Free laundry service improves morale, work efficiency Published Dec. 7, 2012 By By Senior Airman Joel Mease 379th Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Twelve-hour shifts on the flight line can be taxing not to mention the need to find the time for fitness, educational opportunities, eating and of course communicating with loved ones back home - where does one find the hours needed to do laundry? Fortunately the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron has the answer with a simple three-day turnaround. The free laundry service, located next to Memorial Plaza, allows service members the opportunity to have one less thing o their to-do list. "It's an easy and convenient way service members can drop off their laundry and pick it back up cleaned in 72 hours without having to wait in line for a washer or dryer or spend their regeneration time doing laundry," said Lt. Col. Eries Mentzer, 379th EFSS commander. "There is no fee unless you request starch or have an unusual item you need to be cleaned. It also reduces the amount of energy and water used by the installation." No service member should fear that their laundry won't be taken care off, as the contracted provider takes every effort to make sure every piece of laundry dropped off is returned to the customer. "Every item is tagged and sent off base to a first-rate facility to be processed," Mentzer said. "Approximately 48 to 72 hours later, the laundry is back on base and ready for pick up by the member." However; if anything is missing, the laundry service has steps in place to right the situation. "If any linen or laundry item is missing from a delivery, the contractor, on the same day the shortage occurs, issues an IOU (shortage) ticket to be redeemed by the end of the next regularly scheduled delivery," Mentzer said. "Any item not delivered within three days from the original scheduled delivery date will be considered lost. The contractor reimburses the government or individual owner the replacement cost of the item or $50, whichever is less." The laundry service has even earned praise from 379th AEW leadership. "I had the opportunity to view the drop-off laundry headquarters operation," said Col. Stephanie Wilson, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. "I was thoroughly impressed with the process of the service and the care the company has for each garment. I saw a highly efficient operation that not only supports (the 379th AEW community), but also the top-rated hotels in the area. What impressed me most was the company takes an eco-friendly approach and is certified to the same standards we require in the United States." Service members can take advantage of the laundry service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only thing required is their DoD identification card, and of course the dirty laundry.