Action Line: RAF Lakenheath Post Office Published March 28, 2013 By Col. Kyle Robinson 48th Fighter Wing commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- COMPLAINT: I have a question/concern about the mail here at RAF Lakenheath. My husband and I PSCed into RAFL in August and we have been adjusting to the new environment, but the mail continues to be a concern. We have learned that it takes well over a week for priority boxes to get to the East coast which does seem to be a long time, but the Christmas cards that I mailed on 19 December and had expected them to arrive in the states about 5 January have finally arrived: 28 February and 2 March. I am in a quandary to where they have been. Since they are not trackable I guess I will never know. But it was a big dissappointment for my Grand children when their Christmas checks were not delivered in the season, but I guess they can rejoice in getting them for Easter. Could you please let me know the secret to the mail here? How do I get things home in a timely manner without having to send them 3 months early? Thank you very much for your time. RESPONSE: Ma'am, I understand that a PCS move can be frustrating at times and our mail system can provide some relief as it keeps us closer to family and friends back home in the states. Just like you, I wish our mail system could flow just as it does in the states. However, being overseas, we can only transport our US mail on selected airline carriers. This is primarily due to the security of our mail and contracts USPS has with selected air carriers. The Lakenheath Post Office contacted the Postal Director of Transportation to see what might have caused this delay or if there were additional delays of mail reported. Unfortunately, we did not have any reports of mail being delayed so we cannot pinpoint your Christmas cards being caught up with a particular delayed shipment. The Post Office did discuss the possibility that the delay was due to the military mail hub in the U.S. transferring from JFK Airport in NY to O'Hare Airport in Chicago, IL. The transfer of the mail hubs occurred in early January and with job positions being transferred as well, many jobs were either vacant or were being manned by less trained personnel. With the excess Christmas mail and lack of trained USPS employees, it appears that your Christmas cards were misrouted. The cards eventually made their way to our mail hub in Chicago and then into the USPS stream for delivery. I hope this clears up some of the confusion for you. Normally, Priority Mail or First Class letters will take 7-10 days for delivery in the states. We do offer an Express Mail service and that will take no more than 3 days for delivery. I share your frustration and disappointment that your mail took so long to make it to your grandchildren. I can assure you that we have very well trained professionals working at your post office here on RAF Lakenheath. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Post Office at 226-2370 (01638 52 2370). They are more than happy to assist you with your mailing needs or with any questions or concerns you might have. Very Respectfully, Col. Robinson