Distortions Dishonor Those Who Care For the Fallen

In an attempt to paint the current administration as duplicitous and hypocritical, some on the left have made issue with the use of commercial airliners to transport the fallen. To the point where some are accusing President Bush of treating them like "freight".

The administration does not dictate or micromanage to the Department of Defense in their policies for transporting the dead, therefore the claim of the administration's "duplicity and hypocrisy" is completely unfounded. The misguided belief to the contrary is not surprising because some caring people are mislead by their masters, and probably don't have easy access to our regulations. I will provide them for you so you can see and believe.

Joint Pub 4-06, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Mortuary Affairs in Joint Operations (28 August 1996) provides the general guidance for the evacuation of remains. Here are some of the instructions we follow...note: this is not micromanaged by the White House because it isn't their business:

"The exact number of fatalities that US military forces will suffer across the range of military operations can never be predicted beforehand. Therefore, mortuary affairs support plans at all levels should be capable of adjustment to meet unanticipated situations. Plans should be reviewed and amended as new facts become available, resources change, and other variables become apparent. Mortuary affairs support plans should be kept simple, be achievable, and provide timely and useful information to those involved."

The regulation (not politicians) gives us instructions on the proper care of remains:

"Upon arrival of transportation, load the remains on a first in/first out basis to the extent possible. Ensure that the remains are handled in a proper and reverent manner. Carry remains feet first and face up. Position remains in such a manner that prevents the stacking of remains. Secure remains in such a manner that prevents shifting during movement."

The regulation (not President Bush) establishes something known as the Theater Mortuary Evacuation Point (TMEP) that conducts all evacuation operations:

"The TMEP is task organized to provide the following capabilities:
(1) Receive remains and accompanying PE from any theater location;
(2) Perform quality assurance checks on existing documentation and/or to initiate, complete, or obtain required processing documentation;
(3) Prepare remains for evacuation and/or to hold and refrigerate remains until transportation out of the theater can be arranged;
(4) Coordinate for aircraft and initiate all required shipping and special handling documents; and
(5) Load, palletize, and tie-down transfer cases and transport pallets to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) cargo special handling area."

"Locate the TMEP at or adjacent to a major aerial port of embarkation. This arrangement will capitalize on all available aircraft and corresponding logistical support. Additional TMEP might be established at other aerial ports of embarkation throughout the theater based on the following factors:
(1) The geographical size, population, and location of units in the theater;
(2) The projected number of remains and the availability of aircraft to evacuate them; and
(3) The operational concept and scheme of maneuver for all units in the theater."[emphasis mine]

As you can see the responsibility for scheduling aircraft belongs to the military (not the administration), is governed by regulations, and driven by availability (not the secret, evil conspiracy government who brainwashes us into treating our brothers like "cargo").

Finally AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 34-242

(This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 34-2, Air Force Community Service Programs, Joint Publication 4-06, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Mortuary Affairs in Joint Operations 28 Aug 96, DoD Directive (DoDD) 1300.15-D, Military Funeral Support, 11 Jan 01, DoD Directive 1300.33, Mortuary Affairs Policy, 3 Feb 00, DoD Directive 1344.8-D, Interment Allowance for Deceased Active Duty Personnel, 25 Sep 78, and DoD 4515.13-R,Air Transportation Eligibility, Nov 94, by providing guidance for remains disposition of Air Force and other eligible personnel, identification of remains, military funeral honors, guidance and procedures for search and recovery (S&R), government cemeteries and headstones, government mortuary facilities, procurement of supplies, contract mortuary services, case file maintenance, records administration and disposal, and reimbursable supplies and services. All Air Force military and civilian personnel (includes Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) units and members) must comply with this publication.)

Says in Paragraph 2.27

"Transportation of Remains from OCONUS [Outside the Continental United States]. Remains will be transported from the place of death to the nearest OCONUS mortuary facility by military airlift, if available. Remains located in Greenland, Antigua, Ascension, Lajes and locations in Latin and South America will be shipped by military airlift directly to the Dover Port Mortuary whenever possible. Some OCONUS locations may require coordination between HQ AFSVA/SVOM, the losing unit, the Air Tactical Operations Center (ATOC) and in some cases, commercial mortuary services and airlines."

Sorry so lengthy, but I thought instead of the Left flailing out against the machine unnecessarily, I would show them how things can be distorted by those who are too blinded by ideology to see the truth. The truth is that mortuary affairs is established doctrine. The use of commercial air is allowed and more preferable than letting the body decompose. Read all the publications listed above to see for yourself.