MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Marines and sailors living in the barracks will soon have easy access to their mail any time of the day.
Construction section personnel from Marine Wing Support Squadron-371 are putting their skills to the test in erecting a 2,500 unit postal box ramada next to the station post office on Hart St.
Progress on the outdoor structure has given the MWSS-371 construction team a variety of tasks to complete.
"We had to set forms and pour concrete, do blockwork, install the boxes and build the ramada roof," said Cpl. Brandon Orsack, combat engineer with MWSS-371.
Orsack said the last big task the construction Marines have left is to raise the roof, a three-layer metal reinforced cover that is designed to protect the boxes from weather elements.
"It looks awesome," said Gunnery Sgt. Donnie Davis, station postal chief, of the new edifice. "MWSS-371 and all the guys who have put time in erecting the boxes are doing an outstanding job."
Davis said the postal boxes will make it more convenient for the Marines in the bachelor enlisted and officer housing to collect their mail.
"All personnel utilizing the squadron as their mailing address will now have no-cost post office boxes," Davis said.
"It will make it more convenient for Marines who are shift workers, such as from Air Traffic Control and the Provost Marshal's Office, so they don't have to rely on their squadron mail rooms," he added.
The air station is conforming to a practice common to other Marine Corps bases, according to Davis, who has had plans for the post office boxes for more than five years.
The Marines involved in creating the new postal delivery system said they are excited about the effects it is expected to have on the quality of life for station Marines and sailors.
"I live out in town, so I might not use the P.O. boxes, but it feels good to be a part of something that will give everyone else an easier way to check their mail. It's going to help the whole base out," said Orsack.
The boxes are tentatively scheduled to be ready to be assigned to Marines and used by March 1, Davis said.