KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Free-mail privileges for U.S. military personnel and designated civilians in some areas have been terminated, but will continue in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, the secretary of defense ended free-mail benefits for people in 12 areas: Diego Garcia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Turkmenistan.

According to a 1986 executive order, the defense secretary can authorize or terminate free mail privileges to those supporting military operations. People authorized to use the benefit can mail letters, postcards and packages of up to 13 ounces, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

A 2005 task force report by the Defense Department found that the free mail service cost more than $5 million that fiscal year.

Here are the locations, regarded as war-related, that offer free mail: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Macedonia, Montenegro, Qatar, Serbia, the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo on the southern Philippine island of Sulum.

Also included are ships in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the portion of the North Arabian Sea north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude.

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