by plane before landing in Kuwait or Bahrain. From there, it is picked up and delivered by motor vehicle.Once in theater, a letter takes seven to 14 days to reach the servicemember, while a package usually takes 14 to 24 days, he said. Packages make up 90 percent of the mail."The mail is getting to the troops," he said. "The troops are happy. Our intent is to continue to make improvements and exceed their expectations."Using automated mail-scanning equipment and increasing the number of people working at mail facilities are two improvements that have sped up mail delivery, Lomax said.People who mail letters and packages also can help, he said. "The size of the package (is) an important (factor)," Lomax said. "Large packages take up a lot more room. If there's a choice between taking one large box or a lot of smaller boxes and letters, the large box will stay (at the mail facility). The ideal size is a shoebox. It's also important to correctly address the package."Some items cannot be mailed. They include: aerosol cans, alcoholic beverages, ammunition, fireworks, flammable or explosive materials and illegal or infectious substances. For more information, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit the postal service Web site at www.usps.com. Though it is not one of the restricted items, Lomax recommended against sending chocolate. "Chocolate and 140 degrees (make) chocolate paste," he said.Cookies and sunflower seeds seem to travel well, he said, and placing cookies in a coffee can helps to protect them.Heat also takes a toll on the tape used in packaging, Lomax said. The postal service officials recommend using clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Cord, string and twine should not be used, because they can get caught in the mail-processing equipment.Servicemembers love to get mail, Lomax said. "When I was out at sea, it was always a joy to get a letter from home or a copy of a report card,” Lomax said. “It's an exhilarating feeling: 'I'm out here doing my job, and they haven't forgotten who I am.'"