AFRL sends care packages to deployed team members

  • Published
  • By Derek Hardin
  • Air Force Research Laboratory

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Twenty deployed Air Force Research Laboratory team members will have a bit of a brighter holiday season, thanks to some care packages recently sent to them from the Operations Support Office at AFRL Headquarters.

Over $2,000 worth of goods – which included snacks, magazines, games, and hygiene products – were collected from all nine of AFRL’s Technology Directorates and sent worldwide to AFRL team members in Africa, Central America, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The care packages were assembled by key spouses and their family members, along with some of the staff of the Operations Support Office. The goal of these care packages is to boost morale of the AFRL Airmen who are deployed and to let them know that their AFRL teammates at home are thinking of them while they are away this holiday season.

“One of the big hits with our deployed service members are snacks like Slim Jim,” said Maj. Mike Dexter, section commander of Operations Support. “This year, ConAgra Foods donated 10,000 of these snacks for our care packages. This token of their appreciation for our service members will definitely bring a bright spot to many folks downrange.”

Additional donations allowed the group to provide packages to other units supporting deployed Airmen, including the 711th Human Performance Wing, the 88th Security Forces Squadron, 88th Communications Group, and the 88th Medical Group.

One deployed team member, Lt. Col. Latisha Cooper said, “I was pleasantly surprised to receive a care package from my AFRL family. Please pass along my sincere appreciation, and thanks to everyone who contributed.”

Additionally, Capt. Nate Lehman and Capt. Josh Hardin, who are also deployed, stated, “We’re not certain exactly who put the AFRL care packages together, but we just wanted to say thank you very much! Have a wonderful holiday season!”

"Taking care of our military and civilian personnel while deployed and in-garrison is the most important thing we can do as leaders,” observed Maj. Gen. Robert McMurry, AFRL commander.  “Whether it is personally calling their spouse to keep them connected to the unit or sending their families a kind note letting them know I care, the Airmen and their families are always on my mind."