Local Couple Competes in International Duathlon
Navy Begins Program to Reassess Non-Deployable Sailors
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2018 AutumnFest FAQs
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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OCTOBER 5, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 37
A Day in the Life of the Fleet Mail Center By LS2 Andrea Tucker
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Paul Nuttle sorts boxes after they pass through the x-ray machine at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Fleet Mail Center (FMC) while receiving and sorting the mail for further dispatch to commands at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and ships operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
SIGONELLA, Sicily (October 2, 2018) Logistics Specialist Seaman Cheyenne Verdun moves boxes to be x-rayed at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Fleet Mail Center (FMC) while receiving and sorting the mail for further dispatch to commands at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and ships operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
Logistics Specialist Seaman Dylan Capaldi scans boxes at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Fleet Mail Center (FMC) while receiving and sorting the mail for further dispatch to commands at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and ships operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi/Released)
“Mail Call, mail call!” Any day there’s a package with your name on it is a good day. Tracking numbers are golden as anticipation builds waiting for a recent order or that delivery confirmation of a care package from loved ones. The Fleet Mail Center (FMC), a function of U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, operates as a well-oiled machine. On a day to day basis the FMC facilitates successful military mail movement. Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is serviced by two military post offices operated by Sailors in the FMC division. The FMC team also services the all of the Navy units operating in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). The day starts early for the FMC team—before sunrise each morning—as Sailors from the FMC meet the mail at the Catania Airport that has come from the Chicago International Military Service Center. The Sailors load all the mail that arrived in Catania the previous day into the Italian commercial box trucks to bring back to NAS Sigonella, where it will be unloaded and sorted at the FMC. The amount of mail received at this point sets the tone for the day. On average, the FMC receives 19,000 kilograms of mail per week depending on fleet operations. When there is a carrier strike group operating in the AOR, that number balloons to between 50,000 and 60,000 kilograms of mail daily, which is equivalent to the weight of an empty C-130 airplane. Back at the FMC, the postal team preps the warehouse for the mail truck delivery. The warehouse is divided into sections: Section 1 is mail for NAS Sigonella commands and Section 2 is for operational units in the U.S. 6th fleet AOR. Mail is unloaded from the Italian commercial box truck and loaded onto a conveyor belt. All incoming mail is x-rayed prior to being moved to its assigned section. Postal personnel enforce all United States Postal Service (USPS) and Italian customs regulations and prohibited items are processed according to postal regulations. During this process, the NAS I and NAS II post offices open for the day to customers needing USPS services and to mail order-
lies who are gathering mail for their commands. Throughout the day, the fleet mail team works with Air Cargo and Commander, Task Force 63 to move mail from the fleet mail center to Air Cargo, where it will eventually be dispatched to ships operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR. Along with the physical task of processing mail, the FMC must also have seamless communication. All mail is scanned and tracked to completion at each point of mail delivery. Reports are generated with piece and weight counts of mail received and dispatched. Additionally, mail received and dispatched is also uploaded to the USPS and Military Postal Services websites for tracking and accountability. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella’s Fleet Mail Center has been a key player providing logistical support on and off base throughout Europe and Africa. FMC is always trying to identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and tackle logistical challenges. Chief Logistics Specialist Chris Strehl was asked his thoughts on what FMC provides the community and how his team ensures that the customers are getting the best service possible. “Mail is a very personal thing and is quite important to our customers, whether it is someone in the Sigonella community or a service member down range,” said Strehl. “Getting mail from loved ones back in the States or getting that package from Amazon, it is something that everyone looks forward to. The FMC understands the importance of getting our customers their mail in a timely and efficient manner, so we implement processes to deliver mail to the community in an efficient way. But we are always looking to better the process to support our customers.” Many customers have seen the changes in the NAS I Post Office with the installation of individual mail receptacles. For those on NAS II, receptacles are in the works, and the FMC team is working closely with the Public Works Department and the base community to relocate the facility to a larger location that can handle the modernization efforts. While full implementation of the NAS II receptacles won’t be completed this year, you will see and hear more on this effort as information comes available.
A view of the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Fleet Mail Center (FMC) as shown while a carrier strike group operates in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by LSC Arthurlevy Agulto)