News

Reserve Airmen to care for the fallen, possibly for the last time

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Minnette Mason
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Five Airmen from the 446th Forces Support Squadron, Services Flight will deploy this weekend for what could be the unit's last opportunity to support Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

After this deployment, Senior Airman Leatha Brown, Tech. Sgt. Loren Wells, Senior Airman Nathaniel Engen, Senior Airman Seth Ruble, and Senior Airman Jeremy Roque, all services specialists from the 446th FSS/SVF, may no longer be tasked for this specialized operation, according to Renee Houey, Services Readiness Program analyst at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

"We already have key personnel at the [512th Memorial Affairs Squadron]," Houey said, explaining how the 512th MAS is geographically co-located at Dover AFB. As the operational need for returning and preparing fallen heroes changes, the need for additional personnel at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, at Dover AFB, changes as well.

"Although [446th FSS/SVF Airmen] won't be going to support the mission at AFMAO, they will support other missions at other locations," Houey added.

Reserve services specialists have a broad career description that encompasses a variety of tasks, to include establishing bare base facilities. They launch food service, lodging, recreation, fitness, sports management, among other mission-essential amenities to support personnel in deployed locations. This time, however, the five Airmen were notified almost a year ago that they would have an opportunity to support Air Force's mortuary mission.

"It really does take a certain type of individual to excel, thrive and come out healthy in that type of environment," said Maj. Vanessa Gallagher, 446th FSS commander. "We were looking at them as individuals and also as a team. After interviewing all five [Airmen], we knew we had the right team."

Wells, who performs inspections for Sharpe Mixers in his civilian job, has spent about four years collectively supporting AFMAO since Sept. 11, 2001. His daughter's birthday is in December and made arrangements to spend time with her around the deployment. As the team lead for the deployment, he will supervise the other four Airmen.

"It's a tough job, but [AFMAO] has chaplains and mental health and a resiliency program. They have a lot of resources for people to talk to," Wells said. "Everyone decompresses differently. I'm just going to make sure that they know that I'm there for them."

Other than Roque, this deployment marks the first time for the other junior enlisted Airmen going on a deployment to support AFMAO. Nevertheless, Engen, Brown and Ruble look forward to the experience, they said.

According to the AFMAO Web site, AFMAO, which was originally created in 2008, "has total force support consisting of active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as Guardsmen, Reservists and civilians. A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover AFB from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in the service of the country. The vehicle then moves the fallen to the Port Mortuary at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs. Once positively identified, fallen service members are prepared for transport to their final destination as determined by the family."