Holloman dormitories receive new mailbox units

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony M. Ward
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Members of the 49th Wing Communications Squadron here began the installation of new mailbox units throughout the entire dormitory complex Jan. 13.

The installation of the new units will provide approximately 560 Airmen residing in the dormitories with more secure, weather resistant, and overall higher-quality mailboxes than the current units.

"It was actually because of our dorm residents making mention of getting dirt in their mail that we decided to install these new units," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Camillo "Billy" DiCarlo, 49th CS client service center section chief. "These new units are more ruggedized, or more weather proof."

The new mailboxes are also larger than the current ones, which will save Airmen time in most cases.

"The current units are small, and therefore cannot hold parcels Airmen receive," said DiCarlo. "These new units contain a special parcel box below the regular units that will allow Airmen to receive their packages instantly instead of having to make a trip to the Base Information Transfer Center."

When Airmen receive parcels in the new units, they will receive a key in their personal unit, which will open the parcel box. The Airman will then take their parcel, leaving the key in the parcel box.

Installation of these new mail units will not only benefit the Airmen who use them, but will also be more cost efficient to the Air Force, as their increased durability ensures they will last longer than the current units.

"We estimate these new units will last somewhere between 10 to 15 years," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Travis Bates, 49th CS quality assurance technician. "Since the project will be conducted by the 49th CS, we will also save the Air Force labor costs."

The mailbox units alone cost approximately $60,000, and the projected cost to have them installed by a separate contactor would have been roughly $100,000. Thanks to members of the 49th CS, the total cost of the new mail units and installation will be reduced by more than half.

Members of Team Holloman residing in the dormitories should expect to receive instruction to pick up their new mailbox keys at the BITC during the installation period.

To see a full photo slideshow of Holloman's dormitories receiving new mailbox units, click here.