Airmen test casualty response procedures

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Recently, the 4th Fighter Wing was chosen as the only test base in the Air Force to test a new media coverage procedure for fallen servicemembers returning home.

On the recommendation of President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates lifted the ban on media coverage of the dignified transfer process Feb. 26, leaving the decision to the families of the fallen.

Air Force Mortuary and Casualty Affairs offices developed the new system and chose the wing as the test base. The excellent reputation of the casualty affairs office here was a deciding factor in the choice, said Susie Parson, chief of benefits and entitlements at Air Force Personnel Center Casualty Services.

"The vast experience and knowledge of the wing ensured that the feedback we were provided from your team would be constructive and relevant to this new requirement," she said. "We knew the wing would work with us in harmony to ensure our process would succeed."

The exercise began with Air Force Casualty Affairs notifying the wing of a simulated casualty, said Lee Wright, community readiness consultant here who helped coordinate the exercise. The casualty notification officer here contacted the mock family of the simulated casualty and provided information about having media cover the homecoming of their fallen Airman. Casualty services here then contacted officials at Dover Air Force Base, Del., allowing media to broadcast the flag draped coffin of the Airman returning from war

"We conducted the exercise twice," Wright said. "The first time was really just a learning experience, but the second time, we flowed right through the process."

There were zero discrepancies and Air Force Personnel Center Casualty Services commended the Airmen of the 4th Force Support Squadron for their efforts.

"We want to thank the 4th Fighter Wing for their cooperation and support in establishing this new process and ensuring the Air Force is ready to meet the continued superior assistance we provide our survivors," Ms. Parson said.

The first open invitation to the media occurred April 5, when Dover Air Force Base received the remains of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers. Sergeant Meyers' family is the first to allow media to cover the dignified transfer under the new Department of Defense policy.