Holiday Mailing Information and Post Office Volunteer Opportunities Published Oct. 26, 2009 By Master Sgt. Mysti Habetler 51st Communications Squadron Postal Operations Superintendent OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- I love getting a package in the mail! Whether it's something I ordered for myself or a surprise from family or friends, the infamous little yellow slip always makes my day. With the holiday season fast approaching, Osan Air Base is about to see a significant increase in the arrival of all those wonderful packages! With that in mind, we at the Osan Post Office would like to pass along some helpful hints to make holiday mailing as stress-free as possible. DROPPING OFF PACKAGES To better serve you, beginning Nov. 8, we will increase our customer service hours. The front counter will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and will be closed on Sunday. If you have more than five packages to mail, please call 784-4394 or 784-1014 to set up an individual appointment. The Pony Express (located just inside the main gate) will also be an option for customers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. We will maintain these extended hours through Jan. 16, 2010. Even with these extended hours, the lines will be long so plan for a little extra time when stopping by the post office. To make sure your packages reach their destination before Dec. 25, please adhere to the following mailing deadlines: Destination / 1st Class Letters or Cards / Priority / PAL / SAM / EMMS CONUS / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 30-Nov-09/ 30-Nov-09 / 14-Dec-09 APO/FPO AP / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / N/A APO/FPO AE / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / N/A APO/FPO AA / 7-Dec-09 / 7-Dec-09 / 30-Nov-09 / 23-Nov-09 / N/A For family and friends sending packages (or ordering items), please use the following dates: Parcel post: Nov. 13 Space Available (SAM) - Nov. 27 Parcel Airlift - Dec. 4 Priority Mail - Dec. 11 First Class Letters/Cards - Dec. 11 Express Mail Military Service - Dec. 18 To expedite mailing items, please consider utilizing the Click and Ship option at www.usps.com. It takes a few minutes to set up an account and you can pay for shipping and print out labels from your home, then drop off your package and the Click and Ship window at the Osan Post Office. Other services available at www.usps.com include information on packing standards, prohibited items (perishable, gold fish, alcohol, etc.) and special services (insurance, certified, registered, delivery confirmation, and more). This website also allows you to track both incoming and outgoing packages. PICKING UP PACKAGES For picking up packages, we are also increasing our customer service hours. Beginning Nov. 8, the parcel pick-up window will be open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Please bring your yellow slip with you; with the increased volume in mail, clerks will not have time to try and locate a package without the accompanying slip, since this identifies the location of your package on our shelves. The post office staff would like to remind you that in accordance with DoD 4525.6-M, personnel are required to check their mail every five days and be prepared to pick up packages. The last thing we want to do is return your package - please help us to help you. VOLUNTEERING AT YOUR OSAN POST OFFICE We need you! If anyone would like to volunteer at the post office, we work every day and ALWAYS welcome a helping hand. Please contact Staff Sgt. Terrill Clay or Senior Airman Antonio Savage at DSN 784-1189 if you'd like to lend a hand. Lastly, there will be volunteers offering a few special holiday services. The first, full service packaging will be available Nov. 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your items to be mailed along with the shipping information and we will pack your items and fill out all the applicable forms. There is no set price, but we accept donations. We plan on offering gift wrapping and possibly even a visit from everyone's favorite bearded man in red. Stay tuned. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Master Sgt. Mysti Habetler at DSN 784-2315 or Mr. James Groff at 784-1014. Your Osan Post Office is here to serve you!