We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:45:08 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2007 - A new law that took effect Jan. 1 changes the way the remains of servicemembers killed in combat are transported and handled. The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act states that the primary mode of transportation for remains of servicemembers being returned to the U.S. is military aircraft or military-contracted aircraft. This is a change from the past, when commercial service was used to transport the remains of fallen troops. "It was a provision in the law, and I think ... there was some interest to... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:05:24 -0600 I'm with HL on this... I don't think it was thought through very well. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54928 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54928 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:12:41 -0600 In some places, that happens with the local veteran's organizations doing that. Obviously a response to the much ballyhooed failures in the system. As for the amputee angle - I know some of those guys already are on effectively permanent duty doing just this sort of thing while they go through the medical review board process. That's got to get a little wearing, I would think. As for the military aircraft side of things - the implication is clearly that there is a perceived problem with the airlines (or, more darkly, the Big Guys are annoyed with the publicity when something bad, or tacky, does happen) handling of remains. As you infer, one hopes this was staffed through TRANSCOM. Of course, it could be that a couple of Guard/AFRES C130 will be detailed to Dover and will fly what amounts to a circuit. And that would allow them to have one honor guard detailed to fly along with all the remains and handle what would amount to serial ramp ceremonies. At least that's one COA I'd lay down as a staff weenie. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54927 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54927 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 07:17:25 -0600 Military or military contracted aircraft? OK, there's a whole lot more commercial carriers out there, so this is going to slow down delivery by a good bit, I'd estimate, especially if the remains are going somewhere without a military base nearby. Only way around that would be to contract for a smaller plane specifically to deliver the remains, and that gets expensive quick. And now an honor guard instead of just an escort? Which requires how many troops each time? And those troops come from where? Actually, no offense meant to you or other medical retirees John, but maybe this is something we could bring the Old Fart Regiment out of retirement for (at least those that can still fit in their uniforms.) Or maybe use amputees who want to stay on active duty but aren't fit for deployment. It may sound like I'm being a wise ass, but I don't think whoever added this little bit was really thinking things through. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54924 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/something_you_m.html#comment-54924 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:26:20 -0600