Officials are still trying to figure out why two US postal workers and an airman became sick while handling mail early Wednesday at Scott AFB, Ill. All three were sent to the hospital and later released after “experiencing adverse reactions to handling mail,” according to a base release. Fourteen others were decontaminated on site. The postal center, education center, bowling alley, information tickets and tours office, and the airman family readiness center all were evacuated. As of Thursday afternoon, the postal center remained closed; however, officials had reopened the surrounding buildings. Bio-environmental specialists at Scott and explosive ordnance disposal technicians “found nothing of significance at the official mail center,” although US postal inspectors continue to investigate. “Our personnel are safe and the buildings in which they work have been declared safe and we will proceed with normal business tomorrow,” said base commander Col. Michael Hornitschek. He added, “We view this as an isolated incident that could have happened any particular day in any particular mail center” in the Air Force. (See also Associated Press report via the Sacramento Bee.)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
