MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Mail service was temporarily halted aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Feb. 19 due to the discovery of a suspicious package at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, earlier in the day.
Although Iwakuni was not the final destination of the package, it was sent through the Military Postal Service. United States Forces Japan made the decision to close military postal facilities in Japan and Okinawa in order to ensure the safety of mail recipients and further investigate the incident.
The Station Post Office would like to remind residents that all mail addressed to MCAS Iwakuni is screened vigorously before reaching the hands of their patrons.
"Our postal clerks have a constant eye out for suspicious packages of any sort," said Master Sgt. David Reyes, Station postal chief. "We take our job very seriously."
In light of recent concerns over terrorists utilizing postal activity postal clerks now wear gloves as a precautionary measure when handling and sorting mail.
"We've instructed our Marines to wear gloves as a means of further protecting themselves," said Reyes.
According to the Post Office's Standard Operating Procedure, a daily health log is kept, noting any complications in the physical condition of anyone who handles the mail.
The SOP also notes some of the indicators of a suspicious package, such as protruding wires or oily stains, which postal clerks and recipients alike, should be vigilant of when screening their mail.
"People should be cautious of items they may receive that don?t have a return address or even an address they don't recognize," said Reyes. "We receive tips of what to look for from organizations like the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Postal Service and local agencies such as the Station Fire Department and Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit as well."
Although all mail is in essence, "run through the gauntlet," official activity mail receives special attention, according to Reyes.
"Letters and packages addressed to the various commands, school and medical are most likely the type of place a terrorist would attempt to strike, but just like any other threat people should be conscience of the possibility and take preventive steps," said Reyes.
For more information contact the Station Post Office at 253-4542 or visit the Iwakuni intranet at http://www.intranet/.