TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On a normal day, the 60th Force Support Squadron Official Mail Center is responsible for receiving, processing, controlling and sending administrative communications, as well as preparing mail for dispatch to Travis Air Force Base, California, the U.S. Postal Service and for commercial delivery. The OMC is located at building 243, which also houses the 60th Communications Squadron.
With Travis serving as Air Mobility Command's largest installation, as well as hosting David Grant USAF Medical Center, the Air Force's flagship medical facility, the mission of the OMC is essential to keeping base operations functional as the unit processes an average of 1,800 to 2,500 pounds of packages and official mail each week.
The OMC also serves as the first line of defense for the base when it comes to ensuring mail is secure. The small contingency of Airmen working at the facility are trained to identify suspicious packages by utilizing special equipment to check for contraband, radiation, asbestos or chemicals that could be harmful to recipients.
“We check all mail parcels whether they are envelopes, packages or boxes,” said Airman 1st Class Lisa Robinson, an OMC administrator. “The X-ray machine allows us to take a glimpse inside of packages to check for threats. There’s also the Hardened Mobile Trace Detector, a device that we use to check for explosives.”
This training was put into effect when Robinson inspected the daily influx of packages that arrived the morning of March 18, 2018.
While scanning a parcel, the system Robinson was using gave a positive reading for acetone peroxide, which is a major explosive chemical compound, according to the Office of Homeland Security.
Robinson relied on her training and sprang into action.
“I immediately informed Tech. Sgt. Demarcus Pettiford, the NCO in charge, and began taking force protection actions to secure the area and all accountable pieces of mail,” she said. “After securing all accountable items in safe one and two, the equipment was sterilized and the process repeated. Again, we received an alert for possible explosives. At this time, we began to evacuate the mail center and notified Col. Thomas Stady, 60th CS commander, who in turn, proceeded to assist in the evacuation process.”
Simultaneously, Pettiford made the call to the Emergency Communications Center. Within minutes an explosive ordnance disposal unit arrived on scene.
“Four buildings were evacuated and most of the area surrounding the mail center was closed off,” said Robinson. “Emergency response teams showed up and executed their respective responsibilities flawlessly. After three and a half hours, the all clear was given.”
Robinson credits her team’s ability to properly respond to a potentially dangerous situation to their training.
“I believe the training I received helped me (and our team) remain calm and handle the situation properly” she said. “At times like these, one has to depend on their training.”
Pettiford said his team may be tiny, but it is mighty.
“I’m extremely proud of the team that I serve with,” he said. “Even though we are small, we accomplish much.”
“That day showed me that the threat is always out there and to always be vigilant; the importance of paying attention to detail,” said Robinson. “Also, one never knows when their training will be put to the test.”