Norfolk, Va. – A backlog of mail at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is causing mail sent to service members stationed in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia to be delayed
An announcement posted by Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella says an estimated 56 containers of mail are backlogged at the airport.
The U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General and senior military postal authorities at the Department of Defense are investigating the causes of the backlog and searching for ways to clear it, according to the announcement.
via Airport backlog causing delays in mail sent to service members overseas
4/11/14 — Update: USPS has taken action to move backlogged mail out of USPS Chicago International Military Service Center (CIMSC) reported earlier this week. USPS action to augment IMSC with personnel and equipment has significantly reduced mail backlog. Mail backlog is projected to be completely cleared and normal processing resumed by Friday, 11 April. As of 9 April, the oldest postmarked material awaiting movement to end destination at the CONUS mail sorting facility was 4 April. The actual percentage of mail affected within the backlog of containers destined for the EURAFSWA Region remains unknown at this time.
4/8/14 — Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of State personnel stationed in the Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) Region may encounter some increased transit times and delays of incoming mail. International Service Center (ISC), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), which manages mail distribution for military (APO/FPO) addresses worldwide, has announced they have an estimated 56 containers of mail backlogged at ORD. USPS Post Master General and senior military Postal activities within DoD are investigating primary causes and working alternatives to manage the backlog, as well as evaluate current distribution contract to prevent additional mail delays. NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Postal Director and supporting leads at Navy activities across the EURAFSWA Region are closely monitoring the situation and will work through base media to keep all customers updated as new information is received.