DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- This story is the second 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 is news that nobody wants to receive, being notified that your son, daughter, father or mother have been killed in the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Upon hearing this news, these family members are soon welcomed at Dover AFB to greet their loved one as they return to the U.S. via a dignified transfer. Before their remains are returned home to their final resting place, they are processed through the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover AFB.

"When those families arrive at Dover, it may be the first time that they ever step foot on a military base and my gate guards are the first Airmen that they encounter," said Lt. Col. Dana Metzger, 436th Security Forces Squadron commander. "They really set the whole tone for how the base is going to be seen, so my guards have to present themselves 100 percent as the most professional guard force that these families have seen."

The 436th SFS is one of six squadrons that fall under the 436th Mission Support Group. The others being the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 436th Contracting Squadron and the 436th Communications Squadron.

"All six of our squadrons play a big role in this," said Col. Lisa Pike, 436th MSG commander. "Some more than others and some more visible than others."

For the 436th SFS, in addition to being the first face that the fallen's family sees, they also provide support in other facets. During dignified transfers, security forces provide security at the event, along with escort duty for the families and distinguished visitors who attend.

Furthermore, the 436th LRS provides logistical support and transportation for the visiting family members and DVs.

"Really, it is all based on the vehicle operations side of the house," said Lt. Col. Todd Walker, 436th LRS commander. "For DTs, we've gone all the way to the Philadelphia airport to pick up family members."

For the 436th CS, AFMAO is one of their top priorities.

"They are like any other customer on base, but they are a higher priority because of their mission," said Maj. Stacie Rembold, 436th CS commander.

According to Rembold, the communications squadron handles all of AFMAO's communication needs, including telephones, cellphones, internet and television.

But out of all of these squadrons, the 436th FSS plays the biggest and most visible role. On top of this, much of AFMAO's personnel are actually deployed Airmen from the FSS.

"For FSS, our enlisted services Airmen deploy in place for six months to support the AFMAO mission," said Pike. "They are on regular rotations."

At any given time, there are 12 force support Airmen deployed to AFMAO. They process the remains, conduct the dignified transfer and all around support the mission.

"We have usually 12 Airmen at a time, and around 18 during turnover, each for a six month rotation," said Staff Sgt. Rachel Cirell, 436th FSS readiness NCO. "We send our personnel over to AFMAO, we are the main unit that supports AFMAO and their entire mission."

The 436th CONS handles all of mortuary's contracting needs, which are required to successfully complete their mission. Additionally, the 436th CES supports all of AFMAO's facilities.
In all the 436th MSG provides the bulk of support that Team Dover offers AFMAO and its honorable mission.

"We wish that there would never be another DT, but if there is another one, we want them to all be here at Dover," said Pike. "I think this is one of our most humbling and honorable missions we can do; I think our folks here at Dover do it very well because they all understand the importance. It's not about us, it's about that fallen brother or sister we are bringing home and their family members."

Part 1 can be found at: http://www.dover.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123469541