Some gave some some gave all

Published Dec. 16, 2011
By Ann Skarban
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Dignity, honor, respect for the fallen. Care, service and support for the families.

That was the mission of three Air Force Reservists from the 302nd Force Support Squadron who deployed to Dover Air Force Base, Del. February through August of 2011.

Services Journeymen Staff Sgt. Richard Crutcher and Senior Airmen Wendy Oregon and Kayla Penn volunteered for an Air Expeditionary Force deployment that would take them to Dover AFB to do an important job and would also offer a life-changing experience supporting Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations.

According to the Dover Air Force Base web site, the primary mission of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations is to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen and care, service and support to their families.

While at Dover the three 302nd FSS Airmen quickly became part of the team holding specific jobs within AFMAO and made important contributions to ensure each returning service member and their family received the proper return, respect and care. During their six-month deployment 331 service members, including members of the Navy SEAL Team 6 who were killed when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, returned through the AFMAO.

The deployed Air Force Reservists held duties such as dignified transfer support, dress and wrap and family support. A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the Port Mortuary. The dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team of military personnel from the fallen member's respective service. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member's service presides over each dignified transfer.

Staff Sgt. Crutcher was assigned as a driver for the dignified transfers. Describing his experience he said, "It was very honorable to help - to try to lessen the blow to the family and to make sure in the final stage of taking care that the uniform was perfect and to ensure the care and handling was right."

Penn, who amongst her many duties at Dover, was assigned as a transfer vehicle guide for several dignified transfers during her deployment. She noted the high level and number of meticulous details that were part of their comprehensive training to ensure every movement within the transfer was completed with utmost dignity and respect.

"It felt good to know they [the service member's families] really appreciate what we do. We knew our work was appreciated and meant a lot to them," said Penn.

"It was very honorable, and sad with family," said Oregon describing her experience at Dover. "I know I did something important. It was an honor to bring the fallen home and to their families."

After having this experience, Oregon is now thinking about a civilian career in mortuary affairs. Oregon worked with the team charged with preparing the fallen members for transfer to their final resting place. She was awed with how every single detail within preparation from uniform and appearance to medals was handled.

The Reservists said that while at times the sadness and tragedy of this duty weighed heavily on their minds, they were helped by the resiliency program offered at Dover. The gym, U.S.O. and counselors available gave them the assistance they needed to cope with the experiences they had and the difficult feelings they had. The Reservists said they became close with the entire team at Dover - close to those who were working together sharing this common experience.

All three said they would return to Dover to support this important mission if called upon again. They were proud of their service and proud to be part of our nation's dedication in ensuring each returning service member was brought home with the utmost dignity and respect.

Crutcher summed up his experience by saying, "For me, I learned standing up and doing something broadens you spiritually, and it does a lot for you to give something back when others have given their all."