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More than just a job

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bryan Swink
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  It is one of those jobs the Airmen wish they never had to do, but are honored when the mission dictates the need for their service.

As the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron mortuary affairs office, Tech. Sgt. Faafofola Limu has the important duty of leading a team of 379 EFSS Airmen who execute a Fallen Warrior Observance for fallen service members that pass through here on their way home to be reunited with their families one final time.

"Those individuals paid the ultimate price by giving their lives for our country," said Limu, deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. "We take great pride in paying the proper respects and making sure they get back to their families."

The Fallen Warrior program is the onward movement of a service member who was killed in the line of duty.

"We are notified when a fallen warrior is scheduled to arrive and we begin organizing our team to ensure every measure is taken to make sure the arrival and their stay here is properly executed," said Limu.

When a fallen warrior arrives, a six-person detail enters the aircraft to offload the member into a waiting vehicle that will be escorted to a holding area. When the member comes off the aircraft, senior leadership, crewmembers and service members from across the installation form a cordon, render a salute and pay tribute to the fallen service member. Once in the holding area, the mortuary affairs team ensures proper preservation measures are taken.

When the member is ready to depart for Dover Air Force Base, Del., the entire process is performed again, but in reverse order.

The Mortuary Affairs office has only two people permanently assigned to it, Master Sgt. Sarah Butcher and Limu. The unit relies heavily on members of the Force Support Squadron to serve on the team.

"It is truly amazing to see 379th EFSS Airmen unite from the Dining Facilities, Education Office, Lounges, Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Team, Lodging, Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Command Section to form a Fallen Warrior detail," said Lt. Col. Eries L. G. Mentzer, 379th EFSS commander. "We pause from our primary expeditionary mission, form as a seamless Fallen Warrior detail, flawlessly honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and then return to our workcenters supporting the accountability, sustainment and regeneration of service members on the installation. It is my most humbling, heartbreaking and proud moment as a commander."

In addition to the Fallen Warriors program, the mortuary affairs office is responsible for taking care of remains when individuals pass while here on base or in the local area. If an incident occurs, a team is sent to recover the member and return them back to prepare for transfer back to the United States.

"A lot of different agencies get involved when someone passes on base," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Johnson, 379th EFSS Superintendent. "We work with the Host Nation Coordination Cell to ensure our host-nation partners are aware of the situation. We make sure everything is in order to ensure the remains can be taken back to the states as quickly as possible."

The Mortuary Affairs team has historically supported approximately 25 uploads or download transfers a month. The team treats each transfer with the utmost importance.

"I am honored to be one of the few lead carriers in our squadron," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Matheney, 379th EFSS command support staff noncommissioned officer in charge. "I feel this is the best way I could be directly involved with what's going on downrange and am honored to serve these service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's a very humbling, unforgettable experience."

The 379th EFSS takes great pride in executing the installation's Fallen Warrior program. The wing recently achieved approval from Central Command to serve as a defacto Theater Mortuary Evacuation Point, which allows the installation to bypass Kuwait and expedite the movement of Fallen Warriors transiting to Dover AFB. This simple policy change saves approximately two days of transition time from the installation to the family awaiting a dignified transfer.

"Being in the (area of responsibility), this is the best part of my job - taking care of the fallen warriors," said Limu. "I put my all into this program because we are taking care of our brothers and sisters who gave their all for our country. They deserve my all."