Team Dover supports AFMAO

Published Feb. 24, 2016
By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- This story is the first in a seven-part series highlighting the support provided to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations by the 436th Airlift Wing and other Team Dover mission partners.

It was a cold January night, and a C-17A Globemaster III had just landed after making its journey across the Atlantic. This C-17 wasn't carrying small arms ammunition, medical supplies, humanitarian aid or parts for an M1 Abrams tank. It was, however, carrying a transfer case draped in an American flag - inside were the remains of a fallen American soldier who was returning home. Waiting to greet this fallen soldier were members of his family, media, a U.S. Army Honor Guard team, high ranking military officials and numerous Airmen from across the base.

Dover AFB is an enormous transportation hub for the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command, so it is commonplace for cargo aircraft to come and go, transporting a wide range of materials, supplies, components and equipment to the American warfighters around the globe. What sets this base apart from others is that it is home to Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations and the site to one of the most earnest missions in the entire Department of Defense.

"The AFMAO mission is one of the most, if not the most important mission the DoD has," said Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "We believe in the 'no man left behind' concept. We are fortunate to have an amazing mission partner in the AFMAO team."

Team Dover Airmen are dedicated to AFMAO's mission to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen and care, service and support to their families.

"The AFMAO mission makes Team Dover unique from any other DoD base," said Grismer. "All of us know this is a no-fail mission and we will only be successful with great teamwork."

Every group and squadron on base supports this mission directly or indirectly. So on that January night, when the C-17's wheels touched down, you could find protocol in the passenger terminal escorting the distinguished visitors, or see public affairs documenting the event for the family, logistics readiness at the wheel of a bus transporting the loved ones of the fallen, chaplains offering prayer and support, and security forces providing an escort. These are just a few of the dedicated Dover Airmen supporting AFMAO's mission and sacred commitment to the fallen and their families.

"There's a natural instinct to want to be a part of this mission," said Col. Daniel Merry, AFMAO commander. "People know what we do, and they want to do their best because someone has lost their life, and there is a family that is going to be grieving."