For the fallen and their families

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  All Air Force careers start with the same solemn promise, but there is no way to tell how they will end. When Airmen take the oath of enlistment, they are aware others who have made the same promise, sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

When an Airman falls, there is a team of people working to honor them long before the American flag is handed to family members and the quiet words are given in appreciation on behalf of the president and the nation.

Mortuary affairs personnel from the 301st Sustainment Services Flight and others from the Casualty Assistance Support Team work to make sure every detail is attended to in a time of tragedy. The clock starts ticking from the time of initial notification. The appointed officer has just hours to get to the family's home and deliver the news no loved one ever wants to hear.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Graciela Vargas, superintendent of the 301 SSF, the most rewarding part of the job is taking care of the service member, so that when the family sees their loved one, they are perfectly dressed in their uniform.

"It's rewarding. It's humbling. It's an honor to send that fallen member home to their family with dignity" said Vargas.

Vargas explained that in order for mortuary affairs personnel to give detailed attention to the fallen, they must go through training at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. During training, attendees learn what it takes to prepare Airmen for their final journey home. Procedures trainees observe include taking x-rays, photographs, and fingerprints, among others. They also learn autopsy room procedures, how to clean personal effects, and what it takes to prepare new uniforms with updated rank and decorations.

According to Vargas, Mortuary affairs is a small piece of the services career field that not a lot of people like and not a lot of people want to do. So it's not pushed on anybody, but a little bit of training about it is given in technical training school.

When a service member dies, whether due to wounds sustained in battle or from a car accident at home, the goal of Mortuary Affairs is the same, to take care of the fallen and their families.

All 301 FW active duty deaths are routed through Dyess or Sheppard Air Force base, Texas. Entitlements of the deceased and other details are also handled by personnel from one of the active duty bases. Personnel from the 301 FW assist as needed.

If the death occurs at home, then more details are handled by 301 FW personnel.

Master Sgt. Roger Mitchell, a 301st Military Human Resource Specialist, also assists mortuary affairs as a casualty assistance representative. He supports the next-of-kin and other designated beneficiaries of the deceased member by providing counseling regarding rights, benefits and entitlements.

Mitchell says, it's rewarding knowing the Air Force is helping families in every possible way during their time of need.

"Everyone serving in uniform should have an opportunity to serve as a Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR)."

At the end of an Airman's career, recognition may be given for various accomplishments and honorable deeds. Mortuary affairs personnel honor the fallen by preparing them for their final journey and assisting their family members. By doing so they express appreciation for those who die so that others may live in freedom.