‘Letters’ reach GIs at remote FOBs

[unhappycamper]

The trial program is scheduled to last through Sept. 30 or until funding runs out.


‘Letters’ reach GIs at remote FOBs
Staff report
Posted : Sunday Dec 6, 2009 8:34:46 EST

The Army has put some more “Hooah” into the speed of mail just in time for the holidays, adding a new free hybrid e-mail/mail program for soldiers deployed in remote locations in Afghanistan.

As of Tuesday, a pilot program, HooahMail, allows friends and family members to send secure e-mails with photos attached, if desired, to eight forward operating bases: Najil, Mace, Vegas, Restrepo, Zio Haq, Carwile, Busmaster and Sweeney.

The program is designed to deliver letters more quickly to areas that have the most difficulty getting mail and Internet access, said Bill Hilsher, the Army’s postal program manager.

The hybrid mail system reduces the transit time usually required for letters, which can take weeks.

HooahMail is modeled in part on the Marine Corps’ popular MotoMail, which was launched in late 2004.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/army_hooah_mail_120509w/